Treasurer preparing tax bills

Treasurer-elect Sharon Owens told the Putnam County Council the treasurer's office began printing tax bills Tuesday. She said people could expect to see tax bills in the mail at the first part of July. The first installment will be due July 24 with the second installment due Nov. 11.

The treasurer's office mailed 1,864 tax sale courtesy notices. As of Monday, 939 had been paid, leaving 925 unpaid. Owens noted a property owner must be three installments behind before being eligible for a tax sale. There has not been a tax sale in the county since 2005.

One county department should be saving money after a request from Putnam County Extension Director Mark Evans, who made what he called an "unusual request." He wanted to spend less money by dropping the hourly rate of two summer employees by $2.

Evans also said there are currently more than 900 kids enrolled in traditional 4-H, which is open to third through 12th graders.

"That is a first," he said.

The rest of the council's meeting Tuesday consisted of budget talk. Each department is under pressure to cut its 2010 budget by 15 percent from its 2009 budget, which is just a guideline given by the council.

"It's going to be a hard year," said council president Mitch Proctor about 2010. "Department heads are going to have to get creative with their budgets."

Budgets are due to the auditor's office by July 2 with hearings set for Aug. 17 and 18. The council will adopt the budgets at its Sept. 15 meeting before they go before the state for final approval.