Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
In the few months since Donald Peck resigned from his position as Durbin mayor to become the town treasurer, council has been working diligently to get the town’s finances in order.
At the Durbin Town Council meeting May 12, Peck reported on the current situation with delinquent state and federal employment taxes.
At the April meeting, council approved to pay half the amount due for state tax. Peck reported that he received a letter from the State Tax Department concerning the unpaid balance.
“The one that we paid half on last month, they sent us a letter where they were going to put a lien on the property of the town unless we paid it off,” Peck said. “Then, I’ve got checks to send out for the first quarter of this year. That’s the federal and the state.”
The town also owes back federal taxes but has yet to set up a payment plan. Mayor Danielle Findley said it is important to pay the state tax in order to have one less bill to worry about.
“We still do not have a payment arrangement for the federal side so the urgency is the other half of what we paid last month because we have that lien issue,” she said.
The employment taxes cover town employees, the mayor, councilmembers and town recorder.
Council approved payment of the amount due on the back state taxes.
In updates:
• Recorder Jeremy Bauserman gave a report on the upcoming election. He is organizing poll worker training sessions and said early voting days are set for Saturday, May 30, and Saturday, June 6. The general election is Tuesday, June 9.
• Council approved to appoint David Cain as town flood coordinator for the 2015-2016 fiscal year. Cain volunteered his services and has attended training to be certified as coordinator.
Cain was the flood coordinator for the 2014-2015 fiscal year and said he would volunteer his time again.
“I’m willing to do the same thing this year,” Cain said. “It’s no problem to me. The only request that I have is if we get maps or something for the town of Durbin, that you pay for those. My services, as far as I’m concerned, are free.”
• Council scheduled a work session to discuss the Region IV sewer pipe project for the town. Region IV recently sent packets of information and papers for signatures in order for the project to begin.
• Council approved to have the town garbage truck at the fairgrounds during Durbin Days Heritage Festival to assist with cleanup.
Durbin Town Council meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the town hall.
Suzanne Stewart may be contacted at sastewart@pocahontastimes.com