Picray highlights positive, new legislation

     County Treasurer Amy Picray presented the county's semi-annual and quarterly investment reports during the July 30 Jones County Supervisors meeting.

   "Part of the reason we do the semi-annual report is to make sure that what the county ledger shows what we have in the bank is actually what we have in the bank," explained Picray. "So we balance it down to the penny."

   Total revenues of $31.04 million are up by about $1.8 million from a year ago. Total expenses of $31.18 million are up by about $1.3 million.

   The ending balance of $20.39 million, Picray noted, is up by about $1.9 million from a year ago.

   "A lot of it, especially on the revenue side, is linked to property taxes," she said.

   With the county's quarterly investment report shows a CD balance of $5.82 million, which is up by about $206,000 from a year ago.

   The MMF (money market funds) sit at around $10.58 million. Picray noted that the MMF rates at both Citizens State Bank in Monticello and F&M Bank in Anamosa "continue to be our best rates" at 4.33 percent.

   "I was able to make the balances at those two banks more equal than they've been in the past," she told the board.

   The MMF balance at CSB is around $5.15 million, with a balance of $5.12 million at F&M.

   The county's total assets as of June 30 are at $19.70 million. Picray said the difference between this balance and the semi-annual report balance of $20.39 million is due to outstanding checks.

   The landfill's total assets sit at $2.08 million, up about $105,000 from a year ago.

   Picray is also pleased to have another MMF for the landfill at CSB in Monticello, also earning 4.33 percent.

   "I appreciate Citizens being willing to match what the county is getting for the landfill," she said.

   Picray also highlighted two new initiatives that have had a positive impact for the county.

   "We just finished our first year with the convenience fee," she said. "I'll be honest, I was always a little bit nervous that we were going to lose some business with that."

   The convenience fee is an additional $10 added for non-county residents for renewing or issuing a driver's license.

   "If they don't live in Jones County or they don't pay property taxes in Jones County," clarified Picray.

   Last July, the Treasurer's Office brought in an additional $4,060 thanks to the convenience fee. This June, Picray saw an additional $6,000.

   "It doesn't seem to be deterring people," she said. "They have a choice; they don't have to come here. But I think a lot of people realize that it's worth it."

   Picray personally made the choice not to apply the convenience fee to any veterans, no matter where they reside.

   On July 1, cross-titling legislation went into effect.

   "Not only did we realize more revenue if people do start coming here for title transfer, but also the fees for everyone are going up on title transfers," she told the board.

   A title transfer with a lien will cost an additional $30. Jones County gets to keep that additional money.

   "Based on past numbers," offered Picray, "I'm predicting another $127,000 a year in revenue. The people who are using the service are paying for the service."