Claims committee members discussed a proposal to compile a local vendor list that includes the county’s tax‑exempt certificate and vendor tax details to reduce delays and duplicate work when invoices include sales tax.

Tom and other claims committee members said repeated claim items require follow‑up when local vendors charge sales tax; the purchaser must then request a tax removal or refund, which can delay claims processing. The committee suggested distributing a list of local vendors that have the county tax information on file so staff and employees can present it when making purchases.

Staff said the county’s tax‑exempt certificate had recently been reissued and that redistributing the certificate to local vendors and department staff could solve many of the recurring issues. Committee members also said encouraging county purchases locally would help retain sales tax revenue in Lee County when appropriate.

What happens next: staff will consider compiling and distributing a vendor contact list and the updated tax‑exempt certificate to departments and frequent vendors.