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Treasurer and staff propose $5 drainage district fee, $15,000 iPad reserve
Summary
Department heads asked supervisors to consider a $5 per‑parcel drainage administrative fee (modeled to raise about $12,000) and to transfer $15,000 into a special fund to replace election iPads; supervisors expressed preliminary support and requested modeling.
A county department head proposed two targeted budget measures at the Franklin County supervisors’ workshop: a $5 per‑parcel administrative fee for drainage districts and a two‑year, $30,000 plan to reserve funds for election iPad replacements.
On the drainage proposal the presenter said staff reviewed reassessment and levy records and estimated a $5 admin charge per parcel would have generated about $12,075 in fiscal year 25. "If we charge them each a $5 admin fee per parcel, what that could generate in revenue...we could have brought in $12,075," the presenter said. The alternative $2.50 charge was also modeled; the speaker noted even the higher fee would cover only a portion of staff wages (roughly a quarter of one full‑time equivalent in the model used).
The same presenter asked the board to earmark $15,000 in the special projects fund this year and another $15,000 next year to create a cash reserve for replacement iPads used at polling locations and for voter check‑in. The presenter said iOS support for the current devices will lapse in coming years and replacing all devices over two years would smooth the cost.
Commissioners asked clarifying questions about whether multiple parcels owned by the same person would be charged per parcel (answer: yes) and about how actively assessed drainage districts would be identified (answer: only parcels in districts levied for work would be assessed). No final action was taken; board members instructed staff to carry the modeled revenue into the next budget draft and said they were generally comfortable moving forward with the $5 charge and the iPad transfer pending formal adoption.
If adopted, the drainage charge would require administrative setup for collection and clear communication to affected property owners. Staff will return with formal language and updated revenue estimates before any ordinance or levy amendment is requested.
