Rush County commissioners approve payments, sign emergency declaration and hear finance report noting $804,000 delinquent

Rush County commissioners approved routine financial items, signed the signature line on a local disaster emergency declaration and received a finance update that flagged $804,000 in delinquent receivables.

During the meeting the chair moved to approve accounts payable for Jan. 23 totaling $543,039.19; after a second the measure passed by voice vote. The chair also presented payroll for Jan. 30 of $273,960.12 and the commission approved that payment by voice vote.

The commission voted to approve the signature on a local disaster emergency declaration; the motion carried by voice vote. The transcript does not record further details of the declaration's scope or duration.

A staff member delivered the annual finance report. The staff member said the withholding account — used for payroll — typically holds $10,258.19. The transcript records that the trust/investment pool has multiple subaccounts and that the county sent delinquency letters last week. The staff member stated, "We did have 804,000, dollars delinquent money to collect. Of that, 327,000. They are eligible for tax bills." The record shows staffing and banking choices discussed: the county stayed with its current credit-card processor because competing fees were higher; the recorded fee is 2.55% with a $4 charge for debit cards and a $2 fee for electronic check payments.

The commission also handled a procedural item tied to the investment policy and election of investment officers for the year; the record shows a motion to elect a president for 2026 and the motion carried, but the transcript contains inconsistent or unclear spelling of the name cited for that office and the record does not provide a clear, verified full name.

The meeting adjourned after the votes. Staff indicated they would circulate finalized documents where needed; no additional hearings or public comment on the listed items were recorded.