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Commissioners approve contracts, MOU and grant ordinance; treasurer reports high collection rates
Summary
Howard County approved an MOU allowing interception of state tax refunds for debt collection, accepted a claims-administration contract, approved a CSI records software purchase, approved an EMA grant ordinance, and tabled the tax-bill mailing contract pending corrected figures; the treasurer reported 98.5% spring and 92.5% fall collection rates for 2025.
Howard County commissioners on Jan. 20 approved several administrative and finance items and received the treasurer's report for 2025.
Stephanie Cole of Community Corrections presented a memorandum of understanding that allows interception of state tax refunds for people with unpaid debts; the county will check lists weekly and remove individuals from interception once they begin making payments, she said. Commissioners approved the MOU by voice vote and asked for original signatures to be circulated.
The clerk's office (presented by Alan) had a CSI Computer Systems contract for $4,000 to obtain software for records and expungement work; commissioners approved the purchase and authorized signature.
Treasurer Christy Branch presented a service agreement with L & D Mail Masters, the county's vendor since 2020 for printing and mailing tax bills. Branch said postage is estimated at $20,000 and printing at just over $15,000, and that the true cost will be known when bills are mailed in April. Several commissioners said the packet contained inconsistent figures and asked Branch to return with corrected numbers; the board tabled the contract to the next meeting.
County attorney Mr. Wilson presented an administrative services agreement with JWF Specialty to administer property casualty and workers'comp claims; the board accepted the contract and authorized signature. Wilson also presented an ordinance to create a new fund for a $25,700 EMA grant (identified in the meeting as ordinance 2026 BCC-3 / 2026 BCCO-3); the commissioners moved, seconded and approved the ordinance.
In finance reports during the Board of Finance meeting, Treasurer Branch said the spring 2025 tax-collection rate was 98.5%, the fall collection rate 92.5% and the combined rate 95.5%. She also reported tax-sale revenue and interest income, and described updated depository approvals effective Sept. 9, 2025. Commissioners approved payroll and operating claims by voice vote.
Where the transcript contained unclear or inconsistent numerals (for example some spoken amounts and packet figures), the county clerk and treasurer's office were identified as the sources for the official, itemized figures.
