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Single Copy Cost 50¢ Volume 148 No. 43
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Wednesday, June 22, 2016
When the levy breaks Taxation mistakes flood county board meeting
By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
HENNEPIN — The main topics of discussion at the Putnam County Board meeting on Monday, June 13, were taxation mistakes made by the county clerk and how he didn’t promptly notify board members of the error with the bond issued to the Putnam County School District. Superintendent Jay McCracken has previously stated in a press release, “First Midstate, our professional bond company, projected taxes would only be increased by $47 on a $100,000 home. Unfortunately, the county made
a sizable but honest error when calculating the taxes, and we didn’t catch their mistake until tax bills were issued.” The error was rather than being collected over five years, the full amount was taxed, resulting in the expected $47 increase on a $100,000 home to now be $235. Board members spoke to Putnam County Clerk Dan Kuhn as to why they weren’t pleased with not being notified of the mistake prior to the press and social media. “I don’t think we should have to read about it on Facebook or in the paper,” board member Luke Holly said. “Nobody on this board was notified of the error before Facebook or the paper. ... That’s unacceptable,” board member Sheila Haage said. “It doesn’t bode well for us to be sitting in the dark
when we’re the ones getting questions,” Putnam County Board Chairman Duane Calbow added. Kuhn then explained how the mistake occurred. “In the 14 years of doing taxes this was one of the most difficult to decipher bonds I’ve received from the school district, and I’ve received many of them. The problem was the full amount of the bond was put in as a levy. It was supposed to be over five years. The levy confirmation was sent to the school district with plenty of time to make a correction. Basically the district, or who ever gets the letter of confirmation, returned it and signed off on it, so I assumed it was correct. That is basically the last
Mistakes Page 3
PCR photo/Eric Engel
Mother Nature gives her many gifts to help the crops grow each year. Farmers must rely on her kindness for a bumper crop.
Gambling with Mother Nature Predictions for a warm and dry summer By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
mately 750 acres over two sites, one east of Putnam and one west of McNabb. The district offers residents programs and activities including field trips; fishing; horseback riding; camping; hiking; day camps that include art and field classes; and a new hunter safety programs which has proven very successful. The trails are well maintained, but not overly so they’re well marked and provide the occasional bench on which to sit and enjoy the surroundings. The presence of wildlife is abundant, and it’s not unusual to come across several deer or other animals during a hike.
The State Climatologist Office in Illinois and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have predicted that Illinois has an increased chance of being warmer than average for the month of July and during the period of July through September. Their reports show June has been 3.5 degrees above normal so far, and they have no indications of how precipitation will behave. On June 16, the State Climatologist Office reported the U.S. Drought Monitor had declared nearly 36 percent of Illinois to be abnormally dry, including parts of Putnam and Bureau counties. Jon Downey, a farmer from western Putnam County, spoke to the Putnam County Record recently about current crop conditions in the area. “They’re off to a good start, but the dry weather is probably starting to slow them up a bit. It hasn’t hurt it yet; the corn is still young and still growing, but it’d be nice to get more rain,” Downey said. What are his predictions for the possible outcome at harvest time? Downey said, “I’d say it’s wide open. If we get ample and timely rainfall, it could be very good, but if it stays on the dry side we could be hurt yield wise. It’s still too early to tell. The top end yield potential can still be reached with good weather conditions, but if it stays dry or becomes a drought, it wouldn’t be good.” Downey then discussed the possible results if the recent long-term weather predictions turn out to be accurate.
Paradise Page 4
Climate Page 2
PCR photo/Dave Cook
While the better known hiking areas of the Illinois Valley are often crowded to near maximum capacity, the PCCD can frequently offer visitors a more secluded and tranquil experience.
Putnam County’s secluded paradise Putnam County Conservation District is overlooked gem By Dave Cook
news@putnamcountyrecord.com
Ask people living in the Illinois Valley, or more importantly, people traveling to the valley, about where they like to hike, fish, cam, or just get outside and experience some nature, and the likely answers will be Starved Rock or Matthiessen Park. However, there’s another area that, while not featuring the dramatic landscapes of Starved Rock, offers nature without the big city crowds, the Putnam County Conservation District (PCCD). According to district president Dan Kotecki, the PCCD began around 40 years ago and is composed of approxiVol. 148 No. 43 One Section - 120 Pages
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