Buchanan County’s June sales tax report marked an unfavorable halfway point for the year, with a big slide in a big month.

Revenue lagged 16 percent behind the budgeted amount for the month. In actual dollars, the June income report was short by $121,606. For the year, the county’s general fund sales tax is $172,416 behind budget so far this year, or about 5.7 percent.

June is traditionally one of the four biggest months for sales tax reports. That places further importance on the large gap.

The county now has six months to make up the lost revenue, or it will have to look elsewhere for increases or cuts.

Beyond the budgetary gobbledegook, the June report puts a strong stamp on the retail economy’s weak first quarter of 2009. (The June report includes actual sales from March and some businesses’ first-quarter sales collections.)

Health department change-up

June 30 marks the end of Buchanan County’s financial support for the city/county health department.

The implications for county residents — and for city operations — are still being determined. The city plans to release information soon on what services it will and won’t offer to county businesses, homes and residents. The health department provides vaccines, restaurant inspections, septic tank inspections, animal control and more.

The county has hired a new health employee — a one-man department. More information on the county’s new approach will be available next week.

County commissioners continue to say they’re committed to being more educational and less confrontational.

Hazmat funding

dips again

The Region H Hazardous Materials Response Team had a funding scare in late 2007, and something must give if 2009 will turn out “in the black.”

Buchanan County is a leading member and by far the largest contributor to the 15-county volunteer response team.

The state of Missouri in 2007 tightened restrictions on how counties could pay for the response team, and now that issue is contributing to a shortfall, Buchanan County officials discussed this week.

While the response team’s operating budget is relatively small at $46,837, the projected shortfall this year is $14,076 — almost a third of the budget. In particular, Buchanan County officials said DeKalb, Holt and Nodaway counties have pledged less than expected.

“Buchanan County won’t cover the gap,” said Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner Royal “R.T.” Turner.

The volunteer response team provides assistance for hazardous material spills and other problems related to homeland security. It’s headquartered at 4950 Frederick Blvd.

Joe Blumberg reports on the Buchanan County government and courthouse. He can be reached at joeblumberg@npgco.com.