Meeting Minutes January 31, 2011

Centre County Tax Collection Committee Meeting

Meeting Minutes

Monday January 31, 2011

I.            Call to Order

The Monday January 31, 2011 meeting of the Centre County Tax Collection Committee (CCTCC) was called to order at 7:02 pm with Randy Brown, Chair, presiding.  The Meeting was held in the Bellefonte High School Library.

II.            Roll Call

Mr. Stewart conducted the roll call.  Mr. Bean stated a quorum was present.

In attendance were representatives from the following political subdivisions (PSD):  Bellefonte Area School District, Bellefonte Borough, Benner Township, Centre Hall Borough, College Township, Ferguson Township, Gregg Township, Halfmoon Township, Harris Township, Howard Borough, Huston Township, Marion Township, Penn Township, Penns Valley Area School District, Potter Township, Spring Township, State College Borough, State College Area School District, Walker Township, and Worth Township.

Absent: Bald Eagle Area School District, Boggs Township, Burnside Township, Haines Township, Howard Township, Miles Township, Milesburg Borough, Millheim Borough, Patton Township, Port Matilda Borough, Snow Shoe Borough, Snow Shoe Township, Union Township, and Unionville Borough.

III.          Re-Organization for 2011

A.      The solicitor, Brian Marshall, provided instructions on the election process.  Mr. MacMath of Spring Township made a motion to nominate Randy Brown for Chair.  The motion was seconded by Leah Burd from Walker Township.  Mr. Groff with State College Borough moved to close nominations.   That motion was seconded by Mr. MacMath.  Mr. Brown was approved as Chair.  Amy Farkas of Harris Township made a motion to nominate Ken Bean for Vice Chair which was seconded by Sharon Royer of Benner Township.  The motion was approved.  Ms. Farkas made a motion to nominate Kim Wyatt for Secretary which was seconded by Mr. MacMath.  The motion was approved.  Mr. MacMath made a motion to nominate Ralph Stewart for Assistant Secretary which was seconded by Ms. Farkas.  The motion was approved.

B.      A motion to appoint the firm of Campbell Miller Williams Benson Etter & Consiglio, Inc. as Solicitor for the CCTCC for 2011 was made by Thomas Sharer of Potter Township.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Burd and approved.

C.      A motion was made by Jefrey Wall of Penns Valley Area School District to appoint the Tax Appeal Board members for 2011.  The members are William MacMath, Thomas Rodkey, Robert Long, and Alternates are David VanBuskirk and Patrick Leary.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Farkas and approved.

D.      A motion was made by Mr. MacMath to appoint Citizens Bank as the financial institution for the CCTCC for 2011.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Groff and approved. 

IV.          Approval of Minutes

Mr. Brown asked for approval of the November 4, 2010 minutes.  Mr. Wall of Penns Valley Area School District made a motion to approve the minutes.  Sharon Royer of Benner Township seconded the motion.  With no changes to the minutes, the motion passed.

V.           Report from Committee Chairperson

Mr. Brown summarized the meeting agenda.  He stated that the DCED grant in the amount of $5,000 has been received.  Also, there has been a good faith effort to estimate the 2011 budget.

VI.          Budget for 2011

A budget for 2011 for the TCC was distributed.  The motion to approve the budget was taken by roll call and was unanimously approved.

VII.         Financial Report

Mr. Brown provided a financial report through the period ending December 31, 2010 for approval. He stated that the $5,000 grant arrived in January and that the exact PASBO fee is uncertain.  Mr. Groff made a motion to approve the financial report which was seconded by Norma Crater for Centre Hall Borough.  The motion was approved.

VIII.       Old Business

A.      Resolution to approve Tax Collection Agreement
         Solicitor

i. Mr. Brown stated that a vote by the TCC to appoint the State College Borough as Tax Collector for Centre County beginning January 1, 2012 was taken at the November 4, 2010 meeting.  In close review of Act 32, the officers present a resolution prepared by the solicitor affirming this appointment.  Mr. Marshall stated that passing the Tax Collection Agreement is approved by the resolution.  Mr. MacMath made a motion to approve the Resolution regarding the Tax Collection Agreement between the CCTCC and the appointed collector, State College Borough, as presented.  Amy Smith of Halfmoon Township seconded the motion.  The motion was approved.

B.      Report from State College Borough regarding transition with political subdivisions implementing in 2011 and looking to 2012

Mr. Groff stated that he was pleased with the appointment and the confidence expressed in State College Borough and promised to deliver.  Linda Welker stated that she has met with the municipalities who decided to transition in 2011.  She is working to address questions and concerns.  She has workshops set up for employers.  The on-line filing module is fully functional.  She has a test pool of employers using the system and is received good feedback.  They are developing an exclusive webpage.  Ms. Welker has met with bank officials regarding an endorsement stamp.  She has had conference calls with payroll companies and has Penn State set to distribute monthly.  Mr. Wall stated that it was good that State College Borough is being proactive.  Mr. Groff stated that there is going to be some bumps in the road since they are unfamiliar with tax payers from the other areas.  He looks forward to working with everyone.

VII.         Other Business - Discussion Items

A.      Appointment of TCC Representatives and Notification to the TCC for the 2011 calendar year.

Mr. Brown stated that if there are any changes to TCC representatives or any action necessary by the entity being represented, please have the appropriate action taken and notify Kim Wyatt, the Secretary. 

B.      Statement of Financial Interest Forms.

Statement of Financial Interest forms for TCC members should be provided to the Secretary.

C.      2011 Regular Meeting Schedule – to be determined.

Mr. Brown stated that the dates under consideration were Tuesday, May 31st and Thursday, September 29th.  Others meeting dates are to be determined.

D.      2010 Audit of CCTCC financial records.

Mr. Brown stated that the audit of the 2010 financial records should start in a couple of weeks.  He will have it for the next meeting.

VIII.      Public Comments

There were no public comments

IX.        Adjournment

A motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Groff and seconded by Donna Miller of Gregg Township.  The motion passed and the meeting adjourned at 8:04pm.