County treasurer?s office does $40M in business in 2015

BY BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

It is not a well-known fact that the Henry County Treasurer?s Office collects more revenue than most of the businesses in the county.

In 2015, the treasurer?s office collected $40,160,589.84 in taxes, licenses, fees, etc., according to Ana Lair, county treasurer.

Lair presented some facts and figures from her office?s activity to the Henry County Board of Supervisors Thursday during her fiscal 2017 budget presentation.

Of the $40 million collected, $34.58 million was in property tax and money received by any other county departments. Driver license collections accounted for $106,175. Sales tax on new and used vehicle purchases came to $2.11 million and the remaining $3.35 million was in title, license, registration and lien fees for motor vehicles.

Lair said her office gave 192 driving tests in 2015 and issued 5,252 driver licenses and IDs. About 10 percent of driver?s license customers are from out-of-county residents, she stated.

She noted that her office is seeing more young drivers opting not to take driver?s education courses offered by schools and private parties. ?I think the reason that they are not taking driver?s education is that it is getting so expensive, families can?t afford it.? A driver?s license course can cost between $300-$450, the treasurer said.

In her fiscal 2017 budget presentation, Lair said she is budgeting for a new computer, salary increases for three employees and a multi-function printer. She said, however, the multi-function printer may not be needed.

?There is very little change in my budget,? she noted.

The treasurer?s budget presentation was the second one received by the board regarding next year?s budget.