Stoddard County Collector Josh Speakman announced Monday, February 14, 2022, that his office will handle tax collection for the city of Essex beginning March 1, 2022.
The Stoddard County Commission voted 3-0 to collect all personal and real estate taxes for Essex residents beginning March 1st.
Speakman said in a press release, "It will allow for the city of Essex to spend less time, labor and revenue on tax collection, all the while making it a one-stop shop for taxpayers, saving the city tax revenue. The County will not be out any revenue for the extra line item on the tax bill for the city of Essex residents. They will no pay online, in person or by mail to the Stoddard County Collector's office."
City taxes will be now be included with the county’s tax bill, which will be sent out each November.
The commission also voted to add guidelines for the Family Medical Leave Act to its employee handbook.
The passage reads as follows:
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: The employee must have worked for the employer for at least 12 months before taking leave.
LEAVE ENTITLEMENTS: The birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care; To bond with a child (leave must be taken within one year of the child’s birth or placement); To care for the employee’s spouse, child or parent who has a qualifying serious health condition; For the employee’s own qualifying health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the employee’s job; For qualifying exigencies relate to the foreign deployment of a military member who is the employee’s spouse, child or parent:
The employee must present the Elected Official/Supervisor a signed letter requesting the leave. If approved, the letter with the employee and Elected Official/Supervisor signatures must be submitted to the Human Resources Department (County Clerk’s Office) before payroll is due to be placed in the files.
Upcoming dates to remember
• Feb. 22 is the first day for candidate filing for the Aug. 2 primary election.
• Feb. 22 is the first day for absentee voting for the April municipal election.
Minutes were not available prior to publication.
