Courthouse News & Announcements

Courthouse News -August 4, 2009

UNION COUNTY RECORDER, Paula White, 641-782-1725.

A fall hunter safety course is planned for Saturday, August 29 and Sunday, August 30.  It is open to anyone 12 and older at no fee.  Please call the office for details.

Our office will start selling the fall deer/turkey tags on Monday, August 17.

Effective July 1, the State of Iowa added sales/use tax to casual sales of ATV and snowmobile transactions.  This involves sales between individuals.

Effective July 1, a new law concerning Septic systems went into effect.  Contact Union County Sanitarian Louie Boeckman at 782-7803 for additional information.

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative went into effect June 1, 2009.  You can apply for a passport or passport card at our office.  If you can’t apply during normal office hours, please contact my office to schedule an appointment.  Go to www.travel.state.gov for additional information. Regular passports are taking approximately 6-8 weeks.  Please apply early to avoid expedite fees.

Boaters Take Note:  Casual sales (sales between individuals) are subject to Iowa Sales Tax and local option tax.  You need a Bill of Sale from the seller, registration and a title if the boat is 17’ or longer.  Boat registrations are now on a 3 year rotation and current boat registrations expire April 30, 2010.

Boaters Take Note:  Casual sales (sales between individuals) are subject to Iowa Sales Tax and local option tax.  You need a Bill of Sale from the seller, registration and a title if the boat is 17’ or longer.  Boat registrations are now on a 3 year rotation and current boat registrations expire April 30, 2010.

The Union County Website is www.unioncountyiowa.org.  Forms are available to request a vital record, marriage application, passport application or bill of sale form.  If you have a problem with any of these services, please call the office so we can help you.

 

UNION COUNTY AUDITOR - Sandy Hysell, 641-782-1701.

 

UNION COUNTY TREASURER - Kelly Busch, 641-782-1710.
Drivers License (hours 8:30-4:00). Visit us online at www.IowaTreasurers.org

Real Estate tax statements will be mailed out this month, the first half tax is due by September 30^th.  Don’t forget that you can pay them online at www.iowatreasurers.org using either a credit card or having it withdrawn from a checking or savings account.  Be sure to check your statements to make sure that you have received one for each property that you own and also that all your credits, such as homestead and military, have been applied.  Each statement will have two stubs attached at the top.  Be sure to return the correct stub with each payment. 

Our office provides drivers licenses issuance between the hours of 8:30- 4, Monday thru Friday.  Drive tests require an appointment and are scheduled on Wednesdays and Fridays upon the completion of all necessary written tests.  Written testing can be done Monday thru Friday between 8:30-3:30.

We now accept debit and credit cards in the office for tax payments and motor vehicle transactions, convenience fee does apply.

  

UNION COUNTY ASSESSOR - Gene Haner, 641-782-1735.

Please check and make sure you have a current Homestead and Military Exemption on your property.  If you have purchased a different home, make sure you have signed up for these exemptions.

The qualification for any honorably discharged member of the United Armed Forces has been changed to be eligible for the military exemption on your property taxes. Now if you have served eighteen months or more in the armed forces irregardless of when you served, you are now eligible for a Military Exemption or if you have served for twenty years in the Reserves or the National Guard you are also eligible for the military credit. What is required to sign for this credit is either a DD-214 from the regular service or a complete listing of years served from the Guard or Reserve.

You are also required to inform this office if you have removed or built any new buildings or dwellings or if you have remodeled any buildings or dwellings.

Family Farm Credit is now a one-time sign up and can be signed at any time for qualifying owners.

  

UNION COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS - Mike King, Chairperson, Ron Riley, Vice-chair, Bob Brown, Bob Jansen, Tom McCann—641-782-1720.

  

UNION COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT - JO DUCKWORTH, 641-782-1622.

Do you know how to turn the gas/water/electricity off at your residence?  Do you know what to do in case of an emergency that would make you leave your residence?  How about how to do CPR and basic first aid for a family member or neighbor?  These are all part of the basic premise of the Union County Emergency Response Team or CERT.  The basic principles for CERT are family - first, neighborhood - second, and community – third.  If you would like to be a part of CERT training classes will begin in September.  The classes are in fire safety in the home, basic first aid, light search and rescue, and we have a line-up of excellent instructors.  Everyone  (young and old) is encouraged to participate.  This is a great project for your youth groups, faith-based groups, workforce preparedness, and anyone interested in learning more about being prepared.  For more information see the website www.unioncountyia.org\emergency or call the Emergency Management Agency at 641-782-1622. 

June and July were very busy here.  We are still taking applications for the Unmet Needs Grant.  Call the office for more information.  This is a grant designed to help fill the gaps between insurance, FEMA, and Jumpstart programs from the 2008 disaster.  We have a case manager, so applications are being processed quite quickly.  In Union County this grant has funded repairs or reimbursed residents for unmet needs in the amount of over $41,000.  This is money that is spent in our county and also keeps our tax base viable. 

Kids Day at the Union County Fair, July 21, was lots of fun.  EM sponsored a coloring contest, with flashlights as prizes.  The winners were Jacob Kendrick of Creston and Lissanne Kleckner of Afton.  The winners were selected by members of the Creston and Afton FD’s.  All of the entries were terrific and I’m glad I didn’t have to choose the winners!  I would also like to thank Connie and Derrick Thompson for participating the Afton Queens Parade and handing out CERT flyers!  You two are terrific!

You can follow Union County Emergency management on Twitter.  We are listed as UCEMA and check out the website listed above often, as I am always making changes or additions.

  

Union County has attempted to insure accurate information is posted to this site. However, Union County does not warrant nor guarantee the accuracy, reliability or timeliness of information on this site or information referenced or linked by this site.

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August 4, 2009
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