Hill County Commission looking to get marijuana tax on the 2022 ballot

The Hill County Commission is working toward putting on the 2022 election ballot a 3 percent tax on recreational marijuana sales in the county.

At the commission’s weekly business meeting Thursday, Hill County Commissioner Jake Strissel said they were originally under the impression that they could implement the tax with a resolution, but has since learned that the tax would need to be approved by the voters.

Strissel said they are drafting a resolution to have the tax put on the 2022 general election ballot, but they still need some time to draw up final language for that resolution, so the matter was tabled.

Hill County Clerk and Recorder Sue Armstrong said there are some aspects of noticing process for this vote that she’s confused about and she’s waiting to hear back from fellow clerk and recorders from other counties to get clarification.

Hill County Treasurer Sandy Brown said she asked the commissioners to let her be part of discussions about the tax a long time ago so she can more easily implement collection methods for the tax, but she was never consulted before this meeting.

Strissel apologized for the lack of communication on the matter and Armstrong said she would keep Brown in the loop on the aspects of the tax she’s waiting to hear back on.

The commission also appointed Willie Langel to the Hill County Council on Aging Advisory Board.

Strissel said he thinks they’re a good pick for the position, an appraisal that fellow Commissioner Mark Peterson agreed with.

“I feel she is a strong candidate,” Strissel said.

The commissioners also discussed approving the Hill County Council on Aging to contract with a grant writer to help them get a $250,000 grant to expand their operations into Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation.

Strissel said language on this is still being worked out and the commission isn’t ready to take action on it yet.

The commission also voted to change their insurance agency for workers’ compensation and property insurance from Koefod Agency to PayneWest Insurance.

Strissel said they county’s insurance committee recommended this change after examining what will get the county the best services at the best rate.

He said the county has a lot of claims and PayneWest will dedicate a team to work on them.