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LISBON -- Columbiana County residents will soon be able to pay their real estate taxes at a self-serve kiosk outside the county treasurer's office in of the courthouse after commissioners agreed on Wednesday to approve the purchase.
Requested by Treasurer Bryan Blakeman, the kiosk will be able to accept credit cards, checks and cash for real estate tax payments if the treasurer's office chooses all those features.
Commissioner Chairman Mike Halleck pointed out that during the few weeks leading up to the tax payment deadline, lines form outside the treasurer's office. In the past, former Treasurer Linda Bolon would sit at a desk in the hall to try to alleviate the lines and keep people moving. However, the kiosk will provide another option for those who choose to use it so payments can be accepted swifter and without personal contact during the pandemic.
The machine has a safe box inside to protect the payment and the user will receive a printed receipt proving their payment has been made. Additionally, the treasurer's office will be connected electronically to receive a detailed summary of the payment so the books can be balanced.
Halleck said the kiosk will not replace anyone, however, may mean the office can work with fewer people after the next retirement. In the future, the machine also could be programmed for residents to make other payments, for instance renewing a dog license.
The purchase of the $13,000 machine through PaymentPros was unanimously approved by commissioners.
In other matters during Wednesday's commissioner meeting:
-- Commissioners approved an agreement with the Columbiana County Land Reutilization Corp for the former county home building on County Home Road in front of the County Jail to be demolished. The agreement, which said commissioners entered into it on Jan. 19, gives the Land Bank until Dec. 31, 2022 to undertake the project.
-- Commissioners approved the expenditure of American Rescue Plan Act money for the Columbiana County Airport to retrofit a current fuel tank for the future needs of the airport. According to Commissioner Tim Weigle, the upgrade completed by Advanced Fuel Systems will meet new requirements set by the Federal Aviation Administration, but extend the life of a fuel tank the airport board previously had believed may have needed to be replaced. The cost of the project is $17,308.
The ARPA money is part of the COVID-19 relief funds the county received in March and set aside in the Local Physical Recovery Fund.
-- Commissioners appointed William Helscel to the planning commission. Helscel is the chief deputy highway engineer for the county and has bachelor degrees in civil and construction engineering, as well as surveying and mapping technology.