Tax revenues will be affected by pandemic

Taxing entities in Marshall County are taking a look at their long-term financial planning as the pandemic affects local economies and tax revenue sources. “If the restrictions of the pandemic stretch out for several more months, we are going to see the bubble effect come into play for some of our businesses,” said Blue Rapids Mayor Jerry Zayas. “Orders placed with businesses a couple of months ago will not be placed during the months of rest, causing no work for people in June through August. Couple this with no summer camps, schools and little activities for children, and we are going to have to think of innovative ways to keep people busy and somehow employed.” The five-year, half-cent sales tax approved by Marshall County voters in November to benefit Community Memorial Healthcare went into effect in April. CMH chief financial officer Dan Fehr said the tax revenue could not be arriving at a “more opportune time.”