Platte County Counselor Bob Shaw and Platte County First District Commissioner Tom Pryor were pictured engaged in conversation at The Landmark’s annual Christmas party Friday evening. Around 175 people turned out for the event, which ran from 4-8 p.m. at the Comfort Inn in Platte City. The newspaper provided complimentary food–catered by Maria’s Mexican Restaurant–and beverages. Those attending took the opportunity to visit with many special guests as well as members of the newspaper staff.
Preliminary numbers are indicating that Platte County could see as much as a $200,000 shortfall in revenue in the 2005 fiscal year, according to Sandra Thomas, county auditor. While many items may not have met the county’s revenue projections, county officials are pointing to one specified shortfall that has contributed to the county’s budget crunch. In March, the county was required to issue a refund of $400,000 to a business in local use tax. The business had overpaid the prior year by that amount. That refund is what county officials are now saying is the sole reason for their budget situation.
Melody Doescher, who recently resigned as alderman in ward 3 when she moved out of the ward, has placed her name on the ballot for mayor and will challenge incumbent Dave Brooks in April in Platte City. Kathy Dusenbery will seek re-election as mayor of Parkville.