Valley County increases assessor’s department debit-card limit after Treasurer review

The Valley County Board of Commissioners approved increasing the assessor’s departmental debit-card limit from $5,000 to $8,000 at its March 30 meeting.

Treasurer Defort told commissioners the county does not use traditional credit cards for departmental purchases; instead, departments receive debit-card accounts with bank balances set by the board and reconciled monthly. "The county does not use a traditional credit card... we utilize debit cards," Defort said, explaining the controls and a ‘‘three strikes’’ policy for misuse.

Assessor Leaper said upcoming appraiser training would generate hotel charges of $5,364, exceeding the current $5,000 limit and potentially leaving staff to pay personally if the card is declined. "My hotel expense alone is $5,364," Leaper said, urging an increase to $8,000 to cover seasonal training and occasional large purchases.

Commissioners approved the limit increase by motion and voice vote. The board noted the action does not change departmental budgets; it only raises the transaction limit on the department’s debit account and requires continued reconciliation and receipt submission to the clerk’s office.

Staff said once a bank account limit is approved it remains in place until the board later revisits it.