WICHITA CO. ( KFDX/KJTL ) — More questions and frustration arose in the Wichita County Commissioners Court meeting on Tuesday, April 30 concerning delayed payments.

This time, it involved the $1.50 fee collected in the tax collector-assessor’s office for vehicle registration for child safety programs for local cities, such as crossing guard safety.

Tax collector Tommy Smyth said the item was on the agenda because the City of Wichita Falls inquired in March and again in April about why they had not received their share of that fee.

Smyth said it was not his office’s responsibility to disburse the funds but that his office was willing and able to take care of it if the commissioners so chose. He said they have been collected since December and have been disbursed to the county treasurer, and they still have not been paid to cities.

One commissioner referred to a meeting held last September and the understanding then was that the auditor would distribute the fees.

Smyth forcefully reiterated his office was not responsible for distributing or being involved in payment at any time, regardless of what a recent email from the auditor may have stated.

He told commissioners such problems have become all too common in the county, and in this case “it reeks,” and said it may need to be referred to a state enforcement division for investigation.

To resolve this issue, commissioners moved and unanimously approved having the tax office develop a payment system and schedule to distribute the fees.

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