Commission clarifies position of revitalization program
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission clarified its position Monday to county resident Tony Epp regarding a countywide neighborhood revitalization plan.
The commission recently formed a committee to research the feasibility of a revitalization program. Epp misunderstood a recent newspaper article and thought the program had been approved and adopted by the commission.
Commission chairman Leroy Wetta said it was not a "final deal."
Dan Holub, commissioner-elect, was appointed chairman of the committee and was present at Monday's meeting. Holub asked Epp to serve on the committee with other residents. Epp accepted the invitation.
Epp said he made improvements to his Goessel residence.
"I was rewarded with a higher tax bill," Epp said. He said he didn't ask for help to improve his property and doesn't think property owners should be allowed tax breaks when they don't properly maintain their property.
"Don't punish me for being responsible," Epp said.
In other business:
— Mike Wederski of Eighth Judicial District, requested and received $728 for payment of liability insurance for the remainder of 2004 for community corrections employees.
The county entered an interlocal agreement with Juvenile Justice Authority and community corrections to share insurance expenses. Marion County's share is 16 percent. Wederski said the total insurance bill for 2005 has been estimated at $40,000, which would require the county to pay $6,400.
Wederski reported JJA funds were distributed by community corrections advisory board. No individual programs were funded in Marion County because no one applied.
A truancy prevention program is being planned, said Wederski. More information will be presented at a later date.
— The commission approved a computer purchase for the appraiser's office. County appraiser Dianna Carter-Franz made the request to replace a four-year-old computer. Three bids were reviewed. Great Plains Computers & Networking of Marion had the low bid of $889. HP had a bid of $959, and Dell presented a bid of $995.
— The commission approved the renewal of a contract with Robinson Trucking of Florence for hauling the county's trash to a landfill near Topeka.
David Brazil, county transfer station manager, said the company had been very attentive to the county's needs and provided good service.
The contract provides a price increase per loaded mile when gas prices increase by 10 cents. Brazil said the base was set at $2.10 per mile and the county currently pays between $2.12 and $2.14 per loaded mile.
— Brazil requested and received permission to get bids for an air lift to be used to change tires. Currently, employees use a hand crank on semi trailers to change tires.
It was clarified that as long as the transfer station has outstanding bond debt, operation of the facility was purposely kept separate from the county's operation.
— Jim Herzet, acting county road and bridge superintendent, requested and received permission to obtain bids for three ceiling fans in the county shop. Herzet said the most recent shop heating bill was $190 and thought ceiling fans might distribute the warm air, reducing the monthly heating expense.
Herzet said most of the necessary wiring for commercial fans already was in the building but had not contacted an electrician.
— A 10-minute executive session was called by the commission with county attorney Susan Robson and Jim Hefley of Marion National Bank to discuss attorney-client information. The purpose was to discuss loans between a business, bank, county, and South Central Kansas Economic Development District.
The session reconvened with no decisions.
— Robson reported she was continuing research regarding through traffic restriction on Nighthawk Road.
— A 10-day notification has been sent to the Gale Township board regarding the renewal of a cereal malt beverage license for Canada Bail & Tackle, reported Carol Maggard, county clerk.
— Commissioner Bob Hein reappointed Willis Ensz to a second three-year term on the county's planning commission.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
