County bases newspaper decision on 'taking turns'
Newspaper with smaller print size, fewer subscribers is awarded bid
Staff reporter
In a surprise move Monday, Marion County Commission decided to pass the responsibility of being the county's official newspaper to the Hillsboro Free Press Extra, regardless of the number of subscribers that will be reached.
Commissioners Randy Dallke and Bob Hein voted to approve a bid from Hillsboro Free Press Extra for publication of the county's legal notices. Commissioner Dan Holub voted against the motion.
According to K.S.A. 64-101, one of the points of criteria for a county-designated newspaper is to have paid circulation.
Hoch Publishing Co. Inc. has 5,400 paid subscriptions. Hillsboro Free Press Extra has 143 paid subscriptions.
Joel Klassen, publisher of Hillsboro Free Press, said at a previous commission meeting the two newspapers he publishes together met the criteria set forth by the statute.
Donna Bernhardt, managing editor of Hoch Publishing Co. Inc., the publishing company for the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, said her company can meet the criteria in one single newspaper.
The Hillsboro Free Press is a free, weekly publication that serves as an advertising flyer for the county.
A second publication, Hillsboro Free Press Extra, also is published once a week and has 145 subscribers.
Dallke began the discussion Tuesday by saying he didn't think the law pertained to Hillsboro Free Press.
Hein said he was concerned about the number of subscriptions the Hillsboro Free Press Extra had and didn't think it was adequate to cover Hillsboro and Peabody.
Holub said he was concerned about the smaller type size the Hillsboro Free Press Extra was bidding. He also was concerned with the noon Monday deadline of Hillsboro Free Press, and uncomfortable with the legalities of Hillsboro Free Press having to use a second newspaper to meet subscription requirements.
Bernhardt explained the basic pricing of legal publications are set by state statute.
Hoch Publishing Co. Inc., presented a bid of $10 per column inch for nine-point type size and a 15 percent discount for electronic submissions. Hillsboro Free Press Extra presented a bid of $8 per column inch for 6.5-point type size plus a 10 percent discount for electronically-submitted documents for publication.
County clerk Carol Maggard said she liked the working relationship with Hoch Publishing Co., Inc. and the later deadline.
Klassen said in the past, the county passed around the designation with the individually-owned newspapers.
With that being said, Dallke made the motion to "try the Hillsboro Free Press for a time. If it doesn't work out, we'll go back."
Hein seconded the motion and it passed 2-1.
The designation will go into effect as of Jan. 24.
