County hires development secretary
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission announced Monday an economic development secretary has been hired.
Teresa Huffman of Moundridge was offered the position for $2,084 per month, based on a 40-hour work week.
Prior to the announcement, a 15-minute executive session was held to discuss personnel.
In open session, the commission discussed options regarding the secretarial job title and description. Personnel director and assistant county clerk Tina Spencer informed the board that if major changes were made, and to keep in line with the county's job classification program, the information would have to go through the proper procedure of being reviewed by the League of Kansas Municipalities and the county's job classification committee.
The commission decided to make minor changes to the job description but keep the title as secretary. Commissioner Bob Hein said this would leave room for promotion.
Huffman has had experience with development, tourism, and grant writing. Currently she works at a bank in Moundridge. Her first day on the job for the county will be Nov. 1, and she will relocate to Marion County. The office will be located in the courthouse.
In other business:
— County zoning administrator Bobbi Strait informed the commission that she came across a building permit that was issued May 5, by former zoning administrator David Brazil, for a primary structure and guest house. She said there already were two existing homes on the 38.4 acres near Goessel, and there can't be a guest house without a primary residence.
There was a mobile home on the property, Strait said, but was removed earlier this year. The parcel has been vacant for more than six months which makes it out of compliance. She said she didn't know why the permit was granted and that the application had not been reviewed by the county's planning commission or board of zoning appeals.
Strait was instructed to do more research and report at a future meeting.
— The commission signed a lease-purchase agreement with Peabody State Bank for $70,545 for an computer network upgrade. The commission previously approved the purchase and solicited bids for financing from banks within the county.
A check for $3,959 to Infinitec, vendor for the program, also was approved. The expense was not included in the lease.
— A new computer server was approved by the commission for the county attorney's office. The funds are in the department's budget. The Dell computer will cost the county $3,593.
— Transfer station manager Rollin Schmidt said since the condemnation process has been completed for 3.5 acres which adjoins the transfer station property, he would like to begin installation of a fence. The area would be used for parked trailers, scale, and other transfer station equipment. Schmidt was instructed to get cost estimates and height guidelines.
— Schmidt, as noxious weed director, asked the commission if $1,257 in chemical and labor to spray the former landfill should come out of his department's budget. It was determined to reimburse the noxious weed department from the solid waste budget or risk management line item.
— Commissioner Randy Dallke requested and received a five-minute executive session with Schmidt to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro was the low bidder for transport fuel. The total bid was $16,362 for 6,000 gallons of diesel fuel at an average cost of $2.05 per gallon. The bid also included 2,000 gallons of unleaded fuel at $1.85 per gallon.
Cardie Oil Company of Tampa submitted a total bid of $16,440.
— Road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
