County receives grant to clean, repair courthouse
Marion County has qualified for a $90,000 grant to clean and repair the courthouse, it was announced Monday at the county commission meeting.
Kansas State Historical Society officials sent a letter to commissioners, saying the Kansas Heritage Trust Fund grant was approved.
The county will provide matching funds totaling $29,900. The money will be used to clean the stones, repair any cracks, and replace mortar as needed.
Paperwork will start almost immediately, but the project itself won't begin until the summer of 2003, said Clerk Carol Maggard.
Juvenile justice grant
Commissioners approved an application for a grant from the Kansas Juvenile Justice Authority.
The grant would provide $40,000 for treatment of juveniles suspended, expelled, or at high risk for either.
There is no cost to the county. The funds will be used by Prairie View to provide counseling to adolescents and families.
The goal is to decrease suspension and expulsion, reduce juvenile court filings, and reduce substance abuse by juveniles.
Linda Ogden, who will administrate the program through Communities In Schools of Marion County, said similar grants have been used in Harvey and McPherson counties with great success.
In other reports:
The City of Tampa, and Clark and Blaine townships, sent letters requesting the county establish a fire district covering that area. Commissioners approved the request pending a review by Susan Robson, county attorney.
Commissioners approved an agreement with the Office of Local Government at Kansas State University to do a comparison study of revenue and expenditures in the county. It will compare Marion County budgets with those of similar counties. There is no cost for the study.
Commissioners approved purchase of eight floor mats for the public entrances at a cost of $1,672. The county had been leasing the mats. Cleaning them is now the county's responsibility, but it is more cost-effective, Maggard said.
Cost to pour a new sidewalk along the east side of the parking lot was about $2,000, it was reported. The east entrance to the lot has been closed now that Library Street is open.
Attorney Robson presented a request that the commission consider improvements to the overall electrical system. Constant low voltage problems in the courthouse may be due to the circuit board. Commissioners said they would look for a long-term solution.
Due to the holiday, commissioners will not meet Monday. They will hold their regular meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
