County seeks grant for solid waste management
Marion County has applied for an $84,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. It is a Solid Waste Management Competitive Plan Implementation Grant.
David Brazil, planning/zoning /sanitarian/solid Waste director, explained the grant to commissioners at their April 30 meeting.
The grant is for management of paper and cardboard, but not plastics or aluminum, Brazil said.
Most recyclable material is paper, Brazil said. This program will pay its own way, saving many tons of landfill hauling.
There are 18 grants available, for a total of up to $1 million, and 80 applicants. He should know by August, Brazil said, whether Marion County will receive a grant.
The grant would be expected to result in diversion of 5 percent of the products covered, during the first year; 10 percent or more the second year. Eventually, it might divert 15 percent or more of the paper products discarded, he said.
It would be a voluntary system, with trailers put out to receive the material.
Peabody has a good program in place that would dovetail, fit right in, with this, Brazil said.
Most county residents do not now have access to such a program, he added.
The county population is 13,366. Marion and Hillsboro have limited non-profit programs. This program would use the Marion County Transfer Station.
If the grant is received, cardboard, newsprint, and mixed office paper would be accepted. Thirty-eight percent of landfill waste is paper products, a state study shows.
In Marion County, it's estimated that 30 percent of the waste is paper products.
Trailers would be placed in 10 county cities as drop-off points. No trailers would be required in Peabody and Marion.
A resolution also was approved granting a conditional use permit on six acres two miles east of Hillsboro, for a retail greenhouse. Dale and Jana Dalke will operate the greenhouse.
Commissioners authorized County Appraiser Dianna Carter to hire a temporary helper for the three summer months, at $8.50 per hour.
Carter said she would be graduating in three weeks from Wichita State University, with a bachelor's degree. Also, she's been accepted into the WSU program in public administration.
Carter and commissioners conducted a brief executive session to discuss personnel.
Commissioners approved a bid by Hett Construction, Marion, of $575 to repair a crack in the floor of the Marion County Lake Hall.
They also authorized County Clerk Carol Maggard to obtain estimates for some roof repair on the courthouse.
Cardie Oil, Inc., Tampa, won the bid to supply transport fuel, for a total of $8,079.45. This includes 4500 gallons of diesel fuel for Tank 3, for $4,576.05; 1,000 gallons of diesel for Tank 1, $769.80; and 2,500 gallons of unleaded gas for $2,733.50.
Co-op Grain and Supply, Hillsboro, won three of four bids for supplying area fuel. They were awarded the contract for Area 1, 800 gallons diesel, $663.60; Area 3, 1,800 gallons diesel, $1,494; and Area 4, $1,800 same as preceding.
Cardie won the bid for Area 2, 2,150 gallons of diesel for $1,758.05.
Transport fuel is for county trucks and other on-road vehicles, and area fuel is for off-road vehicles such as bladers, graders, etc.
