County sends bio-terrorism report to state
Marion County's bio-terrorism response plan will go to state officials this week, county commissioners learned Monday at their regular weekly meeting.
The inch-thick folder, which includes contact numbers and recommended responses in the event of the release of a dangerous virus, must be reviewed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment before it is official.
The state is expected to respond before the end of the year, said Jan Moffitt, R.N., health department supervisor. Officials may accept it as presented, or they may order changes. Then county commissioners would review it again.
The plan was developed with the assistance of a bio-hazard committee, a diverse group which includes county officials, funeral directors, and physicians.
Though commissioners reviewed the plan during the meeting, its contents aren't open to the public, Moffitt said. Copies are provided only to those individuals or agencies who are directly involved.
"If something happens, the plan goes into effect, even if it is small," Moffitt said.
Bio-terrorism equipment and training for the county is paid for predominantly through federal funding, more than $32,000 this year, Moffitt said. This funding will continue, she said.
In addition, if the county becomes part of a multi-county region, funding grows by about $10,000, Moffitt said. Marion County officials have discussed forming a region with south-central Kansas counties, including Sedgwick and Harvey.
Each county in the region would be able to request assistance from the others. There were some concerns that in a major incident, the largest counties might refuse to turn over needed resources, Moffitt said, but each county will have its own designated supplies.
"If they had to ship something in to us, they would fly into Wichita and we would pick it up ourselves," she explained.
Commissioner Leroy Wetta, who served on the organizing committee, said he was pleased with how Moffitt and the other members developed the plan.
"The groundwork was laid well," he said.
City request
Commissioners took no official action on a request from the City of Marion regarding truck routes.
The city wants to discuss designated routes for trucks coming to the transfer station in Marion. The county is buying the station and will operate it after Jan. 1.
The city also wants to discuss the county sharing in "maintenance and upkeep" of the designated routes.
Wetta said any discussion of the matter could make the county liable for city streets near any county facility.
"We say the answer is no and that a meeting would be inappropriate," he said. "You are opening the door if you respond positively."
Commissioner Howard Collett said the commissioners shouldn't stop city officials if they want to come to a meeting.
"If we're going to preserve our inter-government relationships, we have to listen," he said.
In other reports:
Commissioners approved an update to the countywide strategic plan. The plan is updated every three years. Clerk Carol Maggard said the county hadn't made extensive changes as a result of its strategic plan. The update did reflect achievements such as the Labor Day fireworks show at the county lake.
Terry Deines of Ramona and Donna Souther and John Madron of Lost Springs were appointed to the board of the newly-formed Marion County Fire District No. 6
A conditional use permit was approved for Todd Svitak to sell used automobiles. The permit is for a three-acre lot only, and limits the property to 15 operable and 10 operable vehicles.
Planning commission member Elora Robinson, Marion, will retire from the commission in December. Collett will find a replacement.
About 1,200 doses of flu vaccine are available through the county health department, Moffitt said. Clinics are being held in various senior centers in the county. Shots are available at the health department on Wednesdays or by appointment.
Commissioners decided to maintain a massive pile of millings near Lincolnville. The pile, which comes from the ground-up surface of U.S.-77, is estimated to last five years. Commissioners said the county bought the material at a discount and they don't want to sell it.
Similarly, commissioners agreed to buy another 10,000 tons of base rock from the U.S.-77 project. The county will receive a total of 21,000 tons of rock for $30,000, about one-third of the market price for new rock, officials said.
