County tables decision to vacate road
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission tabled action at Friday's meeting regarding the vacation of a portion of Ulysses Road near Antelope.
Marion County Attorney Susan Robson will gather additional information for the Nov. 10 meeting.
Robson presented a map pertaining to the property which showed a road that was accessible to land owners. Leroy Wetta, Marion County Commissioner, asked if there was a permanent easement. Robson said she would check.
A portion of the road was closed by petition but not vacated. The definition of "closed" means closed to public access. Robson said that the road should have been vacated instead of closed and recommended that it be vacated.
Robson left the meeting to gather additional information and returned later with information that no easement of record was filed. Robson also reported that a 1968 survey showed a road and a 1996 survey did not.
David Brazil, county zoning administrator, said if the road is not vacated a variance will need to be obtained (for the lagoon).
"The road needs to be vacated or the lagoon moved," said Brazil.
Other actions and information presented included:
— The commission approved payroll in the amount of $622,225.73.
— Marion County Clerk Carol Maggard presented the sales tax amount of $44,759.91, which was collected in August. This amount was the highest amount collected in August in the past seven years.
— Maggard distributed a schedule for refinancing the two bond issues, as approved at the Oct. 27 meeting. Jonathan Small will draft the documents. Closing and delivery of funds is scheduled for Dec. 12.
— The commission was notified that the appraiser's maintenance plan for 2004 has been approved.
— Calculated tax statements will be mailed to property owners by next week, Maggard reported. The July valuations were $91,287,061 and December's are $91,462,319, an increase of $174,558. The mill levy in July was 50.901, December's levy is 50.798.
— The east parking lot that was damaged earlier this year by a crane, will be repaired in the next week or two. Maggard said that the machine that does both cutting out and laying out has been broken. The first two steps will be completed but it is probably too late (weatherize) for the seal coat.
— The commission denied a request for a fireworks display on Nov. 8 on 180th Road, .5 miles from the Marion city limits.
— Maggard asked the commission if they wanted a notice published in the newspaper regarding the solid waste assessments, as done last year. Consensus from commission is for county to send the notices with the tax notice only.
The first Monday of December is the deadline for appealing the seasonal solid waste assessment. Those currently appealed need to reapply each year.
Jan Moffitt, Marion County health department director, and the commission recessed at 10 a.m. for 20 minutes to executive session to discuss personnel issues. Meeting reconvened at 10:20 a.m. with no decisions.
Gerald Kelsey, Marion County road superintendent, and Jim Herzet, road supervisor, presented area fuel bids for approval. Cardie Oil Company were awarded areas one and two at .9547 and .9397 cents per gallon respectively. The Cooperative Grain and Supply was awarded the fuel bids for areas three and four at .9656 cents per gallon.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m. The next meeting will be 9 a.m., Nov. 10 at the Marion County Courthouse.
