Input requested for county planning, development
Staff reporter
A county survey will be available for county residents to pickup and complete at city offices, senior centers, and other public facilities.
The survey will assist the Marion County Commission with updating the county's strategic plan.
The commission decided not to mail the surveys because previously when they were mailed there was a low return rate.
Questions on the survey pertain to current issues, growth and development, and an opportunity for residents to express concerns and ideas.
The survey must be completed and returned to the county clerk by Aug. 10.
Public meetings will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 22, and on Sept. 12 during a regular commission meeting to discuss the survey and the plan.
In other business:
— Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, presented findings from an annual audit of county funds.
The audit went well with no significant findings, said Loyd. Some concerns were expressed regarding internal controls. Small county departments need a better checks and balances system for handling receipts. Suggestions were made in having other county personnel check deposits, etc.
Prior year concerns included the need for a computerized spreadsheet used by the county health department for receipts and disbursements. County clerk Carol Maggard said a new computer purchase should alleviate that problem.
County policies and procedures need to be established, Loyd said, including credit card authorization and usage.
Also noted was the need to obtain custodial agreements with Peabody State Bank and Bankers' Bank of Kansas.
— The commission approved $690,000 in vouchers and payroll.
— An addendum to a contract with Jack Chapelle of Engineering Solutions was approved. The fees are for the closing of the former county landfill. Originally, the engineering fees were $35,000 but due to additional inspections required by Kansas Department of Health & Resources, engineering fees are $40,300.
The addendum also included fees for the inspections by Geo Technical Labs at a cost of $22,880.
Funds will be used from the solid waste fund.
— A neighborhood revitalization application and addendum were approved.
The addendum states all county landowners are eligible to participate. There were concerns about possible confusion for residents in cities that have not chosen to participate in the program.
— The commission reviewed an application for the appraiser's position. The commission also requested a letter be sent to Morris, Chase, and Mitchell counties regarding a shared position. Mitchell County was included because the appraiser from that county expressed an interest in serving both counties.
— Discussion was heard regarding insurance issues at Marion County Lake during the Labor Day weekend.
Marion County firefighters will use the lake hall for a fund-raiser again this year and were concerned about liability issues.
Maggard said she had checked with the county's insurance agent and was waiting for a response.
— Stan Zienkewicz of Northview Development Services, Inc., of Newton, and Ken Meier, a Harvey County commissioner, requested $200,000 from Marion County for a capital improvement project in 2006.
Currently the county contributes $59,500 annually which is based on use by Marion County residents.
NDS wants to expand its facility and provide more services. Harvey County has committed to $400,000 through a bond issue.
The commission said they would take the request under advisement.
— Michele Abbott-Becker reported grant funds for a part-time dispatcher could be used. The commission had not yet determined if there were adequate funds for the position to become full-time. A part-time person will be hired at $10 per hour to work approximately 720 hours.
— The commission approved an engineering contract for $75,000 with Kirkham Michael Consulting for road overlays on 290th, Old Mill, and Pawnee, by Marion Reservoir.
— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa and Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro shared area fuel bids.
Cardie Oil Company was awarded bids for 2,950 gallons of diesel at an average cost of $1.79 per gallon for a total of $5,261. Cooperative Grain and Supply was awarded bids for 3,200 gallons of diesel at an average cost of $1.785 per gallon for a total of $6,406.
— Roof repairs at the transfer station were approved. Ray's Roofing submitted a bid of $27,487 for the project. Transfer station manager David Brazil said the building still needed to have the cinder blocks sealed at a cost of $16,000.
Funds for the roof repairs will come from the department's general fund.
— Chemical bids were approved for the county's noxious weed department.
Markley Service of Marion was awarded the bid for 360 gallons of 2, 4-D Amine at $8.94 per gallon for a total of $3,218. Ag Service of Hillsboro submitted a bid for the chemical at $9.15 per gallon and a total of $3,294.
Ag Service of Hillsboro was awarded the bid for 100 gallons of Pasture Guard weed killer at $42.50 per gallon for a total of $4,250. Markley Service submitted a bid at $44.65 per gallon for a total of $4,465.
— Holub requested and received a five-minute executive session with Smithhart to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— The commission reviewed and discussed the budget for 2006.
A special meeting will be at 1 p.m. Thursday to review and finalize the budget.
The next regular meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday. Both meetings are in the courthouse.
