Low voter turnout reported for elections
Marion County Commission had a full agenda Monday, including canvassing Marion and Hillsboro city elections.
County clerk Carol Maggard reported it was a "very low turn out" for the election.
In Marion, between the north and south districts, there are a total of 1,426 registered voters, 742 and 684 respectively.
An approximate 12 percent voter-turnout was noted with a total of 121 votes cast in Marion.
Hillsboro ward one, with 902 registered voters, had 20 percent of the registered voters participate with a total of 45 votes being cast.
Hillsboro ward two, with 1,070 registered voters, had almost 21 percent of registered voters participate with a total of 51 votes cast..
One provisional ballot was not counted, reported Carol Maggard, county clerk, due to the voter not being registered. The voter is now registered and will be able to vote in the next election.
Road may be re-opened
Susan Robson, county attorney, and Jim Herzet, road supervisor, reported a Marion County landowner had requested a road be opened. The landowner is land-locked on one end of his property. There is access on one side of his property but he was requesting additional access.
Robson said the easiest way to remedy the situation would be for the adjoining landowner to provide an easement to the landowner wanting additional access.
By statute, Robson said a road can be opened by petition of a landowner or if the commission deems it necessary.
Herzet will contact the adjoining landowner for a possible easement. The property is in Doyle Township near Florence.
The commission approved a zoning change for Daniel Holub, located in section seven, township 19 south, range four east, from agricultural to rural residential.
David Brazil, county zoning administrator and environmental health director, reported he had inspected Holub's wastewater system and it is compliant.
The zoning request had been presented to the commission at a previous meeting but was tabled until the wastewater system was inspected by Brazil.
Lake improvements
Dale Snelling, director of Marion County Park and Lake, said he will be seeking brochure bids. He also has made contact with a local stone mason to repair a stone cooker at a cost of $450. The commission gave Snelling permission to complete those tasks.
Snelling also reported the need to have the public boat dock repaired. A local carpenter and an employee are willing to do it for $20 per hour per person.
It was believed the repair would cost approximately $3,000.
Internet sites terminated
Lloyd Davies of Great Plains Computers and Networking, was given authority by the commission to immediately begin the termination of county employees' personal accounts and Internet sites on county computers.
Various problems have developed in the county's computer system due to exposure to Internet viruses and mail.
Policies adopted
A written code of conduct for county employees and procurement procedures for purchasing goods and services by county departments were approved.
As part of the county's microloan program, the county is required by the state to adopt the two documents.
Treasurer's report reviewed
Maggard presented the March treasurer's report. As of March 31, cash on hand is $6,407,545. Of that amount, $1,917,680 is in county general fund, and $1,023,467 is in road and bridge department.
Interest earned to date is $17,521.
In other business:
— Maggard reviewed the status of the general fund. Transfer will be made from the general fund to the capital improvement and risk management funds.
Expenses for the first quarter for each department should be within 25 percent, said Maggard. She noted the county attorney had spent 30 percent; sheriff's department and jail, 28 percent; employee benefits fund, 26 percent; and transfer station, 27 percent.
The appraiser was at 22 percent, and ambulance at 20 percent.
— Advertising has been submitted for the public health administrator position. Ads are in the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star Journal, Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, Salina Journal, and Newton Kansan.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday at the county courthouse.
