Retrial of murder case may cost county
Marion County Attorney Susan Robson informed Marion County Commission Monday a retrial of a 1988 murder case may cost the county a considerable amount of money.
Robson said the services of an attorney who specializes in DNA testing will be required in the Goessel murder case. The commission agreed with Robson.
The commission discussed county road improvements with Gerald Kelsey, road superintendent, and Jim Herzet, road supervisor.
Kelsey requested direction from the commission for summer road projects.
Kelsey suggested rock be used in place of buildex to do 13 miles of road, with an estimated savings of $29,000.
"I was expecting buildex on the roads," commission chairman Leroy Wetta said. "I can't get real excited about using buildex on highly traveled roads and rock on less traveled roads."
Kelsey explained some of the roads had been completed as planned and, by saving money, was trying to find ways to do more roads.
Improvements to county roads Nighthawk, Indigo, and 290th were discussed.
Wetta had presented a proposal during last week's meeting to the other commissioners for road maintenance and replacement.
"I've studied your proposal, Leroy, and I don't think we're going to be able to continue to build chip and seal roads to hold heavy equipment," Collett said. "I want to see improvements on highways being used by those supporting the county. Within two years, chip and seal roads will be torn up by the heavy equipment. How are we going to do it?"
Wetta asked if capital improvement funds should be used for Nighthawk. He added materials for Nighthawk need to be the best available.
"Indigo is showing signs of wear," commissioner Bob Hein said, adding there was additional traffic on the road.
Kelsey said the last traffic count in 2002 indicated 422 vehicles daily on Indigo and 376 vehicles daily on 290th.
Consensus from the commission was for road and bridge to repair the worst road first.
Road repairs that have been budgeted are 13 miles of chip and seal, 13 miles of asphalt overlay, and 38 miles of fog seal.
The commission approved an agreement with the state regarding an 80/20 grant for an underwater bridge inspection. The county's share will be approximately $800.
A second bridge will be replaced by county road 160th.
Motor oil bids from Cardie Oil Company were approved at $4.155 per gallon for 50-gallon and 30-gallon drums.
In other business:
— Diana Carter-Frantz, county appraiser, reported Internet inquiries had increased 200 percent in February.
Carter-Frantz said there were 166 tax appeal hearings with 81 percent or 134 being changed. Personal property tax statements have been mailed. Oil and gas notices will be mailed by the end of May.
The commission approved the appraiser's offices being painted with money in the budget for the $800 expense and a computer purchase from Great Plains Computers for $847.
— Carol Maggard, county clerk, said the reimbursement of $20,500 to the sheriff's department has been received for patrolling the reservoir.
— Vouchers for a walking trailer for the transfer station, an oil distributor for road and bridge department, and car tag for a sheriff's vehicle were approved.
— A 10-minute executive session for attorney-client privilege was approved. Robson and county sanitarian David Brazil met with the commission.
Following the session, the commission authorized Brazil to move a lagoon at the county's expense of $2,000. The lagoon, near Antelope, is located on a road easement.
— The commission approved payment of $2,000 to EMC Insurance Companies for the deductible in relation to the defense lawsuits regarding the closure of the former county landfill. Defense of the lawsuits was covered under the county's Linebacker Policy. Payments have been made to Steve Pigg by EMC in the amount of $108.471.
— Department budgets were reviewed for April.
"Most departments are within the allowed 33 percent," Maggard reported. The sheriff's department is at 36 percent "but is improving," Maggard said. The county attorney has spent 41 percent.
— Brazil requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. Following the session, the commission authorized Brazil to implement the heavy equipment operator II position description.
— Brazil said protest petitions have been filed by landowners regarding the approval of a conditional use permit for a retail tree farm.
