Suggestions flow, net few complaints at budget hearing
The Marion County budget hearing drew a crowd Monday but few complaints or concerns were spoken.
Les Kitchenmaster of Lost Springs said the county had been fair about taxing oil production.
"When the price of oil has gone up, so have the taxes," Kitchenmaster said. "When the oil has gone down, so have the taxes."
He said that he had read that costs to overlay county roads have increased 100 percent but Kitchenmaster said his oil taxes have increased 350 to 1,000 percent.
Tony Epp of Goessel asked why there were three different entries on the county's budget for road and bridge department. Commission chairman Dan Holub explained that the road and bridge fund of $2,686,970 was the general operating fund for the department, the special bridge fund was for bridge replacement projects with federal funds, and special road and bridge fund was for bridges and culverts.
Auditor Jan Nolte explained state statutes allowed for the separation of the funds.
The commission also reviewed a written list of concerns provided by Epp. Among them were a three-day work week for the courthouse to be open. Comments were made that the public expects the courthouse to be open five days a week and it won't cost any less, except maybe wages, to be open two more days.
Epp's list also included privatizing solid waste. Holub said disposal of solid waste is the county's responsibility and having a private entity involved would not be a solution.
Epp also did not want Marion County Sheriff's Department to be "errand boys for frivolous things." Holub said the county was considering agreements with smaller communities that do not have law enforcement.
"Communities should police themselves," Epp said.
Holub added only mayors or appointed personnel should contact the sheriff with concerns.
The county also was considering a program where inmates could pay their own way for uniforms, meals, medications, etc.
Another suggestion made by Epp was to pay a user fee for services provided by the county.
Commissioner Randy Dallke disagreed with Epp. Dallke said if someone was abusing services, that would be different but otherwise it was part of the service to taxpayers.
Dan Crumrine of rural Marion said equipment on county roads continues to be heavier and it was a waste of money to overlay because "they're going to be torn up anyway."
Holub said the county can't match the state's nine to 10 inches of asphalt on U.S.-77 but the county is doing a better job of patching roads. When an overlay is applied, there isn't as much work involved because the patching has made a good base, he said.
The proposed budget for 2007 was adopted.
In other business:
— Following a five-minute executive session requested by county appraiser Cindy Magill, the commission approved two positions in the appraiser's office being combined.
— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa had the low bid of $22,014 for 6,000 gallons of diesel and 2,000 gallons of unleaded fuel. Diesel was an average of $2.838 per gallon. Unleaded was $2.598 per gallon.
Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also presented a bid of $22,101 for the same amount of fuel at an average of $2.755 per gallon for diesel and $2.599 for unleaded.
— Pam Lamborn of Peabody and Kurt Spachek of Marion were appointed to the Marion County Microloan Committee.
