Transfer station to receive improvements
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission approved the reconditioning of a transfer station trailer, the purchase of a used trailer, and improvements to the building.
David Brazil, transfer station manager, presented information Monday regarding the need for the expenditures.
There was $47,000 budgeted for a new trailer with the actual price being nearly $52,000. A reconditioned trailer would cost about half as much, Brazil said.
To recondition a trailer would cost considerably less. In 2004, a trailer was reconditioned for $19,000, but the trailer that would be reconditioned this year would not require as much work.
The commission also approved a bid of $11,550 for masonry work on the station building. Additional improvements are planned, including painting and sealing, and roof repairs.
More information will be obtained from Brazil regarding a fence. Brazil told the commission Kansas Department of Health & Environment was requiring a six-foot fence around the trailer storage area as part of the county's solid waste permit.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he wanted to know why a fence was required before the expense was made. Brazil said he had budgeted $15,000 for the fence.
In other business:
— The commission approved the purchase of software for road and bridge department at a cost of $3,000, and blade patching material from Koss Construction for 10,000 tons at $13.30 per ton.
— Dianna Carter, county appraiser, reported county property evaluations will not be mailed by the March 1 deadline. An extension has been granted by the state for the appraiser to mail the notices by March 25.
— Jeannine Bateman, county treasurer, reported cash funds of $7,391,062, as of Jan. 31. The amount was more than at the same time in 2004 when there was a balance of $6,888,781, but not as much as 2003 with a balance $7,546,810.
The county general currently has a balance of $1,879,632, and road and bridge has a balance of $1,214,832.
— County auditor Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd, will present a written status of the ambulance department as requested by the commission.
Loyd also will meet with department heads regarding the 2006 budget.
— County clerk Carol Maggard distributed information to the commission regarding the county's five-year capital improvement fund for roads.
— Voice mail for county offices has been installed and is operating, Maggard reported. An "auto-attendant" is available on the toll-free phone number for the courthouse. A recording will automatically pick up in the other offices as needed.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday. There will be no meeting Monday in observance of Presidents' Day.
