Commission to meet with mayors

By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County Commission is scheduled to meet with mayors of all cities in the county to discuss Marion County Economic Development Council bylaws.

There are two important issues relating to the bylaws, Commission Chairman Dan Holub said: apportioning votes among the cities and council autonomy.

Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine is on the bylaws subcommittee of MCEDC, and he said the proposed bylaws aren’t finished yet, making the meeting premature.

The meeting will be 7 p.m. Tuesday at Marion County Courthouse. MCEDC will meet the following day.

In other business:

• Durham City Council member Tom Harmon met with commissioners to discuss repairs to 285th Road through Durham. He said the city would like some potholes repaired. Road and Bridge Superintendent John Summerville said the county could make temporary repairs until patching material is available in the spring.
• Marion County is working with Butler, Clay, Dickinson, and Washington counties to negotiate an agreement regarding an oil pipeline that is planned to go through the counties, Holub said.
• A new groundwater testing procedure was approved for the closed landfill. The change will result in a higher upfront cost, but the county will save about $11,000 over 10 years.
• Orazem & Scalora Engineering of Manhattan will evaluate heating and ventilation systems at Marion County Courthouse. The cost to the county will not exceed $3,400.
• Park and Lake Director Steve Hudson said the Oct. 3 chili cook-off was a success, profiting $886 and drawing visitors to the county. He continues to make plans for a handicap-accessible fishing pier near the lake office.
• A contract with R&S Digital for a base map to be used by several county departments was approved. Compiling the map will cost the county $90,750.
• Regulators want the upstairs of the Health Department building closed. Hannaford Abstract & Title Co. currently stores materials there, County Clerk Carol Maggard said.
• Amber Hancock was moved from part-time to full-time work in the appraiser’s office. She will earn $11.09 per hour, up from $10 per hour.
• Appraiser Cindy Magill met with commissioners in closed session for 40 minutes to discuss personnel. The commission took no action.

The next commission meeting will be Monday.