Staff writer
Appraiser Cindy Magill was reappointed to another four-year term Monday but it was not unanimous.
Commissioner Randy Dallke, who represents Marion County’s third district, voted against reappointing her because he has concerns about appraisal of homes in the southern portion of the county.
He said he thought some appraisals in his district, especially for low-end homes, were above their market values. Several homes appraised at $30,000 or $40,000 have sold at auctions for $20,000 to $25,000, he said.
“It’s not that I dislike Cindy or anything like that,” Dallke said.
He acknowledged that Kansas set rules for appraisers, but said the system did not work for older houses and those in poor condition.
“I think it’s time that our appraisers look at what’s happening locally,” Dallke said.
Magill said the commissioner had raised his concerns before, but hadn’t offered specific examples.
Appraisers are constrained by statutes about which sales can be considered when appraising a property. Sales at fair market value are required, and elaborate rules eliminate forced sales and sales to relatives from consideration.
Dallke voted in favor of giving Magill a raise from $48,048 to $49,000, effective with her new term July 1. He said he was prepared to move on from the issue of retaining Magill.
In other business:
- Commissioners renewed the county’s solid waste disposal fee for one year. The fee is $81 per residence and $132 per business unit annually. Details appear in a public notice advertisement in this week’s Marion County Record.
- Marion County Transfer Station sent 3,411 tons of solid waste to landfills in the first five months of 2009. The average cost per ton was $35.16.
- Marion County will purchase 5,000 tons of cold mix for road repairs from Hall Brothers of Salina for $121,000.
- Ginger Helmer Richter of Florence will mow the courthouse grounds for $35 per mowing. Andre Ebaben of Lincolnville bid $80, Shawn Britton of Marion, $60, and Jones Mowing Service of Marion, $100.
- Kirkland-Michael Engineers of Ellsworth will prepare bid specifications for chip sealing 28 miles of road for $6,000.
- Commissioners rezoned 1725 Upland Road, owned by Garry Dunnegan, from commercial to village. The property is the former site of Kingfisher restaurant.
- Prairie View Mental Health Center of Newton requested $65,000 for 2010, up from $63,207 received in 2009. The center provides mental health services for the county, including reduced cost services for low-income patients.
- Hillsboro Ford will replace the transmission on a rescue truck for $1,673. Midway Motors of Hillsboro bid $1,680, and Webster Auto Service of Marion bid $1,806.
- Commissioners met in secret three separate times, for five minutes each, to discuss personnel with Road and Bridge Superintendent John Summerville, Planning and Zoning Director Bobbi Strait, and Sheriff Rob Craft.