Fee increases probably are only partially responsible
Staff writer
Marion County Park and Lake has earned about a third more in the first half of 2009 than in the first half of 2008, director Steve Hudson said Monday.
Permit sales through June 30 were $63,924, compared to $47,208 for the same period last year. The biggest increase was in camping permits, up about $13,000.
Fee increases are part of the reason. The county raised camping fees $1, but 101 more permits were sold this year, Hudson said.
He credited advertising campaigns in Wichita with increasing interest in the lake.
In other business at Monday’s County Commission meeting:
- Eloy Gallegos of the U.S. Census Bureau urged commissioners to support efforts to increase census participation in Marion County. The census is important because it helps determine federal funding for state and local agencies.
- Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro will provide 6,000 gallons of diesel and 2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline for $17,857. Cardie Oil Company of Tampa bid $17,935.
- Commissioners approved a proposal by Kirkham Michael engineers to inspect chip-sealing of roads for a maximum of $19,500 for 13 days.
- The transfer station sent 818 tons of municipal solid waste and construction and demolition debris to Butler County Landfill in July. The average cost was $35.67 per ton, including fuel, a driver, and tipping fees.
- Countywide recycling diverted 30 tons of waste from the landfill in June and July, Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt said. Cardboard was the biggest contributor at 20 tons.
The next commission meeting will be Monday.