Staff writer

A proposed remodel of Marion County Dispatch probably will cost $20,000, architect Tony Rangel of Law-Kingdon Architecture of Wichita told Marion County Commission Monday.

A planned remodel will switch the location of dispatch and jailer’s offices, Communications and Emergency Management Director Michele Abbott said.

The move will give the jailer a better ability to monitor inmates and give dispatch more space.

The remodel would need to be done quickly because of the importance of the departments, Abbott said.

Abbott set aside $30,000 from the department’s 2008 budget for the project, Deputy County Clerk Tina Spencer said.

Rangel will meet with commission again April 6 with the project ready for bids.

In other business:

• Fire District 1 in Durham received 50 percent matching funds from the county for extrication equipment. Commissioners previously voted to provide similar matches for other fire departments in the county. The county’s share was about $4,650.
• Marion County Park and Lake received a $1,000 donation for trees, Superintendent Steve Hudson said.
• A restroom by the heated dock at Marion County Park and Lake is now in operation.
• Prairie Lake Company of Wichita was awarded a bid for floatation equipment for the walkway to the heated dock. The company’s bid was $834. Dock Builders of Florida bid $821, but service should be easier to get from Wichita, commissioners said.
• Commission met in closed session with Deputy County Clerk Tina Spencer for five minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
• Commission met in closed session with Appraiser Cindy Magill for 10 minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.