By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

With the county looking to reduce its $30,000 contribution to reservoir water quality, the City of Marion voted Monday to contribute $7,500 to help test reservoir water.

The money is crucial because it amounts to the local matching funds for a $300,000 federal grant. The county also is asking Hillsboro to contribute, Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub said.

Council member Bill Holdeman said he thought Peabody should contribute also, because Peabody buys water from Hillsboro.

Mayor Mary Olson asked whether city taxpayers would feel unfairly taxed twice. Holub responded by asking whether it was fair for Burns and Tampa taxpayers to pay for Marion’s water supply.

City Administrator David Mayfield asked whether it would be a one-time request. Funding is an ongoing concern, Holub said.

“We’re looking at a long-term project,” council member Steven Smith said.

Olson made a motion that the city budget $7,500 for 2011 for water quality testing through Marion Reservoir Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategies. Holdeman seconded the motion, which passed, 3-2. Council members Jerry Kline and Chris Meierhoff voted against the motion.

In other business:

• APAC-Kansas Inc. of Overland Park will install replacement water lines in the city for $154,329, pending verification of the bid. Ditch Diggers LLC of Salina bid $198,572; Nowak Construction Co. of Goddard, $174,179; Deep Creek Construction LLC of Lincoln, $207,377; Walters Morgan Construction of Manhattan, $159,777; and Mies Construction of Wichita, $197,505.
• The council gave Fire Chief Mike Regnier permission to sign an agreement for the fire department to be a primary rescue unit. The change will save the city money and improve response time, said Smith, who recused himself from the decision because he directs Marion County Emergency Medical Services. There will be no changes to how the department functions.
• Mayfield met with the council in closed session for 15 minutes to discuss personnel.