Companies will be contacted for compensation
Managing editor
Marion County is not pleased with the workmanship of 6 miles of county roads that were sealed last year by Blevins Asphalt Construction Company, Inc.
County Road and Bridge Superintendent Jim Herzet told the commission March 31 that he had reviewed the county’s warranty and wants County Attorney Susan Robson to send the asphalt company a letter, informing the company that the work completed on Limestone and Timber roads was not satisfactory.
Herzet said the “center of the road had failed.” The county supervisor will also notify engineers Kirkham Michael, Inc., inspectors of the project, about the damage.
The commission reviewed costs of having county employees prime and seal Lakeshore Drive at Marion County Park and Lake and 2 miles on 90th Road. It was estimated it would take four weeks and seven to eight employees to complete at a cost of $25,000 to $30,000 for labor.
Buildex road material will be used. It will cost more but should last longer than other methods.
Ten miles of roadwork will be completed near Peabody and Herzet asked if the hauling of 14,000 tons of materials could be contracted. The commission gave permission for him to do so.
The former landfill needs to be mowed and Herzet asked if a batwing mower could be rented to complete the work in more timely manner. Later in the meeting, Herzet said renting such a mower was not an option but a used mower could be purchased. The commission suggested an advertisement be placed to solicit bids for mowing the site. The bids would have to be returned by Monday with mowing completed by April 23.
In other business:
Sales tax receipts continue to decline compared to the previous year. January sales were $43,005, a decrease of more than $16,000 from the same time period last year.
A new personnel policy manual will be created. The current manual is 13 years old. County Clerk Carol Maggard will contact attorneys that specialize in drafting such documents.
A three-year contract with the City of Florence was approved for solid waste removal from county-owned Dumpsters at Marion County Lake. There would be monthly fuel adjustments in 50 cent increments should fuel increase to more than $3 per gallon.
Cardie Oil Company of Tampa won the fuel bid for two areas for a total of $6,826 for 2,950 gallons of fuel. Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro was the low bidder for two other areas at $8,325 for 3,600 gallons of fuel.
Much of the meeting was spent behind closed doors with no decisions when the commission returned to open session. The following were for the purpose of discussing personnel — Maggard 10 minutes, Herzet five minutes, County Department on Aging Coordinator Gayla Ratzlaff 10 minutes, Commission Chairman Randy Dallke five minutes, and County Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman a total of 25 minutes. A total of 20 minutes was behind closed doors with Robson, Maggard, Assistant Clerk Tina Spencer, and attorney David Cooper on the telephone for matters of personnel and attorney-client privilege.