By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County Commission discussed options about Limestone Road which accesses Tampa during its meeting Monday.

Commissioners have sought state and federal aid to turn the gravel road into asphalt, but to no avail, Commission Chairman Dan Holub said.

Engineers have told the commission the road needs a six-inch layer of asphalt to survive the heavy truck traffic it carries. Laying down that much asphalt over four miles would cost about $2 million.

Trucks hauling potentially dangerous materials — propane, diesel, and farm chemicals — are a frequent sight on the road.

Marion County could ask Kansas to take over the road and turn it into a state highway, but that would take three to five years and wouldn’t be a sure thing, Holub said.

Marion County Clerk Carol Maggard said the capital improvement fund has about $1.6 million.

In other business:

• Maggard discussed possible savings in payroll for the next couple of years. Without figuring in normal raises, the county could save about $137,000 by allowing vacant jobs to remain unfilled.
• State legislators are proposing cutting several funds to counties. If the proposed cuts are made, Marion County could lose about $300,000 this year, or about two mills of taxes.
• Commissioners met in closed session for 10 minutes to discuss personnel. No action was taken on return to open session.
• Gene Bowers received approval for a fireworks display May 23 at 1765 Remington Road in honor of his daughter’s wedding.