By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County dispatchers had limited abilities during the weekend, director Michele Abbott said Monday at Marion County Commission meeting.

A power surge during a thunderstorm Friday knocked out 911 phones, as well as other equipment. Dispatch used administrative phones during the weekend, but they did not display extra information from 911 such as address.

Efforts continued Monday to restore full capabilities.

In other business:

• Marion County Department for Elderly office hours will be 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 1 to Aug. 28, instead of the usual 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The department is busier in the early hours during the summer, director Gayla Ratzlaff said.
• Marion County Noxious Weed Department will purchase two 60-gallon drums of 2,4-D Amine from Markley Service of Marion for $705. Ag Service of Hillsboro bid $741; Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro, $780; and Cooperative Grain and Supply of Tampa, $780.
• Mobile recycling pickup filled its trailer Saturday in Goessel, Lehigh, and Pilsen, Holub said. Many participants volunteered to help other patrons load their recyclables.
• R&S Digital of Great Bend will survey markers for a base map for appraiser and dispatch departments, and perhaps others, for $6,500.
• Two bridges were added to the county’s five-year replacement plan. The bridges are on Falcon Road, south of 220th Road, and Clover Road north of U.S.-50.
• With several special events early this summer, such as Memorial Day, Chingawassa Days, Prelude to the Symphony in the Flint Hills, and Marion County Fair, the sheriff’s office will be stretched thin, Sheriff Rob Craft said. He said he expects deputies to work many hours of overtime.
• Commissioners approved a request for a fireworks display at 9 p.m. June 6 at 2514 Bluestem Road. Lisa Donahue requested permission for the display in honor of her daughter’s wedding.
• Using the same appraisal rules for Marion County as Johnson or Sedgwick counties is a problem, said Marion County Appraiser Cindy Magill. Marion County has few property sales that it takes several years to get a sample size large enough to compare values, she said.

The next commission meeting is May 29.