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Bulk fuel prices hit county in the budget

Staff reporter

Fuel prices are at an all-time high at the pumps which means Marion County is having to pay all-time high prices for tanker loads.

Marion County Commission approved a "low" bid April 30 for 1,900 gallons of diesel and 2,500 gallons of unleaded for $28,061.50 from Cardie Oil Company of Tampa at an average price of $3.60 per gallon for diesel and $3.17 per gallon for unleaded.

A year ago, the county paid $19,046 for 5,500 gallons of diesel fuel at an average cost of $2.28 per gallon.

Cardie Oil also had the low bid of $23,066 for 6,550 gallons of diesel fuel for area fuel at an average cost of $3.51 per gallon.

Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also provided bids of $28,395 and $23,310, respectively.

In other department business:

— The commission approved a resolution which would make four miles of county road on 180th between Old Mill and Kanza a minimum maintenance road. A public hearing also will be held.

— An independent appraisal was approved as part of ongoing negotiations between the county and a property owner regarding the replacement of a bridge near Florence that will require more land for the right-of-way.

County attorney Susan Robson will review the information and make a recommendation.

— As a result of the storm April 23, acting public works director John Summerville reported that a 10x7-foot box culvert will be replaced north of Durham.

Tons of road rock were washed off roads but Summerville added it wouldn't be cost-effective for county road personnel to pull the rock from ditches.

Commission chairman Bob Hein asked Summerville if Martin Marietta Aggregates, Marion, had road rock available. Summerville said he had requested price information from the quarry but had not received any information. Florence Rock Company had road rock which is where the county is purchasing the aggregate.

— Road patrolman Jesse Hamm received a pay increase from $2,012 per month to $2,062 after completing six months on the job.

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