Commission job is more than Monday meetings
Being elected to serve on the Marion County Commission is more than attending a three-hour meeting once a week.
Just like a business professional, commission members must prepare for meetings by studying and understanding the county's budget.
With more than 15 departments and 100 employees, the commission's responsibilities include understanding individual department operations, listening to concerns and requests of constituents, and ultimately be the keeper of the county's funds.
Simply, the commission is responsible for all county operations; awesome responsibilities for a part-time job.
Bob Hein, commissioner from District 1, serving Hillsboro and the western part of the county, said he spends a minimum of four to eight hours per week preparing for county business.
Commissioners may attend various county meetings such as Marion County Economic Development Council meetings, district meetings, and state meetings pertaining to their duties as a commissioner.
For new commissioners, preparation time will be significantly more until they have the opportunity to learn the basics.
For Hein, serving his constituents is the most rewarding part of the commission job.
"As commissioner, it is my duty to aid my constituents with their dealings with the county," Hein said. "I feel very honored and proud to be given the trust by those in my district
The most challenging part of the job for Hein is the budget.
The commission is constantly challenged with the delicate balancing act of maintaining county operations and efficiently spending funds derived from taxpayers.
Understanding the operation of each department and the financial needs are necessary for a commissioner to make decisions.
"With the limited funds we have and the economy being the way it is, it is incredibly difficult to work out a way to enable the county to run smoothly and to satisfy everyone," Hein said.
He said it is difficult to keep everyone happy and some decisions do cause hard feelings.
One aspect Hein would like change is having more contact with the public, especially when a budget is being prepared. He would like to hear more opinions and ideas from county residents.
In addition to a monthly salary of a little more than $1,000, commission members also receive health insurance which includes dental, vision, and drug coverage, a $5,000 life insurance policy, and availability of KPERS membership.
New commissioners for the second and third districts were elected this past November while the district one seat will not be open for re-election until 2005.
Incumbents Howard Collett and Leroy Wetta, who declined running for a second term, were replaced by Dan Holub and Randy Dallke. Holub and Dallke will begin serving their terms Monday following a swearing-in ceremony at 9 a.m.
