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Commission seeks input for development ideas, goals

Public meeting planned to discuss

Staff reporter

After completing business Friday to close the books on 2005, Marion County Commissioner Dan Holub is ready to look to 2006.

He asked the commission to consider a public meeting to set goals for the new year, particularly inviting those who opposed casino development to come forward and talk about their plans for development.

Other topics for discussion include the feasibility of a new jail, road improvements, economic development options, and other matters of importance to the general public.

Holub also would like the county commission to meet on a regular basis with officials throughout the county — mayors, township officers, emergency medical services volunteers, and others — to look at various projects.

"The water tank buried near Centre was a good idea," said Holub, referring to a reserve water tank for fire safety. "Maybe we can consider this in other parts of the county."

Even with recent announcements by Sedgwick County with plans to build a new jail, Holub believes there still is a demand from Sedgwick County to "farm out" non-violent prisoners.

"I don't know if we can afford an $8 million jail but we need to look at our options," Holub said. He also would like a policy to be established for transporting prisoners for civil cases and prisoner expenses in general.

County clerk Carol Maggard reminded the commission that sales tax legislation was required for a new jail to be built with bonds and could be proposed prior to construction.

Also on Holub's "to do" list was to establish policies for hiring consultants and cutting costs such as turning down thermostats at night and limiting use of county vehicles.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said some old policies need to be reviewed.

Holub said he wants to discuss these topics because he's concerned about the 2006 county budget.

"I'm terrified come budget time," Holub said. "We may have to cut services or raise taxes to cover expenses."

Maggard also voiced budget concerns — particularly for county roads because only a portion of funds are being earmarked for roads in 2006 as in previous years.

In other business:

— The commission wanted to discuss financial support options for Northview Developmental Services but Maggard suggested the commission wait until she had ending balances for cash and expenses.

Maggard reported county expenses required her to use nearly half of the county's cash carry-over ($150,000 of a total of $360,000), which was a concern.

— Vouchers and payroll for $866,062 were approved.

— Maggard reported there was $8,423 expended for the special mail-in election regarding the non-binding referendum for casino development. She also was anticipating a $480 refund from the U.S. Post Office for inside envelopes of returned ballots that weren't used.

Funds for the election were taken from the economic development fund.

— Sales tax collections for October were down from the previous two years at $40,580. However, the 12-month period ended ahead of the prior year.

— Maggard reported a slight decrease in the county's valuation since estimated in November. The beginning value was placed at $97,646,856. The ending value is $97,544,573.

— The commission funds to be encumbered for 2006 included $79,943 for road and bridge, materials for bridge construction; $34,584, courthouse, reconstruction of offices in courthouse due to mold removal; $12,000, judicial, surveillance cameras; $7,981, sheriff, portion of patrol car; $11,766, sales tax, portion of patrol car; $10,500, appraiser, new equipment; $25,000, transfer station, new trailer; and $15,000, transfer station, lot purchase and fence.

Other funds approved for encumbrances were courthouse, sales tax, appraiser, elderly, and park.

— Road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet distributed county maps that detailed road projects currently being completed.

— Two area fuel bids were opened with Cardie Oil Company of Tampa, having the low bid of $13,418 for 6,550 gallons of diesel fuel at four locations in the county.

Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro also submitted a bid for the same amount of fuel for at total of $13,586.

— A resolution was approved to adopt changes to KWORK bylaws as proposed at the annual meeting of Kansas Association of Counties.

— The commission signed off on required changes for an application by Deidre Serene of the county health department for a bio-terrorism grant.

— Don Fruechting of Marion was appointed to another three-year term on the council of North Central-Area Agency on Aging.

— Outstanding checks more than two years old were approved to be written off the treasurer's books. Nine checks totaled $191.

— Commission chairman Bob Hein signed documents to let the next bridge project in February. The bridge is located 1.8 miles north of Lehigh on Diamond Road.

Hein also signed documents regarding land acquisitions for the rights-of-way and road crossing permits for the bridge project.

— Herzet announced there were two new employees in the road and bridge department. Mark Schale is the asphalt distributor, and Wade Knust is an equipment operator on the culvert crew.

— Dallke expressed concerns about the condition of Nighthawk Road. Herzet said he was aware of the condition and also mentioned problems with Remington Road that have been addressed.

The next commission meeting is 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.

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