Commission will form a water quality board
Staff reporter
A water quality board will be formed by Marion County Commission to address issues with agencies.
Marion County Commission discussed the issue May 31 with Steve Garrett, Hillsboro City Administrator.
Commission chairman Dan Holub said different people attend meetings that address water quality issues.
"There needs to be a board that can coordinate with agencies and provide oversight," said Garrett. "The clock is ticking on some sources of funding."
Garrett continued that water quality for recreational purposes is an economic development issue and water for drinking purposes is a health issue.
He suggested nine to 12 members to represent the stakeholders in Marion Reservoir and other water sources.
It was determined that representation from Hillsboro, Marion, and Peabody cities would be appropriate as from the two rural water districts, conservation district, county commission, and water shed board. Holub also suggested asking county resident David Mueller to serve since he recently served on the Kansas Water Board.
The commission could set general goals, said Garrett, and the appointed board could determine specific goals.
Grant funds are being sought by various agencies to assist with blue-green algae and sediment issues at Marion Reservoir, the primary water source for most of Marion County. A water quality board could be the organization to be informed and follow the progress of the issues.
Letters will be sent to appropriate entities to request participation.
In other business:
— County clerk Carol Maggard asked the commission for direction regarding construction permit applications. Several have been filed to construct buildings and there is no one on the county staff qualified to review and approve.
Following a five-minute executive session called by Holub to discuss personnel, the meeting reconvened and it was approved to contact former zoning administrator David Brazil. Brazil will be asked to review pending construction permits and would be paid the same hourly wage when he was a county employee. He also would be paid mileage to and from Marion and use of a county vehicle.
At Monday's commission meeting, deputy clerk Tina Spencer reported that Maggard had contacted Brazil who agreed to review the pending applications.
— A sample resolution to allow the sale of fireworks within the county was reviewed by the commission.
Commissioner Randy Dallke had requested the commission consider the resolution and had provided a sample from the City of Peabody.
Dallke tabled decisions Monday regarding a resolution.
— Maggard distributed information from the League of Kansas Municipalities regarding a salary comparison of county employees with cities within the county and other similar counties.
Maggard said at one time, all employees were at 90 percent of median income but merit raises were not given some years. Now some employees are considerably lower. She doesn't recommend "across the board" raises to bring everyone to 100 percent of median income but suggested the commission consider giving sufficient raises to those employees in the lower percentage.
The commission will review and make a decision at a future meeting.
— A certificate of insurance for Rainbow Fireworks was acknowledged for a fireworks display at Marion County Lake during the Labor Day weekend.
Shawmar Oil Company also requested permission to discharge fireworks at Country Dreams during its annual picnic in July. The commission requested the owners of the property make the request.
At Monday's meeting, the commission approved an application made by the owner of Country Dreams, Kent Richmond.
— Phil Berrett of Tri-County Free Fair, Herington, asked the commission to consider donating $750 for this year's fair. Berrett said increased costs was the reason for the request.
Dickinson County has provided $1,500 and a request of $750 was made with Morris County which is taking it under advisement.
Dickinson, Morris, and Marion county 4-Hers participate in the fair prior to other county and state fairs. The Tri-County Free Fair is considered a regional fair and satisfies requirements for state awards.
The commission denied the request for funds at Monday's meeting. Commissioner Bob Hein said Dickinson County residents are entering the Marion County Fair and the county needed to continue to support its own fair.
Holub and Dallke agreed. A letter will be sent to Berrett.
— Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas sent the county a $113,617 refund for employee health insurance. The refund is based on the amount of premium paid by the county subtracted from the amount of claims.
Maggard said in previous years, the majority of the refund went to the employee benefit fund and the remainder was distributed among those employees who pay a family premium.
— County sales tax revenue of $49,302 that was collected in March showed an increase from the previous year.
