ARCHIVE

County adopts standards for computers, equipment

Staff reporter

Marion County officials are trying to change the mentality of "getting by" when it comes to office computers.

In the past, county department heads waited to purchase new computers until the equipment was broken and not repairable.

During Monday's Marion County Commission meeting, the commission approved a plan presented by a committee of department heads to bring all computers to a minimum standard.

The plan also encouraged replacement of computers and equipment on a rotation-basis instead of typically waiting until they no longer function.

Lloyd Davies of Great Plains Computers & Networking, Marion, compiled a summary of county work stations. He indicated the computers that need to be replaced as soon as possible, and those that need to be upgraded.

The problems of being able to network county computers together and the installation of upgrades will be reduced if all computers have the same standards.

The commission had previously requested information from departments regarding planned purchases of computer equipment. Davies commented the county could receive better pricing if purchasing in quantity.

Michele Abbott-Becker, communication director, said she had spent more for maintenance of an outdated computer than what she would have spent for a new one.

County clerk Carol Maggard said old, working computers that are replaced with new ones are distributed to other departments.

It was determined that each department will continue to budget for the expenses but orders could be pooled to obtain the best price.

It was reported an antiquated electrical system at the courthouse had caused some damages to computers.

In other county business:

— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa was awarded bids for transport fuel and tires.

Cardie Oil's bid of $15,421 for 5,000 gallons of diesel and 3,000 gallons of unleaded fuel was slightly lower than Cooperative Grain and Supply's bid of $15,452.

Cardie Oil presented the winning bid of $37,727 for tires for the county road and bridge department. Rod's Tires of Hillsboro presented a bid of $41,054.

— Following a 10-minute executive session requested by county appraiser Dianna Carter, the commission appointed Robin Taylor of the appraisal department, to supervise the office until another appraiser is hired. Carter's last day is Thursday.

However, Carter was retained by the commission to complete land valuations. She will be paid for 30 hours, based on her current salary as county appraiser.

Carter has been hired as McPherson County appraiser.

— Carter reported owners of agriculture property will receive letters next week regarding the current conditions of their properties.

Every year, a current assessment has to be made of agriculture land. The appraiser has the option of driving to all properties, obtaining information from the local USDA Service Center, or mailing letters.

— Acting county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet reported Florence Rock Company, Florence, and Martin Marietta, Marion, were planning to increase the price of road rock effective July 1.

— The ratio study of assessed property has been completed for 2004. The county's residential property was 99.2 and commercial was 103.2. A perfect ratio is 100. The study is based on the comparison of appraised and fair market values.

— Amber Peterson of Tampa has been hired as the county's election clerk.

— Following a 15-minute executive session requested by Maggard to discuss personnel, the commission approved a salary increase for Rebecca Wingfield of the clerk's office from $1,441 per month to $1,551.

— The commission considered a request by Prairie View, Inc., to increase the county's annual contribution from $53,000 in 2005, to $60,000 in 2006.

Currently there are 51 employees serving Marion County.

— The commission reviewed a proposed addendum to the county's zoning and subdivision regulations.

Copies will be distributed to the county planning commission.

— Maggard presented an updated report regarding those taxing entities that have responded to the county's interlocal agreement for a county neighborhood revitalization program.

Three cities had signed the agreement; one (Hillsboro) decided not to participate.

Other entities that signed the agreements were three school districts (Marion, Peabody, and Newton); eight townships; four cemetery districts; and two fire districts.

— At noon, the commission and Herzet traveled to 140th and Sunflower to view roads. The commission returned to the courthouse at 1 p.m. and reconvened.

— Sixty-nine applications to discharge fireworks in the county were approved.

— The commission then went into executive session to conduct department head evaluations.

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

Quantcast