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County begins annual budget belt tightening

Staff reporter

Marion County Commission took care of a variety of business Monday, reviewing the state of county funds and approving expenditures.

County clerk Carol Maggard reported several departments were beginning to use reserve funds. Seventy-five percent of the budget year has elapsed, causing some tightening of the budget belt.

The Sept. 30 budget report was distributed for review.

It was noted the ambulance department had a shortage of $85,000 in uncollected revenue. Collection of that revenue will offset the need for the department to use carry-over funds, designated for a replacement ambulance.

Maggard also noted an annual allocation from the ambulance department to Florence ambulance department in the amount of $17,500 to $18,000.

Some departments that are into carry-over funds, will obtain additional revenues yet this year.

According to the county park budget, an additional $21,400 was expected to be collected yet this year. Maggard said she anticipates the director will have to use carry-over funds to offset reduced revenue.

Other departments using reserve funds were road and bridge and transfer station.

In the 911 fund, proposed carry-overs totaled $129,500, Maggard said. She anticipated the cash balance for that fund to be $39,000.

Maggard also presented the county treasurer's report. The county's cash position as of Sept. 30, was $5,779,293 with $53,514 in earned interest.

County funds on hand were about $200,000 more than the same time last year but $200,000 less than in 2002.

In other business:

— A copy paper bid for the clerk's office was approved. The bid was for 80 cases of 20-pound bond, standard size paper.

Dick's Business of Emporia had the low bid of $1,937. McCune Paper Company of Salina presented a bid of $1,944, Sunflower Office Products of Newton $2,040, Baker Brothers Printing of Hillsboro $2,116, and Navrat's Office Products of Emporia $2,144.

— Courthouse gutter repair and jail building gutter replacement were approved by the commission.

Maggard reported Fleming's Seamless Gutters of Newton was contacted and presented a bid of $1,058 for repairs and replacement. She suggested gutter covers also be installed on the jail building which was approved.

— David Brazil, transfer station manager, was given permission to construct a steel-framed compactor.

Brazil previously was instructed by the commission to check other options regarding the steel compactor. Brazil reported a concrete compactor would break apart but concrete encased in a steel frame would probably last a lifetime.

— A tractor and mower have been leased from Deer Trail Implement of Marion for mowing the ground near the county's landfill.

Commissioner Bob Hein said he was concerned about having to replace tractor tires because of debris in the weeds.

The commission suggested Brazil discuss the concern with Deer Trail Implement before leasing to determine replacement costs.

Mowing was to begin Monday but due to the weather, it was postponed.

Collett suggested using two older county tractors. Brazil said he was told they were all in use.

Piles of scrap metal from the landfill will be removed by road and bridge and taken to the transfer station for disposal.

— A zoning change from agricultural to rural residential was approved by the commission for Samuel Hendren at 254 80th, near the Newton/Marion county line.

— The commission reviewed and accepted a listing of delinquent personal property taxes. The total uncollected taxes were $24,325 for mobile homes, boats, campers, and other personal items.

— A chemical bid for the county noxious weed department was approved. Ag Service of Hillsboro had the low, winning bid of $77 per gallon for 100 gallons of Tordon. Markley Service of Marion had a bid of $79 per gallon.

— A salary change for Darryl Thiesen, emergency medical services director, was approved by the commission.

The commission had agreed to give Thiesen a pay increase of $150 per month once the required certifications were obtained. Maggard suggested Thiesen's salary be increased to the median salary range of at least 90 percent, the same as other county employees.

The commission decided the additional increase will be considered when ambulance billing concerns are corrected.

— Hein was appointed as the county's delegate at the annual meeting of KWORK, the county's worker's compensation provider.

— The commission instructed Maggard to plan the employees' Christmas party. It was determined to have the party at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Marion City Building basement.

A caterer will be chosen by Maggard at an approximate cost of $11 per plate.

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.

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