County, KDOT reach agreement for roads
When all was said and done Monday, Kansas Department of Transportation agreed to reimburse Marion County up to $450,000 for road repairs due to construction of U.S.-77.
Don Drickey of KDOT, told Marion County Commission that normally the state agency would reimburse counties for rock expenses as a result of motorists using county roads as a detour instead of designated state roads.
Joe Palic said there had been some misunderstanding about the reimbursement process. The lump sum can be used by county officials as needed.
Commissioner Dan Holub said he also was concerned about damaged culverts on county roads. He was told the reimbursements could be for any road construction-related expense — law enforcement, rock, overlay, etc.
A year earlier, the county had requested $525,000 in reimbursements from KDOT. KDOT countered the offer at $400,000.
The two governmental agencies hit a stalemate and the commission requested the KDOT officials attend a meeting to resolve the issue.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said costs to overlay have increased and the county should receive an adjustment.
Jim Herzet, county road and bridge superintendent, said his department has used 2,000 tons of rock and several tons of sand for county roads.
The original agreement also included funds for the City of Marion to repair South Third Street from the city limits to Main Street.
Drickey said he also was concerned with increased costs for the U.S.-77 project.
Dallke said he would be in favor of settling for $500,000.
Holub said he was concerned about what might occur between now and next September when the project is to be completed. He and Hein said they were hoping for $525,000.
Palic told the commission the purpose of compensating for detours was to pay for damages caused by detoured traffic, not to rebuild county roads.
"Detour traffic is using Sunflower Road," said Dallke.
"The detour traffic is not destroying Sunflower Road. It's causing some damage," said Palic. "Some of the problems would have occurred without a detour."
Drickey agreed and added building new county roads was not the state's goal.
Drickey proposed a counter offer of $450,000. Dallke said the county wanted compensation for preparation of highway construction which cost the county $30,000 to rock roads.
Marion City Commissioner Jim Crofoot asked for clarification of the city's portion of compensation for South Third Street.
Drickey said KDOT could make a separate agreement with the City of Marion regarding that portion of road repairs. KDOT still would reimburse the county $450,000. The commission will receive the proposal within two weeks.
Farm Bureau establishes new scholarship
Farm Bureau Financial Services has committed $75,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish a K-State Civic Leadership Scholarship Competition.
Three annual scholarships will be awarded to incoming freshmen who exemplify a commitment to building a sense of community and serving others.
Qualified applicants must be a graduating high school senior residing in Kansas, meet minimum standards for admission to KSU, and demonstrate exemplary community service.
Scholarship finalists will be invited to participate in an on-campus interview and attend a KSU civic recognition event with their families.
For more information, contact Emily Lehning, new student services, (800) 432-8270, or e-mail at lehning@k-state.edu. To access an application online, visit www.k-state.edu/leadership.
