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County lacks funds to overlay Third Street

Staff reporter

Marion County Commission Chairman Dan Holub told Marion City Council Monday that the county did not receive sufficient funds from Kansas Department of Transportation to resurface Sunflower Road and Third Street.

Holub and county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet attended the council meeting to advise the council of the shortfall.

The county received $450,000 from the state for resurfacing and maintenance of county roads during the two-year period of construction for U.S.-77. So far the county has spent $18,000 of the $450,000, leaving a balance of $432,000. Preliminary cost estimates for Sunflower and Third Street from U.S.-50 to Main Street are $630,000-$640,000, said Holub.

"We'll have to take a long, hard look at this in the 2007 budget," said Holub. "We can't do it (resurface Sunflower and Third Street) this year."

Councilman Gene Winkler asked if KDOT funds were specifically ear-marked for Sunflower and Third Street? Herzet said yes and for repairs to county roads.

Increased fuel costs were to blame for the inflated estimates, said Holub. He said he contacted Joe Palic at KDOT and asked him to "take another look" at the situation for possible additional assistance.

"If you don't take care of it now, it'll cost us later," said councilman Jerry Kline.

Holub said it would be a month before the county commission would make a decision about the road and he hoped to hear from KDOT by Monday.

Councilman Stacey Collett asked if Third Street could be blade patched in the meantime.

Herzet said county crews were busy preparing county roads for summer repair work.

"My pictures shake on the wall," said Collett, who lives near Third Street.

"That's a city issue," said Herzet. He added that the county pays the city for connecting links.

The City of Marion receives $302 per year for maintenance of Third Street and North Cedar Street, the two designated connecting roads.

City administrator David Mayfield asked if the county would be willing to re-negotiate the amount paid to the city for maintaining the two connecting links.

The previous resolution was approved in 1971 for the $302 per year.

The council asked when Marion was going to receive its share of assistance from the county.

"Hillsboro has had their share," said Kline.

"Lincolnville has had two overlays," said Mayfield.

"We realize there's a problem," said Holub, and agreed there was a need to re-negotiate the terms.

Kline volunteered to accompany Mayfield in negotiations with the county.

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