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County rescinds 4-mill increase for paved roads

Chip and seal road improvements will save the county money

Staff reporter

A drawing board did come in handy today when Marion County Commission went back to it and came out with a solution for its 2005 budget woes.

At the commission meeting a week ago, the commission approved a four-mill increase to cover $377,000 in road improvements in 2005.

At Monday's meeting, the commission determined a mill levy wasn't necessary if roads are chipped and sealed instead of paved, Kansas Department of Transportation overlays Sunflower Road, and lower estimates come true for proposed road projects.

Engineer Mike Olson of Kirkham, Michael and Associates, presented a cost estimate for 13 miles of chip and seal on Indigo. The estimate for materials to resurface the road was $7,500 per mile.

The commission had used a figure of $10,000 per mile for chip and seal roads. It determined that figure was for old roads to be removed and the road base to be built up before chips are applied.

County auditor Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk, and Loyd, reminded the commission road bonds would be paid off in 2007 — freeing up more money for continued maintenance and improvements for roads being replaced in 2004 and 2005.

Prior to this decision, the commission heard concerns from city leaders and property owners about the proposed tax increase.

Hillsboro mayor Delores Dalke said she agreed the roads in the Peabody area needed to be improved.

"I agree with the published budget (maintaining the current mill levy)," said Dalke. "Please rethink it before adding the four mills."

Dalke said she was concerned the commission hadn't looked at all options and suggested temporary notes.

"Our taxes are way too high in Marion County compared with other counties," Dalke said, and named other counties with lower taxes.

Tampa mayor Jim Clemmer asked the commission if Peabody roads were any worse than roads around Tampa.

Commission chairman Leroy Wetta responded Peabody and Tampa roads were rated "poor" and in need of repair.

Dan Crumrine, Marion County Improvement District #2 representative said if roads weren't lasting the county needed to look at the way the roads are built.

Wetta asked the comments pertain to the published budget. The published budget could be approved as submitted. If the commission decided to proceed with a mill increase, only portions of the budget affected by the increase would be republished, Wetta said.

"Why do we need an economic development director?" asked Crumrine.

Commissioner Howard Collett said funding had been set aside but the position had not been determined.

Wetta added the position could be for a development director, a county counselor, or a county administrator.

"This is an option for the new commission," said Wetta. If it's not used, the money would be returned to the general fund.

Tony Epp of Goessel, said he moved to Kansas in 1997 and Marion County three years ago. He said he didn't like the fact the commission could vote on levied taxes without the permission of the taxpayer.

"I consider it blackmail," said Epp. He said he realized there are things the county needs to pay for but was concerned about a four-mill increase.

"We need to adopt a practice of a mill levy on a ballot," said Epp, "and then live with it for two years." He suggested moving the money around in the budget to make it work.

Epp told the commission it can't be all things to all people.

"Young working families are trying to pay for homes," said Epp. "Property taxpayers always get it in the neck. Look at all of the entities that aren't on the tax roll."

With that, the commission approved the published budget and continued discussion of roads.

The commission commented roads take a lot of money, costing $45,000-$50,000 per mile to resurface.

Collett said a tax increase of $50 per year isn't much to pay for a decent road.

"That's a front-end alignment," Collett said.

After discussion of more additional bonds and no road improvements at Peabody, it was determined to do the following: in the 2005 budget, transfer $283,000 from the road and bridge capital improvement fund, $188,548 from the road and bridge materials fund, and $214,330 from the general fund (road and bridge portion of county sales tax revenue) to fund roads.

KDOT verbally agreed to resurface Sunflower because of additional traffic anticipated when U.S.-77 and U.S.-50 are improved.

Jim Herzet, acting road and bridge superintendent, said a new chip spreader would be needed if the county was to provide labor for chip and seal roads.

An estimate of $100,000 for a spreader was discussed. The commission said a lease arrangement probably would have to be made when the need arose.

Indigo Road

Improvements on Indigo will be a one-and-one-half-inch overlay. A notice for bids will be published for three weeks in the Marion County Record, Hillsboro Star-Journal, and Peabody Gazette-Bulletin.

Bid-letting will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 9 in the commission room. Olson will present the winning bid at the commission meeting the following Monday.

The bid document will require construction to begin as soon as Sept. 27 but no later than Nov. 1. The project is to be completed by Thanksgiving, said Olson.

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