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County tables decision on road crew uniforms

Marion County Commission discussed but made no decisions Monday regarding uniforms for 36 county road and bridge employees.

Acting superintendent Jim Herzet had presented information at a previous meeting about uniform rental and cleaning. At that time, the commission determined the cost was excessive and asked Herzet to do more research.

At Monday's meeting, Herzet reported if the county provided short-sleeved shirts, jeans, and jackets for the road and bridge employees through Airmark, the cost would be $4.70 per person per week for an annual cost of $8,798.

The company would provide an ample supply of clean shirts and jeans each week for each employee.

Previous cost estimates for more than both short-sleeved and long-sleeved shirts were $6.07 to $6.80 per employee per week for an estimated annual cost of $12,623.

Herzet said some of his employees told him they would be willing to purchase additional shirts themselves.

When asked the length the contract would be, Herzet said it could be for any length of time and the clothing could be purchased when the contract expired.

County clerk Carol Maggard said past experiences with the company was a minimum of a two-year contract.

Commissioner Randy Dallke said he was in favor as long as the contract could be dropped at any time.

Herzet made the comment that some employees do not wear jeans; instead they wear overalls. So not all road and bridge employees will be wearing the uniform.

A bid from Western Associates of Marion was shown to the commission but no prices were announced.

More information will be provided to the commission before a decision will be made.

In other department business:

— A construction engineer and contractor have been chosen for a bridge replacement project on Pawnee Road near Marion Reservoir.

Kirkham Michael Consulting will be the engineer and King Construction of Hesston will be the contractor for the Kansas Department of Transportation project. The cost estimate for the project was $511,000 and the low bid was $454,000, reported Herzet.

— The commission decided to have a work session at 1:30 p.m. Monday to discuss road repairs.

Herzet will provide a county map that will detail the types of roads (i.e. black-topped, chipped and sealed, graveled).

— The commission approved a road crossing permit for Sprint on Jade Road between 220th and 230th.

— A 10-minute executive session was requested by Herzet to discuss personnel. Maggard also was in attendance. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.

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