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Funds remain unmarked for 2005 road improvements years ago

Staff reporter

The approved 2005 county budget was a topic of discussion once again, but no changes will be made.

During Tuesday's Marion County Commission meeting, chairman Leroy Wetta requested a teleconference with county auditor Scot Loyd of Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk & Loyd.

Wetta said he was concerned that designated funds for road improvements were not specifically earmarked in next year's budget.

Combined funds from capital improvement, sales tax revenue, and a road and bridge line item were designated to be used for chip and seal road projects in 2005.

In order to have those funds specifically earmarked for that purpose, the county's budget would need to be republished with those changes in the county's general fund and road and bridge fund.

Loyd said it could be done with a new budget hearing in September. The county already approved the proposed budget Aug. 23.

Wetta made a motion to republish the two funds to specifically designate use of road funds. The motion died for a lack of a second.

Another road topic led to a decision by the commission to approve a resolution for a new road near Ulysses and 250th, northwest of Antelope.

A public hearing will be held Sept. 20 to view the road.

The commission approved the resolution, 2-1, with Wetta have the dissenting vote.

In other business:

— Information pertaining to closure of the county's landfill was distributed to the commission. A $20,000 check, as part of the final settlement, was received and will be deposited in the solid waste fund. Engineer costs will be dispersed from the solid waste and contingency funds.

— Sales tax revenue for June saw another increase with $48,087 collected. In 2003, $36,476 was collected, an increase of nearly $12,000.

Commissioner Howard Collett asked county clerk Carol Maggard if there was any way to track the sources of the revenue. Maggard said she was not aware of a way to do so but would check.

Commissioner Bob Hein made the comment Harvey and Saline counties' sales tax revenue had been declining.

— Area fuel bids from Cardie Oil Company of Tampa were approved. A total of 6,550 gallons of fuel was purchased at an average cost of $1.30 per gallon for a total of $8,553.

Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also submitted a bid of $8,768.

Acting road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet reported work was beginning on 30th by Peabody. Two miles of road will be removed and replaced with the remainder being patched.

— An extension of seven hours of vacation time was approved for Michele Abbott-Becker, communications director. She will use the time on Sept. 3.

— The commission approved a resolution appointing Hein as a delegate at the Kansas Association of Counties convention in November.

— Maggard announced Rebecca Wingfield had been hired in the clerk's office.

— A public hearing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 23 for the county's zoning regulations. The regular monthly meeting of the county planning commission and board of zoning appeals will be at 7:30 p.m.

The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday instead of Monday due to the Labor Day holiday.

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