Jail bond issue to be discussed May 5
Marion County Commission will discuss the next step in getting a new jail bond issue on the November ballot.
At Monday's meeting, the commission decided to discuss different options at 1 p.m. May 5. Bond counselor David Artebury with George K. Baum will be asked to discuss funding options and a cost estimate will be requested from architect Law Kingdon regarding the updating of the existing jail.
Those updates must include new electrical service, an elevator, new roof, location of the dispatch center, and re-construction of the jail cells.
In other business:
— Commission Dan Holub asked if there could be a volunteer group willing to solicit donations for courthouse lawn improvements. He noted the success of the Marion Central Park Improvement Committee in raising funds for new playground equipment.
Maggard suggested the county hire a landscaper to provide a plan.
— Three transfers were approved which included $16,442 from risk management reserve to risk management fund; $65,768 from road and bridge sales tax to capital improvement fund; $99,797 from road maintenance and improvement to capital improvement fund; and $121,706 from a second road maintenance and improvement fund to capital improvement fund.
Two additional transfers also are scheduled during the year, if funding permits.
— County clerk Carol Maggard reported she is compiling landowner and residents' names in the northeast part of the county near the Dickinson County line that could be affected by a bridge being improved or removed.
— There was $8,963,258 cash on hand as of March 31, with $2,877,960 in county general and $1,355,787 in road and bridge funds.
The next commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.
