Jail tax question can be on April primary ballot
Holub wonders why cities won't support WRAPS grant
Staff reporter
Marion County Commission heard a bit of good news Monday morning when county clerk Carol Maggard told them the sales tax question for a new jail/judicial center could be included on the April primary ballot.
Concerns were raised at a previous meeting when it became apparent that necessary work could not be completed to meet the deadline for the November ballot. The special legislation that allowed the county to ask the question specified a "general election" ballot. Maggard verified with the state that the primary ballot in April would be permissible.
In other business:
— Commission chairman Dan Holub informed the commission that through a WRAPS grant, $75,200 was needed as the matching portion.
At a meeting last week for city and county officials to discuss the grant, Holub said the county and cities were asked to pick up the $75,200 matching portion — county could pay half, and Marion and Hillsboro could split the other half.
"I was surprised the cities weren't more concerned," Holub said.
The comments commissioner Randy Dallke said he's heard from both cities is that the program is to reduce sediments and is not directly related to producing water.
"This should be a 'no brainer'," Holub said. "It's a small amount to pay for drinking water."
— Darryl Thiesen, emergency medical services director, requested and received permission to obtain bids for a new ambulance to be purchased in 2006.
There was $70,000 in the EMS budget for the expenditure and either a budget amendment would be necessary or the purchase made on a lease agreement until 2007. A new ambulance could cost approximately $110,000.
Thiesen said a demonstrator also could be purchased for considerably less money.
EMS volunteer Gene Winkler said the county previously had purchased a demonstrator and typically there are more features for less money.
The only disadvantage, Thiesen said, was uniformity in all of the units as far as location of supplies.
— A contract was approved with Dan Hall of BG Consultants for services regarding the designing of a jail facility. The contract was for costs up to $50,000.
— The commission approved a pay increase for election workers from $5.15 per hour to $6.65.
Part-time employees also received a 20-cent per hour increase, effective Dec. 21, the beginning of the first pay period of 2007.
Volunteers appointed by the county will receive mileage reimbursement for attending regularly scheduled meetings. The expense was estimated at $1,600 per year.
— Per a memo from county attorney Susan Robson, 14 properties were sold in a recent county foreclosure sale for a total of $14,091.
Prior to the sale, delinquent property owners paid $130,540 in taxes and costs.
Expenses for the tax sale that included abstractor and publication costs were $13,069.
— Cardie Oil Company of Tampa presented the lowest transport fuel bids for a total of $21,914 for 5,500 gallons of diesel at an average cost of $2.683 per gallon and 2,500 gallons of unleaded at a cost of $2.688 per gallon.
Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro also submitted a bid for a total of $22,205, or $2.725 per gallon for diesel and $2.712 for unleaded fuel.
Dallke asked county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet if complaint forms were being used to track complaints from residents. Herzet produced a complaint form book. It was noted that responses were made in a more timely manner and notations were made on the originals. The originals then are filed, said Herzet.
Dallke said he had received two complaints regarding punctured tires after driving on 30th Road. Herzet said he checked it out but did not find any problem with the road.
After a five-minute executive session with Herzet to discuss personnel, the commission approved the carry-over of vacation time for Dan Dalke.
The commission will meet at 9 a.m. Friday at the courthouse for pay day and other business.
