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New commission will decide mapping project

Staff reporter

Aerial photography for new county maps again was tabled Monday by Marion County Commission.

Much to the dismay of county appraiser Dianna Carter-Frantz and county emergency and communications director Michele Abbott-Becker, the commission deferred the decision to the next commission.

Two new commissioners will take office Jan. 10 and the current commission did not want to make a decision that could be overturned by the new commission.

At the previous week's commission meeting, Carter-Frantz, Abbott-Becker, and other county department heads had requested the commission consider approval of the expense of aerial photographs for current maps. It has been more than 20 years since maps were updated.

During that session, it was suggested grant funds from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) be used for the project which was estimated to cost $70,000.

The county was awarded more than $700,000 in grant funds as a result of the summer flooding which cost the county money for road repairs, personnel, and equipment.

Commission Howard Collett said he had been thinking about the possibility of using FEMA funds for the mapping project.

"FEMA sends money to the county to relieve the financial burden due to damages caused by flooding," Collett said. He said he did not support those funds being used for something other than what they were intended by FEMA.

Abbott-Becker said three percent of the grant funds was for administrative costs, which is reimbursement for county employees to manage the project and the time spent with FEMA to gather information.

She also said the funds were for equipment that did not cost the county other than personnel and fuel.

Sheriff Lee Becker said the mapping update actually would help the county with flooding in the future, indicating use of FEMA funds for the project was not a stretch.

"We need to decide if we want to do the project," Carter-Frantz said, "and then decide how to pay for it."

"We robbed Peter to pay Paul last summer," Collett said, "and now we're wanting to rob Peter again."

Abbott-Becker said it would be "a wash," whether funds are encumbered from this year's general fund or if FEMA funds are used.

"Regardless, it needs to be done," Abbott-Becker said. "Twenty years is too long."

It was determined if FEMA funds were to used for the project, the budget would need to be republished. A 10-day waiting period is required following the publication before the funds can be expended, which would fall after Jan. 10 when the two new commission members take office.

Abbott-Becker said FEMA wanted updated maps of the county. Collett asked for written verification from FEMA and from the departments the new maps would benefit with specific use and importance of the project.

Currently the county pays $200,000 per year for leases on road graders. Wetta had asked acting county road and bridge superintendent Jim Herzet to provide information about the graders currently under a lease-purchase contract.

Herzet had information for three graders that would cost the county $173,000 to pay off the lease.

In other business:

— The commission tabled a decision regarding the creation of a sick leave pool. Employees asked the commission to consider a pool for those employees who request and take leave due to FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act).

Under the current personnel policy, employees receive 12 days of sick leave per year, and can accumulate up to 120 days.

— Four ceiling fans for the county shop were approved at a total cost of $812. The low bid was submitted by Alcon of Hillsboro. Other bids were from Sanders Electric for $1,300, and Linco Inc., for $1,362, both from Marion.

— A conditional use permit was approved regarding the expansion of a commercial cattle feedlot.

County zoning director David Brazil reported the planning commission had approved the application regarding an 80-acre tract in part of the northwest quarter of section two, township 18, range three.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment required guidelines for a state permit takes precedence over county zoning, Brazil said. A permit for up to 1,200 animal units had been issued by the state. An animal cattle unit was defined as 700 pounds or more. Less than 700 pounds was a half unit.

Collett said neighbors of the applicant had called him, concerned about the expansion and odor issues. Brazil said the expansion also includes plans that the lagoon system be moved and updated, which should reduce odor concerns.

— Two licenses were approved for renewal for alcoholic beverages.

Canada Bait & Tackle of rural Marion applied for renewal of a cereal malt beverage license for packaged beer sales. A notice was sent to Gale Township regarding the request with no responses, reported Maggard.

Marion Country Club of Marion applied and received a class B club license renewal.

— Maggard distributed information from county treasurer Jeannine Bateman to the commission regarding the county's cash position.

At the close of business Nov. 30, there was $5,914,703 cash on hand. Of that amount, $1,342,488 belonged to the general fund, and $732,605 was from road and bridge fund.

In November 2003, the county had $5,554,610 in cash, and in November 2002, there was $5,650,465 available in cash funds.

The highest amount of cash on hand at any given time in the past three years, was in May 2004, when there was $10,022,877 available. The lowest amount was October 2003 with $5,073,951.

Bateman's report also reflected $745,910 collected in ad valorem taxes during November.

— Maggard reported the annual New Year's Eve ball drop again will take place on the courthouse lawn. Fireworks will follow in the parking lot of Cooperative Grain and Supply, Maggard said.

— Brazil distributed monthly budget reports for his departments reflecting 86 percent of the total budget expended for the transfer station, 87 percent for environmental health, and 67 percent for planning and zoning.

Brazil also reported he was wanting to purchase the necessary equipment in 2005 to remove refrigerants from white goods in-house.

— Carter-Frantz requested and received permission to encumber $12,000 from the 2004 appraisal budget to be placed in the 2005 budget.

Of that amount, $1,500 was earmarked for education for a new employee, and $10,500 to be used with other funds to purchase a new CAMA (Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal) system that will be required by the state. The purchase was anticipated in 2008.

The commission will not meet Monday because county offices are closed for the Christmas holiday.

The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the courthouse. The commission also will meet Dec. 31 for payday.

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