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Projects planned by city

The proposed 2006 budget for the City of Marion, reflects an increase of $1,743,000.

"This increase is for upgrades to the city's water treatment plant," explained David Mayfield, city administrator.

Water plant improvements will cost $1.84 million. Funding for the project will come from a USDA Rural Development grant and loan program the city received.

The city has to budget for all funds even though actual costs to the city will be lower.

Mayfield explained the city has to budget for all its cash funds.

"It doesn't mean the city is going to spend all of them," Mayfield said.

If the city does not properly budget for possible expenses due to emergency situations (flood, tornado, etc.), then it will have to republish the budget to avoid violation.

Total budgeted city expenses proposed for 2006 are $8,131,795. In 2005, total budgeted expenses were $6,388,093. So far, $3,989,359 has been spent by the city for this year.

Planned projects for 2006, include Marion Historical Museum improvements, a city fire truck, police vehicle, replacement of sewer and water lines, and street projects.

Installation of heating, air conditioning, and storm windows and an electrical upgrade are among the plans for the museum. The long awaited improvements will encourage more patrons and help to preserve the artifacts.

A new fire truck has been in the city's plans for several years. The city owns one fire truck, said Mayfield. Others are housed by the city for county fire districts and can be used by city personnel.

As part of the annual rotation of police vehicles, a used vehicle will be purchased in 2006 for the police department. The vehicles typically are purchased from Kansas Highway Patrol with 40,000 to 50,000 miles. The used vehicles replace vehicles that are nine to 10 years old, said Mayfield.

By December 2005, the last payment will be made on a street bond project, said Mayfield, which will free up more than $100,000 in annual payments. These funds may be used for another bond for city improvements, he said.

The city also receives approximately $64,000 annually from the state for street projects.

Like all plans, the capital improvement plan is subject to change as emergencies and other needs are identified.

All in all, the city does not plan to raise the mill levy.

"The city has not had to raise the mill levy for a number of years," Mayfield said. He said he has been with the city since 1998, and knows it hasn't been raised during that time.

Fund-raising campaign begins at fair

The United Way in Marion County, an affiliate of Harvey County United Way, will have its 2005 campaign kick-off Aug. 10, at the Marion County Fair.

Board members will hand out 216 numbered ping pong balls during the parade. Following the parade, those who received a ping pong ball can redeem it for a prize at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters booth at the fairgrounds. Prizes are donated by local merchants.

Recipients of United Way funding the past two years have included Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Communities in Schools, Main Street Ministries, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, United Health Ministries, American Red Cross, and United Cerebral Palsy.

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