Spirit of coopration is theme of county plan
Survey results discussed
Staff reporter
More than 20 people attended a special meeting Monday evening of Marion County Commission to discuss the county's future.
Consultant Tom Brown of Savant Services, LLC, presented the results of a recent countywide survey.
His opening remarks reflected issues that had been discussed six years ago when the county's strategic plan was revamped.
"This county is very competitive with each other," Brown said. "The mentality is 'If you win, I lose'. If the county can pull together all economic development efforts, cities and county can complement each other. We all need to work together."
During his research of six neighboring counties, Marion County will experience the second highest population decline during the next 15 years. Chase will experience the most. The other counties will experience increases.
The counties used in the study were Chase, Morris, Dickinson, Harvey, McPherson, and Butler.
"When you lose population, you lose tax base," Brown explained. Mill levies have to increase or services cut to meet budget demands.
Marion County ranked the lowest with the fewest children less than five years old, and tied with Morris County at 21 percent for populations more than 65 years old.
Marion County also has the lowest per capita income at $21,100. Morris was second at $23,000.
Median household income for Marion County was listed at $52,300, the second lowest only to Chase County at $39,800.
Brown said low tax bases are a result of fewer people living in inexpensive housing and being paid low wages.
Harvey County has the lowest mill levy at 29.7, followed by Butler at 35.7, McPherson at 36.3, Dickinson at 43.7, Marion at 50.7, and Chase at 57.5.
Fuel prices also may dictate population trends.
"What happens when fuel hits $3 per gallon?" Brown asked. People will look at their budgets and may decide to move to their jobs rather than commute.
"We need to find a way to come together as a county to improve quality of life and infrastructure," Brown said. "Anytime anything positive happens in the county, it benefits everyone."
Having an aging county also presents challenges for health care providers with Medicare write-offs and fewer patients to pay full price to offset losses.
"The county population would have to increase quite a bit to reduce the mill levy," Brown said.
The survey was conducted to give the county an idea of how to plan the next three years.
The county's current plan has three target strategic areas: infrastructure and services, economic vitality, and quality of life.
Various questions were asked in the survey that related to goals of the current plan and potential strategic areas. Written comments by participants also were included.
There were 138 surveys returned to the county clerk's office. Surveys were made available at city and county offices, township officers, and a booth at the county fair.
Previous to the distribution of surveys, the consultant had advised the commission to not spend funds on a mass mailing or insertion in county newspapers because of the expense and minimal results.
However, six years ago when a mass mailing was conducted with a similar survey, 1,600 county residents responded to the questionnaire.
Marion resident Eloise Mueller commented when the City of Marion asked for input, the surveys were inserted in the Marion County Record with successful results.
Survey results
Survey participants were asked to rate various statements by importance — not at all important, not very important, no opinion, somewhat important, or extremely important.
The scores were then tabulated and each statement was given a rating. Brown said any rating below a 3.75 for statements regarding the current plan should be questioned why it's on the plan.
The most important goal was to continue to develop the spirit of cooperation with county and local officials. Sixty-six people thought it was extremely important followed by 53 who thought it was somewhat important.
The second most important goal was to encourage youth to enter the workplace in Marion County. The question was raised "Where will they work?"
Other questions pertained to road replacement and repair, countywide economic development collaborative efforts, and affordable housing.
The goal that received the lowest rating was seeking private business sponsors for road equipment training school.
A common comment was local people not being hired by school districts, more development, better roads, and job opportunities.
The second half of the survey asked questions about potential strategic issues.
Of those responses, the most important was to seek new industry to complement agriculture and produce additional jobs. More than 120 people thought it was somewhat or extremely important. The least important issue was to develop a greater awareness of county opportunities on a state website and other promotional media.
Comments in this section were related to planning and zoning, acreage, the need for new industry and business, establishing one county hospital, develop a wholesale water district, and lower taxes.
Other comments
After the survey results were reviewed, Brown asked those in attendance for input not covered in the survey.
The question was asked regarding the policy for road repairs. County commissioner Dan Holub responded he drives the roads. He said there needs to be better communication between township leaders and the county's road and bridge department.
Commission chairman Bob Hein commented that larger trucks and more truck traffic was adding to the demise of county roads.
County resident Patsy Waner commented Remington Road needed to be repaired.
"It's a main artery," Waner said.
Holub commented the road needed a new base which could result in the road being graveled for a time to allow a new base to settle.
County resident Don Kraus asked the cost to rock a mile of road.
"It doesn't pay to spend $3,000 to rock a road and collect only $1,200 in taxes," Kraus said.
County resident Harry Bennett said there has to be someplace affordable for people to live making $8 an hour.
"Are you going to make a place unaffordable by growing?" asked Bennett.
Bennett also suggested the possibility of county officials being shared with other counties.
A second public meeting will be held at 1 p.m. Sept. 12 in the courthouse. The plan then will be finalized and submitted to the state by the end of September.
