Work continues on development position
Marion County Commission made minor changes to the county's job description for an economic development coordinator.
Commissioner Dan Holub suggested the successful candidate have a business background, less emphasis on grantwriting skills, and include housing development and rehabilitation in the description.
Letters will be mailed to advisory board members Friday regarding their appointments to the board. A meeting will be planned between the advisory board and the commission to inform members of the commission's wishes.
Tasks for the advisory board will include completion of the job description, advertising for the position, and conducting interviews.
In other business:
— An advertisement was approved to recruit two county residents to serve on Flint Hills Resource, Conservation, & Development Advisory Board. Currently Norman Epp, Peggy Blackman, Jim Clemmer, and commissioner Randy Dallke are members.
— Computer purchases were approved for the appraiser's and attorney's offices. A computer for the appraiser's office will be purchased from Great Plains Computers & Networking of Marion for $1,396 for the computer and $372 for a 17-inch monitor.
Great Plains also was awarded the bid for the attorney's office computer at $954. Two other bids were reviewed from Dell and Hewlett Packard but it was determined the cost difference with shipping would be insignificant.
— Two salary increases were approved for a clerk's office employee and a transfer station employee.
— County clerk Carol Maggard reported worker's compensation premiums for 2004 were $8,000 more than budgeted. Maggard anticipated a similar increase for 2005. She said funds were available for this type of expense.
— The commission reviewed county properties that are being appealed for property tax exemptions.
— Maggard asked the commission if it wanted to be advised each time an entity contacts the county regarding the possible construction of a new jail facility. The commission instructed Maggard to compile the information to be reviewed at the appropriate time.
— A mortgage release was signed regarding commercial property that had a county microloan. The business had defaulted with its primary bank loan and the property was foreclosed and sold.
— An insurance premium was approved for $876 for the remainder of 2005 for Florence emergency services vehicles.
— The appraiser's office will advertise for a vacant position.
— Peggy Blackman, program director of Marion Reservoir water quality grant, provided an annual report to the commission. There is 200 square miles in the watershed area.
Blackman also reported continued erosion problems along the shoreline at the reservoir. Rip-rap will be added to slow the erosion process.
— Michele Abbott-Becker, county communications and emergency management director, reported the county's mapping project was "on hold" because there was an $80,000 cost that was not anticipated. The cost will be "absorbed" by two entities involved in the project, and not the county, she reported.
She asked and received authorization to sign a contract that commits the county for an estimated $16,000 match for a $125,100 grant. Appraiser, zoning, and emergency services department agreed to share the expense in the 2006 budget. Road and bridge did not commit.
— Abbott-Becker also reported she is negotiating with a contractor regarding a bid price of $12,875 for an amplifier as part of a communications project. She received an invoice for more than $15,000. The company wants the county and a consultant to share the cost difference.
Abbott-Becker said she will continue to work with the company until they settle for the original bid price.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Friday in the courthouse.
