Conservation money approved despite concerns
Staff writer
Marion County commissioners unanimously approved Marion County Conservation District’s $42,000 county allocation for 2027 Monday after a lengthy discussion about whether county taxpayers should help support conservation programs connected to millions of dollars in state and federal assistance.
The district requested the same county allocation it received for 2026. District representatives said the money helped pay for one full-time and one part-time employee while supporting conservation and education efforts throughout the county.
Commissioners ultimately approved the request 5-0 despite concerns raised by commissioners Clarke Dirks and Michael Beneke.
Dirks said he appreciated the district’s work, particularly conservation education efforts, but questioned asking taxpayers to subsidize programs benefiting a relatively small number of producers.
“I just have a problem when you’re asking for $42,000 from every citizen in Marion County to provide millions of dollars to a handful of farmers,” Dirks said.
District and Natural Resources Conservation Service representatives responded that conservation district employees helped facilitate and administer programs. The millions of dollars referenced is federal money that does not pass through the district itself, they said.
Representatives said conservation programs distributed roughly $1.5 million locally in 2025 and already had obligated nearly $4 million for 2026 projects.
Beneke also expressed skepticism based on his own experience with a federal conservation project on his former cattle operation.
In other business Monday, commissioners unanimously approved $23,151.50 in engineering work for a proposed low-water crossing near Remington Rd. south of 130th Rd. after discussing whether the crossing justified its projected cost.
The estimated project cost ranged from $254,000 to $294,000 if entirely contracted out, compared with roughly $400,000 for a bridge replacement, county administrator Tina Spencer said.
The bridge has been closed since October, 2025, after being deemed unsafe by state inspectors.
Commissioners also voted 3-2 to approve a three-year custodial services contract with Jani-King. Jani-King submitted the lowest proposal at $3,976 a month, compared with $7,657 from current provider, L&L Cleaning; $9,080 from IServe Facilities; and $13,042.60 from M&T’s Service.
Facilities director Kevin Moon also received approval to move forward with concrete repairs at the county annex building after warning commissioners that deteriorating stairs and loose handrails had become a safety concern.
Both stairways and portions of a ramp for people with disabilities suffered significant damage, Moon said.
Ambulance director Mickey Price updated commissioners on staffing, training, and operational changes.
The department has hired a new office manager and is transitioning to a new billing company.
Price said the ambulance service was planning additional mass-casualty and ambulance operations training this summer with area fire departments and volunteers.
An extra crew will be brought in during the Florence Grand Prix race, he said, because of the frequency of serious injuries associated with the event, including broken bones and collapsed lungs.
Commissioners approved a new boot reimbursement policy setting reimbursement at $73 after Price said ordering boots online often resulted in delayed shipments and sizing issues.