Council OKs service fee schedule

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 06 November 2012 15:49

The Marion City Council at its Oct. 29 meeting approved a resolution by a 4-1 vote outlining a fee schedule for research services provided by city staff.

City Administrator Doug Kjellin was asked at the council’s Oct. 15 meeting to compare Marion’s rates to at least five cities and what each charge for research and copy fees.

“The majority of work that needs to be done on Freedom of Information Act is usually available on my computer,” Kjellin said, adding that it averages between one to two minutes to complete.

The only time researching documents can become time-consuming, he said, is when someone requests older files—but that has only happened once during his stint as city administrator.

Prior to approving the fee...

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Fair association receives $4,000 for facility improvements

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 23 October 2012 14:43

Jim Enns, chairman of the Cooperative Grain & Supply board of directors, presents a check for $4,000 to Kelli Savage, Marion County Fair director, last week as the result of a matching-funds program between CG&S and CoBank, the cooperative’s main lender based in Denver, Colo. On either side of them are Laura Legg (left), representing the cooperative’s Ampride stores, and Chuck McLinden, president of the Marion County Fair Association. The money is designated for facility improvements at the fairgrounds—one of which, a ventilation system for the rabbit barn, was completed in time for the 2012 fair in late July. The funds were generated through CoBank’s “Sharing Success,” a $3 million program that matches...

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Chamber cuts ceremonial ribbon to welcome new church as member

Written by Hillsboro Free Press Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:47

Members of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce gathered to welcome Grace Community Church as one the organization’s newest members by having a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Sept. 26 at the church’s downtown office, 130 N. Main.

Marion city council selects new auditor

Written by Patty Decker Tuesday, 09 October 2012 14:46

The Marion City Council at its meeting Oct. 1 approved changing the auditing firm of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball to Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd Accounting.

Even though ABBB was the lower bid, the council by a vote of 4-1 was in favor of returning to its former auditing firm.

Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd submitted a bid of $16,000 for the 2012 audit, $16,500 in 2013 and $17,000 in 2014.

ABBB submitted bids of $10,500 for 2012, $10,750 in 2013 and $11,000 in 2014.

Scott Loyd with the firm of SJH&L was present at the meeting and thanked the council for its confidence. No representative from ABBB attended.

“What we feel we bring to the table,” Loyd said, “is expertise because all we do is city, county and school...

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