"I've come to a bump in the road," McLain said. "I don't know that it's fair to the city to continue as a city commissioner.... I don't know what my energy level will be.

"I've appreciated the efforts of all the city employees, and it's been good having the experience of being a city commissioner."

McLain, who was just reelected as commissioner, appeared to be speaking to a completely surprised audience.

Mayor Martin Tice seemed to speak for everybody when he said, "I'm not happy to hear this. You'll be in all our prayers."

City Attorney Dan Baldwin, who was asked how the city should proceed in light of McLain's intent to resign, suggested that if McLain didn't mind, that he keep the position "for a couple more weeks, even if you aren't here," which would give the other two Commission members time to come up with successor nominees.

Baldwin explained that, without researching the situation further, he believed that the process would be for Tice and Commissioner Jim Crofoot to select a successor for McLain. If the two commissioners are unable to agree on a candidate, it would fall to Baldwin to cast a third vote to break the tie.

County Commissioner Dan Holub appeared to answer any questions the commissioners might have regarding a county revitalization plan passed by resolution Monday with hearing set for 7 p.m. May 17.

The plan would offer tax rebates reducing from 90 percent the first year of a 10-year program to a low of 10 percent the last year.

Holub said the plan wouldn't interfere with taxes currently on tax rolls.

He said it would enable persons to do things like build speculation homes for sale without paying high taxes on them and with the tax savings passed on to their new home buyers. The immediate benefit of the idea within the county would be to stimulate economic activity, he said.

On the subject of a county economic director, Holub told the commissioners the county would want someone proactive who would hustle for new business instead of waiting for inquiries.

He said it is good that the city also plans to seek an economic director for the city and county to work together.

Tice told Holub he would like to see county action to upgrade its portion of Eisenhower Street, which is gravel, to more closely match the city's portion that is curbed, guttered and surfaced.

Tice said that he would like to see something done before a theater and community center go in on Eisenhower.

Holub said he would bring the matter to the attention of county road and bridge next week.

The Commission had a bid from Hett Construction Co. for doing curb and guttering on Lawrence Street, but followed a recommendation from Baldwin to wait a week to open it to allow time for a bid to come on asphalt surfacing on the same project.

City Administrator David Mayfield wrote a job description for a city economic director, but following Tice's recommendation, the commissioners agreed to delay approval of it for two weeks to give time for study.

The commissioners appointed Tina Groening to succeed Gene Winkler as Marion representative on the county economic development council.

Public Works Director Harvey Sanders reminded city residents that this is clean-up week.

The commissioners approved a resolution that Baldwin said is an agreement with the owners of 201 North Freeborn to correct property deficiencies in an orderly manner to avoid property condemnation.

The commissioners received a letter from Galaxy TV cable service advising that a rumor circulating that Galaxy is leaving Marion is not true, and the company believes it to have been started by a competitor.

The commissioners approved the March investment and collateral report, the March financial statement and the quarterly financial statement.

They approved paying warrants for $37,881.14 and a payroll for $24,841.59.