Commission Chairman Dan Holub was interested in what his fellow commissioners, Bob Hein and Randy Dallke, were hearing from city constituents regarding city contributions for the program.

The three commmissioners agreed that so far responses from Marion and Hillsboro on providing half of the opening $75,200 local share required for the Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy sound "disinterested."

The commissioners seemed to agree the county would be providing half the money with the only question being which fund it would come from.

The emergency management fund was mentioned for money to provide first efforts, but Dallke pointed out the project might last at least six or seven years, requiring its own budget line item.

Holub said providing for sediment control and cleanup efforts to preserve the reservoir for recreational and future water supply uses seems like such a "no brainer" decision. He is surprised there isn't more vocal support.

He noted many farmers are participating in conservation programs with returns to themselves at only 30 cents on the dollar.

Holub said finding a solution for the blue-green algae problem at the reservoir alone would be worth the effort. He said the only real, permanent solution to the reservoir problem-dredging-is cost prohibitive.

Dallke said Peabody receives water through Hillsboro, making it one of three cities dependent on the reservoir. "Surely these cities will realize and see the importance of this to them," he said.

Emergency Medical Services Director Darryl Thiesen came to the commissioners with EMS volunteer Gene Winkler to ask permission to buy a new ambulance with $70,000 from his budget. He said an ambulance chassis with box and equipment added usually costs about $100,000, and takes six months to receive.

Instead Hein suggested Thiesen purchase a demonstraton ambulance right away. The other commissioners concurred. Thiessen said demonstartor models usually are equipped to the maxium.

Noreen Weems, director of the Department for the Elderly, reported Marlene Enduss, president of the Ramona Senior Center, said her group will purchase a new ceiling fan with Fourth of July cake-walk funds.

The Peabody Senior Center will use mill levy funds for $240 for a commercial vacuum cleaner.

Recalling when they paid about $11,000 on a transport fuel bid, commissioners approved a $21,914 bid from Cardie Oil of Tampa over a bid of $22,205 from Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro.

The Cardie bid included 4,500 gallons diesel in Tank 3, 1,000 gallons diesel in Tank 1, and 2,500 gallons of unleaded gasoline.