After long deliberations, Commissioner Bob Hein made the motion to provide the local share, probably from the county's risk-management fund.

"We have to move forward," Hein said. "We have to do something. We can't risk the reservoir."

Commission Chair Dan Holub seconded the motion, saying clean water supplies for the county are too critical for the health and future of the county.

He likened it to a business expense payable for the millions of dollars tourists at the reservoir bring into the county.

Holub suggested that maybe the Marion City Council would still vote an $18,000 quarter share of the cost even though they tabled the consideration last week to see what Hillsboro would do.

Marion City Manager David Mayfield told the commissioners he didn't know what the council would do, and that he obviously doesn't vote himself.

Holub pointed out to Hillsboro City Manager Steve Garrett that with its water sales to Peabody, Hillsboro is making money selling reservoir water.

"It seems like a lot to risk over $18,000," he said.

Mayfield interjected that both Hillsboro and Marion have made large investments in water plants that don't make money, and have a hard time breaking even.

Garrett replied: "The people of Hillsboro pay county taxes, too. Part of what you are paying already is Hillsboro money. Now you wanted us to pay another $18,000. We are paying our share. It's in county taxes."

Those assembled in the meeting room agreed that Marion Reservoir is a benefit shared throughout the county, and that keeping it clean and usable is in the interest of every person.

The eventual local share isn't determined yet, said Peggy Blackman, local administrator for the WRAPS program that finances the proposed water-quality study.

She said the local portion could involve 40 percent of $400,000 over a three-year period.

Blackman said the beginning program will study what is happening to the reservoir as it is filling with sediments and pollutants, such as too much phosphorous, which contributes to the toxic blue-green algae blooms.

In casting the third vote to pay the local cost share, Commissioner Randy Dallke said that although Marion County is fortunate to have a federal reservoir within its borders, he still also blames the federal government for building lakes with known 50- to 150-year life spans and no future plans for the finances that keep them from turning into swamps.

Dallke noted that with federal budgets being cut, local governments are left with the costs and responsibilities to fix things.

"Where's the bottom line?" Dallke asked. "Uncle Sam is not helping with it. Marion County is left to be the one stepping up to the plate."

The commissioners also gave final approval to a resolution that creates a nine-member county water board that will keep track of water quality and reservoir issues.

Observers said the board could become fundamental in contacting congressmen to get federal funding for things such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects to clean up the reservoir.

It could cross over into economic issues.

The question was asked whether the cities of Peabody, Marion and Hillsboro should have the same representation on the board that they would have had if they helped fund the local share grant money.

Hein replied, "Sure, they're still part of it just like they were before."