ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER
by Jerry Engler
The City of Marion could lose as much as $70,000 in annual state funding if proposed state budget cuts become effective, City Administrator Dennis Nichols told the Marion City Commission Monday.
The city receives $19,000 in tax relief funds, $22,000 in revenue sharing and $57,600 in city highway funds that are used for street improvements, he said.
Nichols noted that the residents of such a small community aren’t easily able to pay additional taxes to make up losses in such funding.
He encouraged commissioners to sign a letter expressing concern to Kansas Rep. Don Dahl and Sen. Jay Emler, and they voted 3-0 to do so.
Susan Cooper, development director, said that a grant request for federal funds to purchase a fire truck will be submitted electronically this week. She said the request is one of 32,000 received nationwide competing for funds among communities of 50,000 and less population.
Cooper said a vehicle-salvage business that had been set up on South Third Street in violation of city zoning was completing cleanup and vacating the location.
Nichols announced that a reception will be held from 4 to 4:30 p.m. before the April 8 commission meeting for Commissioner Bud Pierce, who will be succeeded by the winner of the Tuesday election between Keith Collett and Larry McClain. Members of the public are invited to thank Pierce for his service. Pierce served the final portion of former Commissioner Larry Reiswig’s term after he resigned to move to Salina.
Marty Fredrickson, street superintendent, said solid waste disposed of at the KC Development transfer station by the city for March totalled 110.07 tons.
Nichols said the city had received word from the Marion County Commission that its members had signed a letter of intent to purchase KC.
The commissioners approved paying warrants for $237,798.10 which included $172,620.90 payment to Mies Construction for installation of sanitary sewer and force main in Batt Industrial Park and $48,425.82 to Sunflower Builders for work on the depot/library rennovation.
Nichols said the library project is slated for completion by June 25.
