Marion leaders OK curtain purchase

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER
Despite concerns that an unexpected $5,000 is out of the city budget for a failed boiler in the city auditorium, Marion city commissioners Monday approved spending $4,822 for worn and torn side and mid-stage curtains for the building.

The curtains were in the budget, and Commissioner Jim Crofoot took the lead in moving for the expenditure to meet needs for summer and high-school productions.

Bob Brookens, chair of the auditorium advisory board, also presented a bid for $1,603.94 to put non-slip vinyl on “small, steep, slick” stairs performers must go down backstairs.

But noting that the stairs had been a problem at least since the 1970s, he thanked the commission for the curtain bid which was awarded to The County Seat working with Wichita Theatrical Services.

Brookens said new fire-proof curtains wear out in only 15 years compared to curtains made from older materials which frequently lasted 30 years.

Commissioners approved 3-0 a tax-deferred compensation program, which allows employees to invest up to $11,000 of pre-tax dollars in American Funds to decrease reliance on future Social Security as presented by Tom Kimbrel of Edward Jones Investments in Marion.

The program is city-sponsored with payroll withholdings, but all contributions are from employees, he said.

Commissioners approved 3-0 a public hearing date of 4 p.m., June 10, in the commission meeting room for the Neighborhood Revitalization Plan for the City of Marion, which could provide property-tax exemptions for new improvements in the Main Street area.

Commissioners directed Susan Cooper, development director, to continue preparation for a Marion Web page which could be included in the 2003 budget.

The commissioners approved, in consideration of the contributions of city employees to the event, spending $18 each for general admission and concert buttons for 23 employees to Chingawassa Days.

The commissioners approved the April financial statement, the April investment and collateral report, and paying $84,644.82 in warrants. This included the Westar electrical payment of $62,175.07.

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