County OKs budget with 3+ mill increase

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER
The Marion County Commission Monday approved a 3.348 mills budget increase for 2007 over 2006 in a short budget hearing before nine members of the public.

Most of the onlookers were there because they represented public entities such as cemetery boards.

But a few wanted to comment. Oil field owner Les Kitchenmaster of Lost Springs said the tax “is a hell of an increase” for property owners who don’t also own oil.

Kitchenmaster was responding to a report in last week’s Free Press county coverage that told how road oil overlays have increased in price. He said that should be somewhat compensated for by the increased taxes paid by oil producers in the county as the value of oil goes up.

Kitchenmaster said his taxes went up 350 percent in 2004, and up again to 1,000 percent of what they once were.

“And, I don’t mind a bit,” he said.

Immediate figures did not appear to be at hand to show what part of the budget is offset by taxes from oil in the county.

But when the regular meeting resumed after the budget hearing, there was plenty of proof that increased oil prices are costing the county more, especially in the road and bridge department.

On a regular transport fuel bid Cardie Oil of Tampa took the bid for $22,014 over a competitive bid of $22,101.50 from Cooperative Grain & Supply.

Cardie’s bid included $2.868 a gallon for 4,500 gallons of diesel in tank three, $2.808 a gallon for 1,500 gallons of diesel in tank one and $2.398 a gallon for 2,000 gallons of unleaded gasoline.

During the hearing, Tony Epp of Goessel, submitted a written list of suggestion. Responding to one suggestion from Epp, Chairman Dan Holub said the county has investigated privatization of trash disposal, but has found it may only lead to complications because ultimately the state holds the county responsible for solid waste matters.

Holub said if a trash-disposal company working to get rid of county wastes were to go bankrupt or become unable to meet its obligations, the state would hold the county liable to finish the job of cleaning up the mess-just as it has done in the recent closure of the old Marion County landfill. Therefore, he said, it seems more responsible to keep trash under county control.

Holub said the county is working to lower trash costs with measures such as recycling.

On another Epp inquiry, Holub responded that sheriff’s officers enforcing ordinances for small communities such as those concerning derelict vehicles and loose dogs is not a “frivolous” use of their time.

He said local officials try to talk to offenders, and the sheriff’s officers are only brought in as a last resort because the communities lack their own police.

Eco-devo secretary

After hearing from Tina Groening, chairman of the Marion County Economic Development Council, and board members from the City of Marion, Jami Williams and David Mayfield, the commissioners directed County Clerk Carol Maggard to begin advertising for a county economic development secretary.

Groening said the secretary is badly needed to act as a liaison for economic contacts with cities in the county and the Commission. She said Marion County misses economic opportunities when outside callers have no single office to contact.

The position will require a person who is a problem solver and decision maker, accountable to the county but also able to work with minimal supervision.

Williams, who is economic development director for Marion, recommended a team of three persons who live elsewhere than Marion County to do initial screening to eliminate preconceived attitudes toward local applicants as a factor.

Surface Water Board

The commissioners approved establishment of a nine-member Surface Water Advisory Board to make recommendations concerning cleanup and sedimentation of Marion Reservoir, as was partly recommended originally by Hillsboro City Administrator Steve Garrett.

Mayfield, who is city administrator for Marion, recommended as diverse a group as possible because of the many points of view to consider while also keeping a tie-breaking odd number of members.

For instance, what Mayfield said is most immediately important for cities is “real time” measurement of water quality at the reservoir for water treatment decisions and future development of recreation there that brings in money.

Holub said the county needs communication with all elements for quality water supplies and finances in the future. Where possible, he would like board members to be elected officials such as city council members.

The board, as proposed, would be chaired by a county commissioner, include one representative each from Hillsboro, Marion, Peabody and Marion County Lake, a representative of irrigators using the lake, a representative of recreational uses, and two representatives for agricultural interests in the watershed.

Planning and zoning issues

Bobbi Strait, director of planning, zoning and environmental health, presented a permit from the state for storm water runoff from the old landfill while a cap for it is under construction.

She said the state will require notification of water and gas monitoring at the landfill, and she will be present during monitoring the first year by contractors, so she can do the job herself in later years.

Holub led discussion on allowing firing ranges at the landfill for members of organizations such as Quail Unlimited.

Other issues

Michelle Abbott-Becker, director of communications and emergency management, said the Kansas Highway Patrol will do its tri-annual audit of the communications center and sheriff’s office Sept. 19.

The last audit gave the county a 99.9 percent rating, she said.

Abbott-Becker said, regarding the radio project, that portable radios “are in the hands” of emergency workers in the south half of the county. She said mobile radio units have been received by fire departments. Soon a repeater should be installed on the Lincolnville grain elevator, she said.

The commissioners discussed changing road names on north-south roads to alphabetical letters such as “A Road, B Road, etc.” because of the high rate of theft of named road signs like Nighthawk and Mustang.

More from article archives
Marion leaders may write ordinance for liquor-by-the-drink
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN JERRY ENGLER One effect arising from the November voters’ approval...
Read More