April 5 ballot will have proposal for $2.5m bond, 1/2? sales tax

An April 5 ballot proposal for a $3.51 million bond issue financed by a half-cent sales tax to build a new jail subject was approved for legal publication Monday by the Marion County Board of Commissioners.

David Arteberry, bondsman with George K. Baum & Co., said at current sales rates, the half-cent tax should generate $520,770 annually for the county with annual payment of $255,000 due.

Arteberry said this could allow the bonds to be paid off in 10 years even though the bonds are for 20 years. Included in the referendum is an allowance to channel funds from property taxes to pay the bonds if sales taxes should drop.

Even if approved in the April election, Arteberry said the tax wouldn?t be implemented by the Kansas Department of Revenue until July 1.

The commissioners were to meet with jail committee members Tuesday night to discuss their involvement in informational meetings.

The commissioners agreed with Road and Bridge Director Jim Herzet to delay for another year construction of a bridge on 240th just west of the Chase County line to allow the county time to accrue funds for its estimated $620,000 cost when there is only $390,000 available for the project.

Herzet said bridge building delays may become common budgeting techniques if no danger is involved.

Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman said the recent Wichita Kansas Sports and Travel show showed a high degree of public interest and familiarity with Marion County?s lake and the federal reservoir.

Huffman told commissioners that even though the 2010 census showed a 5.25 percent decline in Marion County?s population to 11,982, there is disagreement from other agencies with ?numbers all over the place.?

The commissioners discussed moving their April 18 meeting to April 21 with Huffman to accommodate giving a mock session for Leadership Marion County participants, but also considered having the participants come to to the scheduled meeting time.

The commissioners approved Health Department Director Diedre Serene going with representatives from a half-dozen neighboring counties to a federally financed meeting on emergency dispersion of medical supplies in April.

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