County approves bids for office remodeling projects

The Marion County Commis?sion Monday approved bids of $1,860 for zoning department remodeling and $4,485 for health department remodeling, both in the same leased building in downt?own Marion, but not before the commissioners agreed that at some point upgrades will need to stop in favor of building another facility on courthouse grounds.

Commission Chairman Randy Dallke suggested that it may be even better use of resources to locate a temporary building on the new jail grounds east of the courthouse.

Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Director Tonya Richards said her part of the upgrade by Gillett Construction of Marion will be used to insulate, Sheetrock and install an emergency door.

Health Department Administrator Diedre Serene said her part of the upgrade by Dyck Construction of Hillsboro will upgrade privacy sections for patients.

Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman said she will begin seeking grants this week for an upgraded kitchen for the Marion County Lake Hall that will enable use for commercial kitchen education through various cooperating established institutions such as Kansas State University.

The facility also could be used to start cooking businesses, and be available for lease for special events by the public, she said.

The commissioners said following a presentation on iPad use in place of paper copies by Hillsboro City Administrator Larry Paine and Hillsboro Economic Director Clint Seibel that they will soon probably approve purchase of iPads for county commission meetings.

They also plan to verify whether county departments could use the technology to save the county money in regards to paper use and paper storage.

Paine said iPad usage has lowered Hillsboro?s city meeting paper use from $15,120 annually to an iPad cost of $1,440 annually.

The commissioners met in 25 minutes of executive sessions for personnel.

At the Jan. 31 payday meeting, County Clerk Tina Spencer gave a payday figure of $1,118,624.28.

The commissioners approved County Attorney Susan Robson?s last efforts to allow property owners to pay $73,000 in 2008 taxes on 40 properties before they are sold at tax auction.

The commissioners concurred with Robson and Sheriff Rob Craft that the owner of cattle that are continually out on roads south of 190th and Nighthawk, with possible endangerment to drivers, should have to pay costs of penning cattle or lose the cattle to county sales of the animals.

Commissioner Roger Fleming said expenses of county handling of the cattle should be high enough that it is cheaper for the owner to fix fences.

Craft said the situation is chronic, and it is different than the livestock owner who just occasionally has animals out. Human lives and safety could be endangered with possible motor vehicle collisions with the animals, he said.

Commissioner Dan Holub said the cattle owner should be notified of possible actions by certified mail.

The commissioners agreed with concerns presented by Dave Yates, county lake resident, saying they will look at a non-county roadway created by public use and traffic to lots beyond the Marion City Airport.

Yates said motorists often travel the pathway road at rates up to 40 miles an hour.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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