A panoramic photo of the supercell as it moved in toward Hillsboro from Goessel.Phot by Dale Dalke.
The Marion County Board of Commissioners met for a short meeting on Monday at 9 a.m. where they declared a state of local disaster emergency for Marion County.
Commissioner Randy Dallke was present via telephone and the others attended in person. Emergency Management Director Randy Frank updated the Board on severe storms and tornadoes that occurred within Marion County on April 29.
“There were seven tornadoes, four officially confirmed,” said Frank.
He said that at this time, one home is known to have sustained damage.
Commissioner Jonah Gehring moved to adopt Resolution 2022-12 declaring a state of local disaster emergency for Marion County, Kansas. Becker seconded and the motion carried 5-0.
Frank asked that property owners who sustained damage contact dispatch to report it.
Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Director Sharon Omstead reported that she has located a 2019 Chevy ½ ton four-wheel drive quad cab pick-up truck that would be suitable for department use. The vehicle is at Midway Motors in Hillsboro for $37,995.00.
“I had reserved funds in my budget for a new vehicle, but the market went crazy after COVID hit. Vehicles have also been hard to find and cost-prohibitive,” said Omstead.
After discussion, Commissioner David Crofoot moved to proceed with purchasing the truck and to trade in the department’s Ford Expedition. Gehring seconded and the motion carried 5-0.
In other business, the board:
n approved a salary change sheet for the new Weed/HHW/Transfer Station Operations Specialist at $2,536.00 per month.
n reviewed and signed change orders affecting 2021 and prior years’ tax rolls.
