Staff writer
County commissioners directed county attorney Susan Robson to get bids for inspection of the former Straub International building in Marion, but say they aren’t ready to disclose why the county is eyeing the property.
Commissioners toured the building last week.
“We’re just looking at the building,” said commissioner Randy Dallke. “I’m just looking for the dollars and cents.”
Dallke said commissioners are trying to save the county some money, but did not elaborate.
The agricultural implement dealer, based in Great Bend, closed its Marion location in July. Other Straub locations remain in the region. At the time of the closure, appraiser Brian Frese said the land and building were valued at $300,850.
Commissioners earlier discussed building a new shop south of Marion. Dallke said in his opinion it might be in the county’s interest to evaluate and consider the Straub building for a new shop.
With many factors to consider, the county needs to save money where it can, Dallke said.
A sought-after grant to repair a bridge on the Marion-Dickenson county line has been approved for 2018, road and bridge superintendent Jesse Hamm told commissioners who then voted to hire BG Consultants of Emporia to begin engineering work for the project. Dickenson County earlier agreed to pay 60 percent of costs not covered by the grant for replacement of the metal span bridge.
Robson said she’d been approached by county fire chiefs asking that burn rules be modified. Commissioners said they were willing to consider a change if Robson presented it, but will likely not be ready to make changes until spring.