A new weed has worked its way in to Marion County, Noxious Weed Director Rollin Schmidt told Marion County Commission Monday.

He presented commissioners with a sample of Phragmites that was found along railroad tracks while a helicopter was spraying for other weeds. He said he was concerned the reed-like weed might reach Marion Reservoir, because it spreads rapidly in water.

Schmidt said it can be controlled with herbicide but not one the county uses against other weeds. Phragmites is not on the Kansas noxious weed list, so the county would need to determine who is responsible for the cost.

Holub takes blame for violation

Commission Chairman Dan Holub said an open-meetings violation by a commission-appointed committee was his fault, because he gave committee members incorrect advice.

He said he missed something in the Kansas Open Meetings Act that indicated appointed boards are subject to the act, but he tried to make sure everything was legal.

“It’s my fault,” he said. “They went ahead on my say-so, so I’ll take the heat for that.”

In other business:

• Commission met in closed session for 10 minutes with County Attorney Susan Robson and County Clerk Carol Maggard to discuss matters protected by attorney-client privilege. Commissioners took no action afterward.
• Mid-America Power Systems and Services will perform annual maintenance and inspection of a new generator at the county jail. The three-year contract is for $1,323 per year.
• Cooperative Grain and Supply of Hillsboro won a bid to provide 8,000 gallons of fuel to Marion County. The company bid $11,385 for 4,500 gallons of clear diesel, $4,552 for 2,000 gallons of dyed diesel, and $3,495 for 1,500 gallons of unleaded gasoline, for a total bid of $19,432. Cardie Oil Company of Tampa had a total bid of $19,552.
• Commissioner Randy Dallke requested a 10-minute executive session to discuss personnel. No action was taken when the commission returned to open session.

The next commission meeting will be Friday morning at Marion County Courthouse.