County commission holds biggest payday of the year
Resolution seeks to keep driver's license renewals
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Marion County Commission met Jan. 31 in an end-of-the-month session and approved bill payments totaling $895,940.74.
However, upon the request of chairman Randy Dallke, a quarterly payment to Northview Developmental Services was withheld until further information is received on the status of the agency.
According to county clerk Carol Maggard, many annual and quarterly payments as well as all insurance premiums come due in January, making for an extraordinarily large pay-out.
Warrants included $119,847 for workers' compensation, $8,000 to Marion County Economic Development, and $12,000 to the Marion County Fair Board.
Encumbered funds from 2006 bills totaled $143,942.08.
Sales tax receipts from November sales totaled $43,268.90. This was below a year earlier, but Maggard pointed out that receipts have been higher overall for fiscal year 2006 compared to the previous six years.
In response to a consolidation effort by the state, the commission passed Resolution No. 703 in support of keeping driver's license renewals in the county treasurer's office.
"I think this is the best service we can provide," Dallke said.
Treasurer Jeannine Bateman reported that 1,123 people in Marion County signed a petition asking that the service be kept local.
"We decided to be proactive rather than reactive," Bateman said.
Statewide, more than 80,770 people have signed similar petitions.
Commissioners discussed recent feedback on the proposed new judicial center and jail.
"We're going to have to do more cutting or it will never pass," said Bob Hein.
"If I buy a house or car, I want the best for the money," Dallke said. He suggested the commission look at options.
It was pointed out that approximately $15,000 already has been spent on architectural drawings, and looking somewhere else would require them to start from scratch.
Holub was upset about all the negative feedback the commission has been getting about the project.
"It's not an extravagance," he said, referring to a comment in a local newspaper. "That was a cold shot."
The state fire marshal is scheduled to inspect the jail soon.
"He may shut us down. Then what will we do?" Holub said.
He claimed that once the project is paid off, it would net the county three-quarters of a million dollars per year.
"What else do we have in Marion County that can effect our tax dollars?" he asked. "We're trying to incarcerate prisoners without having to pay for it. We passed up an opportunity when we gave up the landfill. Are we going to do that again?"
Holub suggested it's possible that prisoners potentially could be used to provide labor in a recycling project.
"This thing could take a big tax load off the people," he insisted.
He noted that every jail that's been built throughout the state has been filled: "There hasn't been a single flop."
Dallke agreed the jail is outdated and that the project needs to be pursued.
Commissioners decided to ask architect Dan Hall to meet with them at the Monday meeting to explore options.
Zoning and sanitation administrator Bobbi Strait reported sending letters to owners of illegal salvage sites. They will have 30 days to clean them up.
Strait said one owner is applying for a conditional use permit. A hearing with the zoning board is set for Feb. 22.
Marquetta Eilerts was re-appointed to the planning board.
Fuel bids approved included $5,776.10 from Cardie Oil to service areas one and two, and $7,103.70 from Cooperative Grain and Supply to service areas three and four.
A tire bid of $29,634 from Cardie Oil was approved for the road and bridge department. Other bids received included $12,929.95 from Cooperative Grain and Supply, $29,651.19 on lower quality tires from Rod's Tire, $40,162.96 on high-quality tires from Rod's Tire, and $41,637.13 from Mike's Service.
After a 10-minute executive session with Jim Herzet to discuss personnel, the commission directed Herzet to suspend for seven days without pay an employee who was involved in a safety issue.
On Wednesday and Thursday, in executive sessions, commissioners conducted interviews with applicants for emergency management services director.
