County proposes six-mill increase for 2006 years ago
Staff reporter
The 2006 county budget will see an increase of more than six mills.
During the public hearing Monday for the upcoming budget year, Marion County Commissioners reviewed information from the county's auditors regarding the increase.
The commission already had decided to raise the mill levy by four mills for 2006, and published the results in last week's newspaper.
The increase of two additional mills will make $195,000 available for road projects.
The two mills will be transferred from the county's general fund as road and bridge sales tax revenue to the capital improvement fund for the road and bridge department.
The commission also will consider an increase to the county appraiser's personal services line item at the next commission meeting.
The auditor will review the changes and the commission will approve the budget changes at the next commission meeting. A public hearing is scheduled for Sept. 12 during a regular commission meeting. Public comment will be heard at that meeting.
In other business:
— Cindy Magill has been hired as the county appraiser. McGill is from Butler County and will begin employment Sept. 12. She plans to move to Marion County within 30 days, reported commission chairman Bob Hein.
— The commission approved Unruh Excavating to complete the necessary cover dirt work for closing of the former county landfill.
The excavation company currently is doing construction work for the landfill closure. Kansas Department of Health & Environment officials determined the area that needed to be covered was larger than originally planned.
The cost will be $1.70 per cubic yard for the work which will take the company about a half day to complete. If county road and bridge personnel were to do the work, it would take three or four days due to mobilizing equipment and using smaller equipment.
"Is this going to be a money pit?" asked commissioner Dan Holub. Brazil responded that adjustments are common in construction.
— Brazil was instructed by the commission to proceed with planned improvements to the county's transfer station.
Roof repairs had been completed this past week, Brazil said. There is $16,000 encumbered from 2004, to cover sealing and painting costs for the building.
— Holub asked Brazil to refrain from using paid consultants when it is not necessary.
Holub suggested Brazil use local resources like the county attorney and the planning commission, and the League of Kansas Municipalities, and attorney general's office.
— Monthly reports for July were presented by Brazil for the departments he oversees.
Nearly 80 percent of the commodities line item in the transfer station budget has been expended, Brazil reported. He noted the bottom line needs to be within budget and would make adjustments to compensate for the expended funds from that line item.
Environment health department has expended 58 percent of the funds. Holub asked Brazil if there were written requirements for septic systems available for those who inquire. Brazil said he explains the options to applicants. Holub recommended the options be in writing.
— County sheriff Lee Becker asked if the commissioners wanted to ride together in a 14-passenger van to Colorado for training regarding the construction of a new jail. Becker was instructed to make arrangements.
Becker requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss personnel. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
The next commission meeting will be at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
