Sheriff goes looking for extra jail space
Staff writer
Marion County Sheriff Lee Becker told Marion County Commission before the Thanksgiving holiday break he was going to have to spend extra money finding places to house prisoners.
"We've got too many bodies and not enough room," the sheriff said during a phone conversation Wednesday with commissioners during the final November meeting. "We've got a population of 19 and 11 is our magic number."
Becker said three prisoners already had been taken to Rice County and he was needing to find room for five more. Unfortunately, no space is available in surrounding counties so Becker said he would have to go farther out to find places.
It costs $40 per day to feed and house a prisoner.
"If I can get to 10 (prisoners) we can accommodate our weekend court commits," Becker explained. Often, individuals convicted of various offenses are sentenced to serve time on weekends.
The sheriff said local jail numbers are not dwindling.
"We keep reviewing cases, but no one can OR-bond out," he told county commissioners. "I just wanted to keep you informed."
Chisholm Trail markers
Larry Buller said he had been contacted by Tom Frazee, an individual who is working on marking the Chisholm Trail, about determining the trail's path through Marion County. With that done, Frazee wanted Buller to erect signs marking the trail.
Buller said the markers would be placed on concrete posts projecting four and one-half feet from the ground. They will be placed on the back slope of ditches on the north side of the road wherever a road crosses the trail.
Twenty-six signs will be placed in Marion County, he said.
"Letters have been written to landowners for permission," Buller said. "Everyone I've talked to has been pretty much in favor."
Commissioner Leroy Wetta directed Buller to work with the county's road and bridge department in placing the signs.
"I want them put in a place where there's no right-of-way problem," he said.
In other matters
— The commission approved an area fuel bid from Cardie Oil Inc., Tampa, in the amount of $6,327.53.
— Commissioners visited with attorney Jim Kaup concerning the bond sale and closing for bonds which will be used to purchase the solid waste transfer station from KC Development. The bond closing date was set for 1:15 p.m. Dec. 19. County Clerk Carol Maggard asked Kaup to make sure bid information had been sent to the Marion County banks.
— Commissioners also authorized David Brazil, planning and zoning director, sanitarian and transfer station manager, to purchase a 1989 half-ton pickup with 8,400 miles at a price not to exceed $4,000. The pickup will be used at Brazil's discretion for use by the transfer station or sanitarian. Wetta's motion did not indicate where the truck would be purchased.
