Staff writer
Marion County Commission approved a storage contract with Cooperative Grain and Supply in Hillsboro.
The 4,800 square foot storage building in Hillsboro’s industrial park would house a generator, command, tower, and small trailer and a pickup truck that was confiscated for evidence by Marion County Sheriff’s Department. Rent for the agreement would cost $250. The commission is looking for a one-year commitment for the space, although the coop has to approve the deal.
Economic Development Director Teresa Huffman previously stored equipment in the building the county rented from the city of Marion. The commission approved an additional $75 a month for Huffman to use to find a convenient space for her equipment.
Neighborhood Revitalization
The commission approved neighborhood revitalization tax rebate for Charles Dannenfelser although his property on 90th Road, near the intersection of U.S. 50 and Sunflower, is not yet complete.
The commissioner concluded to have the rebate account for 75 percent completion of the construction job. Dannenfelser said he has already spent $200,000 on the project. Commissioner Randy Dallke added that the valuation of the property could increase but the rebate would not when the house was complete.
Dannenfesler applied for neighborhood revitalization in February 2010 and planned for construction to be completed by December 2010. He had an extension for the property to June 2011 but he said he ran into financial difficulties. He said he plans to live in the house on 90th Road by Thanksgiving.
In other business:
- Huffman discussed Rural Opportunity Zone funding with the commission. She said there are about 12 people on the waiting list to be approved by the state that want to move to Marion County. However, the commission did not express any desire to change the county’s contribution to the program, $3,000, for the two people receiving student loan reimbursement.
- Health Department Director Diedre Serene discussed a contract with Cowley and Sumner County to share an administrator for the paper work for a grant. Marion County is receiving a Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant worth $14,828 it uses to pay for training, exercises, and evaluations for emergencies. A requirement of that grant is to write account reports, standard operating guide, and call lists. Cowley County Administrator David Brazil would take over the duties. The agreement is still in preliminary stages right now.
- The commission approved a chemical bid from Markley service for 50 gallons of Tordon 22k for $2,400. The other bid was from Ag Service for $2,500. Noxious Weed Department Director Rollin Schmidt said Tordon is one of the chemicals that could dramatically increase in price, about $3 a gallon, with an industry-induced shortage. With extra money in the noxious weed fund, Schmidt asked if commissioners wanted him to purchase more chemicals while prices were cheap. Dallke added it is always Schmidt’s attitude to try save money by planning and told him to go ahead with purchases.