County reviews score sheet for CARES Act funds

by Patty Cheffey

The Marion County Commission has a new criteria guide sheet to follow in ranking those seeking CARES Act funds.

During Monday’s meeting, Chris Kempke, chairman of the county’s CARES Act Committee, presented the commissioners with a criteria guide sheet to help them prioritize requests as they come in.

For public entities, county expenses are first priority with city expenses being second. Other public entity applications are scored based on the number listed in the “population within service area.”

Guidelines are also set up for businesses and non profits, with certain ones of those being considered only after others. 

In addition, Kempke noted certain requests, such as income replacement while not allowed right now, could be allowed later by the government.  

In those cases, any requests that fall within definite guidelines can be considered while others, such as income replacement, will have to wait, meaning only a partial amount can be awarded.

Kempke further noted there are several individuals, including himself and Teya Stice, county coordinator, who can answer questions about the application and process.

In other business, the commissioners met with Henry Martin, who is a candidate for the Sixth Congressional District.

Upon Martin’s request, the commissioners and Valerie Dornberger, county clerk, supplied Martin with several suggestions for what the county sees as needs, including better rural internet, more funding and guidance on balloting and assistance fighting drugs and crime in rural area.

Martin added he wants to be accountable and visible to the public, something he does not think the current congressman is.

Upon Stice’s requests, Kevin Meany, Round Grove Township, and Tom Rupp, Miller Township were reappointed to the county’s planning and zoning commission, which meets in August.

Although hoping to have gotten better results, Stice said a one to one trade for soft-match/hard match was all she could find. The county is needing to trade some soft match funds for hard match for another bridge project.

Stice also reported a fire panel in the Hannibal Courthouse and has been replaced.

Commissioners also signed an extension to use the AT&T parking lot in Hannibal.

Prior to the regular meeting the county’s Board of Equalization met to discuss assessment of the Hannibal Manor and Sherol Court Apartments.

Following the hearing, the commissioners voted to leave the assessments as provided by Mark Novak, assessor.

The county also held a closed session to go over information with the state auditors.