County covers busy agenda

by Patty Cheffey

Marion County has been the recipient of several funding options for projects, including a new warning siren in Taylor.

Ashley Long was present at Monday’s Marion County Commission meeting to review some of the projects for Marion County.

Also during their meeting, the commissioners reviewed sales tax information, heard an update on soft match and bridge inspections and discussed an incident with a sheriff’s vehicle.

According to Long, the funding was recently awarded through the State Emergency Management Agency to purchase and install an audible warning siren in Taylor.

The commissioners reviewed paperwork from the state during Monday’s meeting, showing the way is now clear to begin spending those funds.

Long also noted the Palmyra Recycle Center as award from the Mark Twain Solid Waste District was used to purchase a new forklift. That project has been completed.

She also reviewed the Marion County R-II School Plastics and Tire Reuse award from Mark Twain Solid Waste Management to purchase recycled equipment for their outdoor campus.

Recycled equipment included a Gaga ball game, recycled border timbers for the playground, a recycled Duromat tile walkway to the playground and recycled bleachers for the ball field.

Marion County 911 was awarded funding through RHSOC to sustain their satellite voice and date service as well as technical support for their Rapid Response Vehicle.

Long also told the commissioners the hazard mitigation plan will be reviewed and updated and noted the person in charge of that is hoping to have a meeting on March 31 for that purpose.

She also noted a project for a storm sewer in Hannibal and for hazmat material for the Hannibal Fire Department.

Long said the solid waste district is still accepting grant applications until March 29.

In other business, County Clerk Valerie Dornberger noted sales tax in February more than made up for the deficit in January.

General Revenue sales tax was at $189,040.41 compared to $167,791.64 in February 2020. That puts the total at $365,867.40 to date, compared to $359,469.42 at this point in 2020.

Local Use Tax was also up by a little over $30,000 compared to February 2020. It is $85,889.27, compared to $55,450.87 in February 2020.

Capital Improvements and Road and Bridge were also up compared to this time a year ago.

Teya Stice, county improvement coordinator, reported she has been having a tough time finding a county to do a soft match for hard match funds trade.

She noted she finally got through to St. Louis County who is checking to see if they are interested and will get back to her.

Mike Schaefer, county highway supervisor, reported the Missouri Department of Transportation has started bridge inspections in the county.

The commissioners also:

• approved a proclamation supporting the Second Amendment; and

• were notified the Regional Port Authority, which includes Marion County, has been approved.