Commissioners discuss bridge inspection
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by Patty Cheffey
There were no major surprises for Marion County as they reviewed the results of the recent bridge inspection.
Aaron Hugenberg called into Monday’s Marion County Commission meeting to update the commissioners on the recent inspection.
Also Monday, the commissioners reviewed sales tax and fund balances and discussed flooring in part of the jail.
The one main issue for the county was the bridge on County Road 281, which is showing some wear on one exterior and one interior beam.
“We’re not really worried about the interior beam, but the exterior beam is not holding up,” said Hugenberg. “I think the weight limit should be lowered from the current 20 tons to 10 tons.
“That will keep the bridge safer a little while longer.”
The commissioners approved that action and asked Mike Schaefer, county highway supervisor, to post the sign.
Hugenberg also discussed an old truss bridge on County Road 143, which is starting to show some wear.
“I think when you are sitting down to discuss long-range plans, you should include this bridge in your five to 10 year plans,” he said. “It’s got a lot of rust.”
He also noted the bridge on County Road 402, which the commissioners are currently working on to replace.
Teya Stice, county improvement coordinator, noted she had formally asked the county be allowed to go in the hole to build the bridge.
If that is approved, the bridge will go out for bid.
Hugenberg also suggested the county coat the pilings in the creeks.
“Some are starting to show rust,” he said, noting the best time to do the coating would be this summer when the water is down.
He noted depending on the product the county uses, they might be able to paint on top of the rust. Otherwise, they might have to clean it thoroughly prior to coating.
In other business, County Clerk Valerie Dornberger presented the latest sales tax and fund balance reports.
Although sales tax for General Revenue had been down quite a bit in April it was up for May.
May’s collection was $224,776.86 while it was $166,336.11 in May 2020.
It was noted, however, that with state employees still working from home, some might not have gotten all their figures in prior to the April count, which was down about $8,000 from the 2020 April collection.
Capital Improvement fund collection was also up for the month, at $168,582.38, compared to $124,752.04 in 2020.
The road fund tax came in at $112,361.57 for May 2021, compared to $82,714.20 in May 2020.
Local Use was down for the month of May at $74,896.43, compared to $83,278.41 in May 2020, but is still higher at $230,456.66 for the year to date, compared to this date in 2020, which was $203,856.63.
The combined Road and Bridge and General Revenue funds are in “pretty good shape”, Dornberger noted at $2,142,867.32 for the year to date.
Sheriff Jimmy Shinn presented a bid for floor replacement in the kitchen at the jail, but since it was over the $10,000 limit, the project must have a published bid.
In his report, Shaefer said his department is currently mowing, grading and doing necessary work on the roads shared by the Missouri Department of Conservation to use up the CART funds.
Stice reminded the commissioners there is a planning and zoning meeting this Thursday evening at 7 p.m.
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