County OKs ARPA funds request
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
by Patty Cheffey
Marion County approved one request for ARPA funds while hearing a new request for funds as well.
Funds in the amount of $150,000 were approved with a stipulation for Grow and Learn Daycare in Hannibal, during Monday’s commission meeting, at which the commissioners also heard a request from Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water, accepted a bid, approved getting a free estimate for possible water damage to the courthouses and asked for assistance from area farmers.
In addition, the commissioners remanded a controversial zoning issue back to the Planning and Zoning Commission. (See related article).
Jen Miller, owner of Grow and Learn Daycare was present to ask again for ARPA funds, noting she had submitted the rest of the documentation which had been requested, including salaries and expenses from March 3, 2021 through Dec. 31, 2021.
When asked Allona Kizer with Mark Twain Regional Council of Government said she had not had time to figure total costs, but that everything Miller had submitted this time was allowable.
Miller had asked for $313,000, but was informed the county has only be approving no more than 50 percent of the requested amount.
Approval was given for $150,000 upon verification from Kizer on the amount.
In a related matter, Heath Hall with the Clarence Cannon Wholesale Water Commission and Rusty Rothweiler were present to ask for ARPA funds to assist with a water connection project between the water commission and Monroe City.
Since the project would have to include a new pump station, Hall said it would be a benefit to water users in rural Marion County as well.
The $8 million project will include 13 miles of pipes from Florida, Mo. to Monroe City as well as the new pump station.
Kizer noted the group has submitted their application, but added she had contacted the Department of Natural Resources which informed her there will probably be state ARPA money available for such projects, but would look over the project to see if it best fits county funds.
Western District Commissioner Steve Begley said he thought it would be best if it came out of state funds if approved.
In other business, the commissioners approved the low bid of $13,935.89 to install carpeting in the Palmyra Courthouse courtroom, which will be paid for out of ARPA funds.
Teya Stice, county improvement coordinator, noted there are 18 bookcases loaded with law books in a room and something will need to be done with those before carpeting is installed. She has contacted the judge for guidance.
The commissioners heard a presentation from Renodry USA, which dries out old buildings. They approved allowing the company to do a free inspection.
Once the inspection is completed, the company will visit again with the commissioners about problems and costs to dry out the masonry work. If there is damage, the county will need to hire a mason to have that repair work done.
The drying out system will become a permanent fixture in the courthouse if the county approves having the work done.
To help with the roads during the spring thaw, the commissioners are asking local farmers to notify the Highway Department before they start hauling large trucks of grain on the county roads.
The county then plans to lay out one and a half to two inches of gravel on the roads, which the trucks can then pack down as they are used to haul grain.
The commissioners also:
• approved budgeted transfers;
• rescinded a vote from last week to forgive a late penalty after learning by state statute they cannot do that;
• turned down an extended warranty on the new audio equipment in the Palmyra courtroom; and
• heard an update from Chariton Valley concerning the laying of fiber in the county.
Related Posts
