County discusses Vet’s Road lighting

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by Patty Cheffey

Although it has been a wish to get lighting along Veterans Road for quite a while, the Marion County Commission plans to take steps to see if funding can be found to make that wish a possibility.

Also during their meeting last week, which was held on Tuesday because of the Monday holiday, the commissioners approved several ARPA fund requests.

Highway Patrol officers Mark Hicks and Peter Hummel were present at Monday’s commission meeting to express their desire to see Veterans Road get lights.

“In my own observations, it is dark along Veterans Road,” said Hicks, noting he has missed turns even though he is familiar with the area.

Hicks noted that with technology, more drivers are programming their GPS to take the shortest route, and that usually means Route W to Veterans Road and south.

“And when you get drivers who are unfamiliar with the area and the road, that can lead to problems,” he said.

Eastern District Commissioner Larry Welch noted the commissioners and Mike Schaefer, county highway supervisor, have been discussing lighting, at least at intersections, for quite a while.

Schaefer noted he has been looking into solar lighting, but if funding can be found, electrical lights would probably be the way to go.

Funds might be available from the Transportational Alternative Program (TAP), according to Western District Commissioner Steve Begley, who said he would check further into it.

To assist at turns, the city of Hannibal will be striping the road, hopefully soon, Schaefer added.

In other business Monday, commissioners visited with Steve McGregor concerning insurance updates.

McGregor noted rates have been increasing this year 10 to 15 percent, with up to 30 percent for cyber liability.

Some of the county offices are in the process of getting multifactor authentication, which McGregor said is a good thing.

Commissioners also learned the infrared scan of the jail roof took place last week in preparation for possible roof replacement.

During their meeting last week, commissioners reviewed ARPA applications with Ashley Long, who said the county is showing an unspent balance of $744,508.36.

The commissioners approved several applications including:

• $128,500 to Grow and Learn Daycare;

• $135,000 to  Zion Lutheran Preschool. Long said they need to show proof of payment of some items such as payroll, and they will have to get bids for some of the bigger items they wish to purchase; and

• $49,500 to  St. John Lutheran;

• $13,500 to Learning Opportunities for reimbursement for a staff registered nurse, who dealt with Marion County during the pandemic and  funding to replace duct work in the Hannibal office. 

Commissioners also set aside $50,000 for Harvest Outreach so that when they submit receipts, they will be paid. 

Teya Stice, county improvement coordinator, will contact all the applicants and let them know when their checks are ready.

In other business last week, Valerie Dornberger, Marion County clerk, reported fund balances for each fund of the county for the month of April 2022. 

At this time, all fund balances are healthy, and she will continue to monitor them. 

Sales and use tax were also reported with both being down as compared to the same time period in 2021. However, year to date sales and use tax are up overall, but she will continue to monitor them also. 

Stice showed commissioners pictures of County Road 402 bridge construction.

She also had a quote for epoxy flooring for the Hannibal Courthouse, but as it is over $10,000, it will be put out for bid.

Commissioners also:

• learned Kemner painting will be painting the tower area of Palmyra Courthouse mid to end of June;

• discussed the new storage building. MECO Engineering will be drawing up plans for it; and

• signed a project exemption certificate for Doyle Manufacturing.