County hears update on Douglass project, courthouse painting

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by Patty Cheffey

The Marion County Commission learned Monday the funds they allocated to the Douglass Community Services building project will not be used as a last resort.

Teya Stice, county coordinator, reported on a finance meeting held with Douglass Community Services, during which she learned the Community Development Block Grant program, which Douglass also received, will not allow matched funds to be set aside.

The county has already paid out $153,000 for a study and administration, and has two bills, totaling $184,000, from Bleigh Construction waiting to be paid. 

Those bills will be paid by CDBG, but any bills after that will be paid half by the county’s funds and half by CDBG until the county reaches its $500,000 match.

After that, CDBG will split the bills with Douglass’ funds, then the Rural Development grant and on down the list until the project is completed, Stice said.

In other business during the commission meeting Monday morning, Western District Commissioner Steve Begley reported the Roman numerals on the clocks at the Palmyra Courthouse have been painted, but will get a second coat.

In addition, the clock face glass will be getting a coat of paint, but Begley said Patriot Painting is experimenting with different paints to make sure the lights show through. Painting on that is expected to be completed next week.

The carpentry work is taking more time than expected, and tuck-pointing work needs to be done, Begley said.

The commissioners were working Monday to try to find someone to do the tuckpointing while the big crane is still at the courthouse.

It was noted, however, time is running out for when painting can be done before winter.

Karen Coleman, who works at the Extension office, requested she be allowed to bring her emotional support dog to work at the Palmyra Courthouse, but was told no.

Begley noted only service dogs are allowed, and the county was not going to start allowing other animals.

“We have to take a hard line on that,” he said.

Also in her report, Stice noted the new door at the Hannibal Courthouse has been installed.

In addition, the courthouses are ready to convert from the air conditioning to the heating system, and Peters Heating and Air Conditioning will be on site to do that work.

Stice added the janitors will be taking notes on what that procedure is so Peters will not need to be called in every spring and fall.

She also reported there is a blockage in one of the air conditioning lines at the Palmyra Courthouse, and Peters will need to come in and repair that.

Claims work is still on-going for the Hannibal Courthouse roof, she added.

Marla Meyers, county clerk, reported on fund balances and sales tax.

While sales tax was again down for the month, it continues to be up overall for the year.

Fund balances were up in September at $3,664,762.79 for the combined General Revenue and Road and Bridge funds, compared to $3,203,073.07 in September 2022.