Commission looks to haul trash closer to home to save fuel costs

By SUSAN BERG

Staff writer

Marion County Commission had an abbreviated agenda Monday with the most noteworthy item including a meeting with the Butler County Commission to discuss solid waste options.

Marion County Transfer Station Manager Rollin Schmidt had approached Butler County authorities about a contract with Marion County for solid waste.

Currently, the county hauls its trash to a landfill near Perry, east of Topeka. The commission is looking at options closer to home to save fuel costs.

In other business:

• Fuel costs are decreasing with the latest bids for diesel and unleaded fuel. Cooperative Grain & Supply of Hillsboro was the low bidder with a total bid of $24,117 for 5,500 gallons of diesel fuel at an approximate average price of $3.11 per gallon for diesel fuel and $2.63 per gallon for unleaded. Cardie Oil Company of Tampa presented a total bid of $24,500 for the same amount of fuel.
• The commission approved a resolution that acknowledged the Marion County Economic Development Council as part of the county’s strategic plan. County clerk Carol Maggard reported that the due date of the county’s strategic plan was Sept. 30 but the state had changed it to Oct. 31.
• It was noted that both mowers used by road and bridge personnel to mow weeds along roads are inoperable. One is repairable, said John Summerville, road and bridge superintendent, and one is not.
• The next regular commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.