Public works director wants title of superintendent

By SUSAN BERG

Staff writer

The roof of the Marion County Courthouse needs attention.

Marion County Clerk Carol Maggard told Marion County Commission Monday that shingles continue to be blown off the roof, particularly on the bell and clock tower. Shingles have been replaced on other parts of the building but the contractor was unable to reach the higher peak.

As a result of the loss of shingles, the roof now leaks into the attic and third floor of the courthouse.

Maggard explained that the courthouse originally had a tile roof. A tornado damaged the roof in the 1970s and the insurance company at that time convinced the commission to replace the roof with a composition shingle instead of tile.

In the 1990s, the roof needed to be repaired and the commission accepted the low bid but the work was inferior.

Commissioner Randy Dallke asked if the roof needed to be inspected by an independent company rather than a roofing contractor. Maggard suggested contacting the insurance company and have an adjuster take a look. The commission agreed.

In other business:

• Following a 10-minute executive session for personnel with acting county public works director John Summerville, it was indicated that Summerville is now the permanent department head but instead of having the title of public works director the title will revert to the former title of road and bridge superintendent. Summerville said he wasn’t comfortable with the public works director title because that typically indicates the person is an engineer.
• The commission discussed the issue of appraisers in other counties quitting their jobs because of challenges in implementing the new Orion computer system. The county will need to hire additional personnel when the new software is installed.
• Brian Frese was promoted from data collector to appraiser I and his salary increased from $1,547 per month to $1,647. Part-time employee Amber Hancock was moved to full-time data collector with a starting salary of $1,497 per month. Tammy Barnes was hired as a part-time employee at $8 per hour.
• A salary was approved for Carrie Cress at $1,545 per month in the emergency medical services department.
• Reserve office Chad Johanning was approved at a salary of $10.30 per hour.
• The next commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.