Marion extends truck loan 2 years
Staff writer
Marion City Council members discussed tens of thousands of dollars in unbudgeted or partially budgeted expenses Monday while agreeing to stretch lease-purchase payments for a new electric bucket truck from three years to five.
The change lowers monthly payments from $8,526.72 to $5,355.70 but increases total interest costs by about $14,000.
Administrator Brian Wells said the longer repayment schedule would help the city absorb an unexpected expense of more than $17,000 for two compressors needed to cool the community center ballroom.
The loan has no prepayment penalty, Wells said, meaning the city could pay additional principal later if funds become available.
The city also plans to sell two older electric department trucks and apply the proceeds to the new truck’s balance.
The original loan approved through Marion National Bank carried a interest rate of 3.95% over three years. The revised five-year loan carries a 4.25% rate.
Later in the meeting, Wells presented a list of expenses that were unbudgeted or only partially budgeted in 2026.
The largest was the community center ballroom HVAC repair, estimated at $17,200.
Other items included $22,292.30 for the city’s share of an airport fuel system project, almost $8,600 for a community center sewer check valve and outdoor drain, $3,108.74 for fire department hose and ladder testing, and $2,500 for fire department reporting software.
Additional expenses included about $1,700 for restoration of hot water at city hall and the community center and $2,108.16 for repairs to a sink and toilet in community center bathrooms.
The city also listed a possible $2,500 expense tied to monitoring Marion Reservoir water, though Wells said the state might not bill the city until next year.
Water department employee Jason Wheeler said Hillsboro had not formally agreed to share the cost but that it appeared likely.
Some expenses might be offset by maintenance money not needed elsewhere, Wells said, but “it’s not going to be a huge amount covered.”
Asked whether the city had unexpected revenue to offset the expenses, Wells pointed mainly to peddler permit money and contractor licensing tied to storm repair work.
Police Chief Aaron Slater introduced Jesse Rainey as Marion’s fourth full-time police officer. Slater said Rainey already was certified and had previous law enforcement experience.
Asked after the meeting about police staffing, Wells said the department likely would remain at four officers for now.
“There’s only going to be four for a while, probably,” Wells said. “We’re not going to increase it to five.”
Former Peabody police chief Matthew Neal has worked “a couple shifts” part time for Marion, Wells said.