The project to build a new health department location in Marion County took a large leap forward at Monday’s regular county commission meeting.
The Commission approved a demo of the building on the department’s future location at 1220 E. Main St. in Marion. It approved the ordering of a new prefab building to be placed on the property, and it voted on how to allocate the funding the project needed. The action happened following Commissioner Randy Dallke giving an update on an earlier meeting in the day aimed at cutting down costs for the project.
“I think we can get in and keep it under $1.5 (million),” Dallke said about the construction portion of the building.
County Administrator Tina Spencer spoke on the overall project and said in total with furnishings and other soft costs it looked like it would come in at around $1.76 million.
She said that funding for the project would come from a number of sources.
She said previously the commission approved using $946,000 in remaining American Recovery Plan Act funds. Interest payments above budget projections would chip in another $258,000. There would be another $130,000 available through grant funds as well as from funding from the federal Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency program
“That leaves a balance to fund of about $422,000 for that whole project,” she said.
She proposed that funding be used by funds generated for the county by the construction of the Diamond Vista Windfarm. Those funds amount to $1.1 million according to the discussion at the meeting.
“That’s funding coming into the county and public health would be a good use for the county,” Commission Chair David Mueller said.
The Commission approved that suggestion 4-1 with Kent Becker voting against it.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of ordering a prebuilt metal building for the project. Finally, it approved paying $12,400 to Hett Construction to demolish the existing structure at the site with a 5-0 vote.
“The adventure moves to the next level,” Mueller said of the project.
In other business, the board:
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The commission held an executive session to discuss contract negotiations as privileged matters under the attorney-client relationship.
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Kevin Larson was appointed to the Marion County Advisory Committee for Prairie View
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Marion County will be transitioning back to the EMS Charts program to help manage patient records. They voted to enter into a 5-year agreement with the company, to pay $3,016 annually, plus a $520 first-year fee.
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The County supported two letters of support for a state grant to provide increased internet access in Marion County. On Feb. 28 Marion County Administrator Tina Spencer submitted a letter of support for a state grant to help extend IdeaTek internet service to parts of Marion County. The County would provide a $12,500 match for the state grant. On March 8 Spencer submitted a letter in support of the TCW Broadband’s application to provide fiber access to parts of the county. That pledge included an allocation of $100 per fiber drop.
