Council to review building’s potential

Following a closed session to discuss an economic development issue and acquisition of property, Marion County Council members agreed to have the county’s administrator to seek an engineering and architectural firm to evaluate the potential county use of the old Marion Hospital.

The vacant Main Street building could house county offices.

In other matters, Council member Milton Troy II reminded council members that on Saturdays at the Marion County Technical Education Center, there is a Farmer’s Market.

The market, which recently received a temporary shelter, and for which a permanent site is being sought, sells fresh vegetables and fruits from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. each Saturday, he said, adding that the market is always looking for more produce to sell and more consumers.

During their July 14 meeting, council agreed to take bids for a county auditor, as the multi-year contract with Kenneth Cobb Co. has expired, Tim Harper, administrator, explained.

Harper also told council members that more fill dirt is needed to replace eroded dirt on the closed county landfill. Though the landfill is closed, he said, maintaining it is necessary. Harper said vegetation growth that was to help hold dirt in place had not taken root.

We have a serious erosion problem, he said, and we need to pull back about 16,000 cubic yards of dirt on that landfill. The county will also need to plant something for growth, he said so the site doesn’t continue to erode.

Work on cleaning out Smith swamp is completed, Harper said and work will begin soon on clearing out portions of Catfish Creek. The county had to receive an extension that requires the work to be done by Aug. 24, he said.

Council agreed to place rules regarding uses of the county’s public parks at the site. The county maintains seven parks and officials hope posting rules will remind people to pick up their trash and help to care for the facilities.

County council received updated personnel policy handbooks for first reading and second reading will be conducted at the next council meeting.

Council member Tom Shaw said he hopes work will begin soon on the rocking and paving of roads in the southern part of the county. Harper explained that the county is behind on that project because of its inkind work on the cleaning and clearing of Smith Swamp.

“Soon as its dry, we will begin,” Harper said.

County Council will meet at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers in City Hall on July 23 and will meet with the county’s municipal governments at 6 p.m. on July 30.