Odds & Ends from Marion Council

Odds & Ends from Marion Council

Revenues up, asphalt down, new home builds ‘ holding tough’

news@theeveningtimes.com

Marion sales tax collections were 6.4 percent better than budget for July and the city is still running about $240,000 ahead of budget through July.

City Treasurer David Rikard told the city council that the city is about 1 percent better than budget overall for the year.

General fund revenues were better than budget by $257,000 through July but expenses were worse than budget by about $17,000 for the month.

In other business:

• Street Department Manager Gordon Floyd said paving is completed on L.H. Polk, Carter Drive, and Rico Road.

Floyd said Cox Paving came in about $13,000 under their bid for the job.

“It’s a pretty good job,” Floyd said. “It looks nice.”

Floyd also informed the council that they will be done paving Miller Cover this week as well.

The city started the job about two weeks ago and finished one lane, but had to stop work because of a rainy week.

“We had a piece of equipment issue. And of course it rained,” Floyd said. “We laid just over 200 tons (of asphalt) over on Miller Cove. We’re a little over halfway through with the project.”

• Approved the final plat for Marion Lake Estates.

• Signed a proclamation declaring Sept. 16-23 as Constitution Week.

• Declared Oct. 7 Go Pink Day in Marion.

• Building Inspector Jerry Kelley informed the city council that there were five new homes built in July bringing the total to 25 for 2016.

Kelley said the city should reach its goal of 40 new homes for the year.

“We’ve been holding tough, right around 40,” Kelley said.

• Addressed a concern by resident Crystal Melloh about the condition of the roads in Delta Acres.

Melloh said Allen Cove is badly in need of repair.

“That road has been patched many times,” Melloh said. “The first time we get a freeze this winter those patches will pop out and we are left with these huge pot holes.”

Street Department manager Gordon Floyd said Allen Cove is high on their list.

“We’re trying to get one project done at a time,” Floyd said. “Every one of those streets are in line to be done.”

By Mark Randall