Building trimmed by $200,000

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Cody Nelson, who is overseeing construction of a new health department building presented plans Monday to trim $200,000 from the building’s estimated $1.8 million cost.

He and county administrator Tina Spencer had discussed the changes after commissioners indicated they wanted to reduce expenses.

They voted 4-0 to approve the changes. Commissioner Jonah Gehring abstained because he is bidding on electric work for the facility.

Demolition of the building site — a former food bank on Main St. in Marion — is expected to begin as early as this week.

Race approved

County commissioners gave approval Monday for county portions of the 100-mile Florence Grand Prix route May 25 and 26.

Flint Hills Bent Rims officers Bruce Skiles, Patty Putter, and Mike O’Dell told commissioners the organization has obtained insurance to cover landowners, the county, and the city of Florence.

The course will cross Yarrow Rd, which could mean closing the road May 26 or having a flagman at the crossing. 130th Rd. will be closed because racers will use part of it.

As of Monday morning, Putter said, 220 people had registered for the race. Last year, the event attracted more than 420 racers.

Alternative housing

Randy Dallke told fellow commissioners Monday that the county should consider developing policies on mobile home or shipping container homes in the county.

“I’d like to make it possible for people to have mobile homes with the prices of family homes going up,” Dallke said.