The Marion County Board of Supervisors met in regular and special session Tuesday.

In the regular session they heard a fiscal year 2023 employee benefit renewal presentation from Holmes Murphy & Associates. Options presented were to renew health insurance with Wellmark, with a premium increase of 10.42% which will result in approximately $220,000 in increased costs, to move to United Healthcare with a 33.6% increase, or to move to the relatively new company Gravie, which would be competitive at less than half of Wellmark’s bid. No decision was made.

The board also approved a site plan for the ministry “Developing Great Relationships” in Pella, and heard a presentation by County Engineer Tyler Christian on the T15 Flagler Bridge feasibility study that led to a motion to design a two-span bridge without a trail, with costs estimated to be $6 million. They considered a Hwy 92 road department shop plan and funding request, and took no action. The Board of Supervisors approved the road department’s acquisition of a portion of Center Street in Knoxville Estates and approved the department’s recommendation for no parking on the West End of Center Street. They considered American Rescue Plan (ARPA) fund disbursements to the County Engineer’s Office. 

Marion County received $3,229,502.50 and the board approved to use the ARPA funding to install sewers to 41 campsites at Marion County Park and add additional cabins at Cordova Park. Marion County Facilities and Maintenance Director Chris Nesteby gave the board a VA demolition project update and said the project is on schedule. The Board of Supervisors also approved federal disbursement of premium pay for essential workers during the COVID-19 public health emergency. In Marion County 138 employees are eligible for premium pay for a total of $500,000. Elected officials are not eligible.

In the special session Tuesday, the only item on the agenda was a discussion on the fiscal year 2022-2023 budget overview and process, but no action was taken.