Marion County Commission approves Peabody land purchase, extends custodial contract and hears lake revenue report

The Marion County Commission on Jan. 8 approved a county purchase of approximately 4.71 acres near Peabody and the transfer of county‑owned property at 106 West First Street in Peabody as part of a package intended for future county facility expansion, and moved several administrative items including a custodial contract and the county’s portion of the land bank budget.

In a motion presented after a brief executive session on property acquisition, Commissioner Dahlke moved ‘‘to purchase approximately 4.71 acres in Section 33 Township 21 South Range 3 East, commonly referred to partial ID 0247 for $25,000 plus the county owned property located at 106 West First Street in Peabody, commonly referred to as a partial ID PEC0124 Peabody Road And Bridge Shop, and to authorize the county administrator to sign in related agreements and closing documents.’’ Commissioner Gering seconded the motion; the commission approved it by a 5–0 voice vote.

On administrative business the commission approved the Marion County Land Bank’s 2025 budget (the county must separately approve the land bank budget transmitted by the land bank). The commission also approved a proposed custodial services contract with L and S Services for covered county facilities. The board approved a 12‑month contract with an amendment to extend for six additional months (an 18‑month maximum); Commissioner Crowfoot seconded the original motion and the board voted 5–0 to carry it.

The commission accepted minutes and routine change orders and recessed twice to hold executive sessions: one brief session on preliminary property acquisition (KSA 75‑4319(b)) that preceded the Peabody purchase motion, and a later executive session to discuss hiring an EMS director under KSA 75‑4319(e). No final hiring action was reported in open session following the EMS director executive session.

County Lake manager Isaac provided the commission with a detailed 2024 revenue and expense briefing for Marion County Lake operations. He reported total receipts of about $137,671 for 2024, with approximately $69,900 from trailer park rents, about $8,790 from the lake hall and $58,981 from county permits (which include camping and boat permits). Isaac said the trailer park has 52 lots; prior partial advance payments by some trailer owners affected year‑to‑year receipts, and with the new lot rent the trailer park’s annual revenues were projected to be closer to $93,500 under the current rates. He said county boat permits numbered “a little over 505” for the year.

Isaac also reviewed utilities and operating costs: electricity for the park was reported at $43,036.21, gas $7,907.01, water $19,621.87, sewer $23,316 and trash $7,372.55. He noted a year‑over‑year electrical increase and pointed to campground usage as the main driver of that rise.

The lake’s bay shop reported $25,250.29 in revenue and $19,886.72 in expense, a net positive of $5,363.57 for 2024. The commission discussed lake hall rentals, campground pricing, boat storage demand and ATV/golf‑cart permit enforcement; several commissioners praised lake improvements and staff management.

Public comment included Randy Halky of Peabody offering thanks to county staff and commissioners for their support during his tenure in local projects. Commissioners used their comment period to thank outgoing Commissioner Randy Dahlke for his years of service.

Ending: The commission adjourned after completing its agenda. County staff were directed to proceed with closing documents for the Peabody purchase and to follow up on the land bank budget transmission and the custodial contract implementation.