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Marion County commissioners table $88,000 security system purchase, set public hearing on County Highway 141 closure
Summary
At a county meeting, commissioners tabled a proposed Mercatus multi-site security camera and software purchase after questioning costs and coverage; they also set a June 15 public hearing on closing County Highway 141 and approved routine items including minutes, loan renewals and a hire.
Marion County commissioners on the evening’s agenda tabled a proposed multi-site security camera and software contract from Mercatus after members raised questions about total costs and coverage, and set a public hearing for June 15 to consider closing County Highway 141.
The commission debated a proposal to install cameras and a three-year software license at multiple county sites including the commission building, the courthouse and the airport. Scott, a county staff member presenting the quotes, said the contract bundled installation with three years of software licensing. “So our free trials are, you know, they’ve had to be extended a couple times,” Scott said, explaining the county had been on trial service and that a formal contract would include licensing after installation. Greg (a county commissioner) summarized the recurring cost estimate: “30,000 a year is what it’s basically gonna cost.”
Commissioners and staff discussed line-item estimates: a base quote for the commission building and additions that pushed that site’s price to about $14,003.27, and a courthouse estimate in the tens of thousands (the presenter cited figures consistent with roughly $38,000 for that building). Presenters described camera hardware prices in the roughly $10–$10.30 range per camera and said the package covered three years of licensing; staff characterized the larger number as the combined installation plus three-year licensing fee. Because commissioners asked for more complete cost breakdowns and additional detail from staff, the commission voted to table the purchase until Commissioner Tim returned so the board could discuss options with full information.
On another agenda item, the commission set a public hearing for County Highway 141 (correcting a prior reference to Highway 144) to consider closing the gravel segment that runs through timber company property. A commissioner said the closure is intended in part to prevent repeated illegal dumping at that location; the commission noted June 15 as the target hearing date.
The board also approved routine business: the minutes from the April regular meeting, accounts payable, renewal of loans with People’s Trust for Districts 1 and 3, and the hire of Roxanne Colburn for the revenue commissioner’s office. Where motions and approvals occurred in the record, the transcript includes calls for votes but does not list roll-call tallies.
Before adjourning, the chair reminded commissioners and staff to ensure polling places are ready for the primary election on the nineteenth. A motion was made and approved to enter executive session to discuss personal/financial matters before adjournment.
Next steps: the security camera purchase will be revisited after staff provides a clearer cost breakdown and after Commissioner Tim is present; the public hearing on County Highway 141 is scheduled for June 15. Vote tallies were not recorded in the transcript for the motions listed above.
