Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Governance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Marion council hires two patrol officers, accepts annexation, approves vehicle purchase, adopts pension contributions and sets $100 levy
Summary
The Marion City Council unanimously approved hiring and swearing two patrol officers, accepted an annexation petition (Ordinance 3991), authorized a used vehicle purchase for a codes officer, adopted actuarial pension contributions (police $1,429,320; fire $1,155,660), and adopted Ordinance 3990 setting a $100 combined levy for fiscal year 2024–25.
The Marion City Council on its regular meeting unanimously approved a series of routine personnel, procurement and fiscal items, including hiring a new patrol officer, accepting an annexation petition and adopting actuarial pension contributions and a minimal tax levy.
Personnel and appointments: The council approved the recommendation of the merit board, Chief Fitz and Council to hire Landon Owens as a patrol officer at the agreed collective-bargaining pay rate, with a start date of Dec. 16, 2024. The motion carried on a unanimous roll call (Commissioners Patton, Barwick, Web, Stan and Mayor Absher voting "yay"). Landon Owens addressed the council, thanked members and said he was "ready to get to work," after which he was sworn in.
The council also introduced and administered the oath to Jacob Brazinski, a recent U.S. Air Force veteran who addressed the council about his seven years of service and said he was "excited to get started." Chief Fitz introduced both officers to the council.
Annexation and procurement: Council members approved Ordinance 3991 accepting a petition to annex a parcel on Pentecost Road owned by Larry Sherz. The property was described as entering a rural-agriculture classification; councilmembers noted the parcel has water and sewer infrastructure adjacent or on the lot. The motion passed unanimously.
Council approved purchase of a used GMC Terrain from Marion Toyota to serve as the codes officer’s vehicle. The listed price was $26,800 with a $2,000 trade-in value; the council stated a total due of $24,282 including transfer and title fees and approved the purchase by unanimous vote.
Pensions and tax levy: Treasurer Lance Roy presented actuarial recommendations for pension contributions. The council adopted annual contributions of $1,429,320 for the police pension and $1,155,660 for the fire pension for calendar year 2025; members discussed minor rounding to facilitate even monthly payments. The treasurer said the police fund is about 67% funded and the fire fund about 70% funded. The council voted to approve the actuarial recommendations on a roll call.
Separately, the council adopted Ordinance 3990 providing for the levy of taxes for fiscal year 2024–25 at a combined total of $100 across all properties, a procedural minimal levy the city has used in recent years; the ordinance passed unanimously.
Other business: Commissioners delivered routine departmental updates on streets, water, public safety statistics, community events and the Market Street facility. No executive session was requested; the council adjourned unanimously.
Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — approved (unanimous). Hire of Landon Owens — approved (unanimous). Swearing of Jacob Brazinski — completed. Ordinance 3991 (annexation) — approved (unanimous). Vehicle purchase (GMC Terrain) — approved (unanimous). Pension contributions (police $1,429,320; fire $1,155,660) — approved (unanimous). Ordinance 3990 (tax levy $100) — approved (unanimous).
