Three sets of people are living in camping trailers as permanent residents on land they occupy in Marion County in violation of county zoning regulations.
During the Marion County Commission meeting Monday, Zoning Director Tonya Richard asked commissioners what should be done about them.
In regard to the health-related conditions in which these persons live, Richards said she didn’t know what arrangements they have for water supply and sewage.
She said sometimes residents are allowed by the county zoning committee to live on their land in campers during the prearranged time in which they are building a permanent home.
During discussion, the commissioners noted economic times are challenging enough that more people are attempting “to live off the grid” in campers and other situations to get by without paying the expenses and taxes of a home.
Commission Chairman Roger Fleming said the problem is that if one person is allowed to do this, two more will rise up to try to do the same thing.
The commissioners said there would be no problem if the people were genuinely moving around the country to approved camping areas, or only in a temporary situation.
They asked Richards to take the issue back to the planning commission for an opinion on strategy.
The commissioners approved a final disposition of county regulations for Windborne Energy Inc. from County Attorney Susan Robson, thus freeing the new company to contract with a wind farm electrical generating company.
Rex Frazier of Florence representing Windborne, said it is important that both the commissioners and any contracting company recognize that the agreement requires the generating company to pay an electrical production-sold fee in lieu of property tax.
The commissioners decided not to pursue a state grant presented by Sheriff Rob Craft that would provide 75 percent state and 25 percent county funding for hiring a new deputy for three years with the requirement for full county funding in a fourth year.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said the county would also be required to purchase another squad car for the deputy, plus provide gasoline and upkeep for it.
Commissioner Dan Holub said cutbacks in funding and programs by the state have become erratic enough that it’s difficult to tell what the program might be like in three years.
Craft verified that activity required by his office has increased to the point that another deputy is needed. But he and the commissioners agreed this could be considered later during the county’s budgeting process.
Health Department Administrator Diedre Serene reviewed multiple grants received annually through the state.
Road and Bridge Director Randy Crawford presented a contract for $21,312 from the firm of Cooke, Flatt & Strobel.
Commissioners received budget presentations from Prairie View—family mental health providers—and the Marion County Judicial Department.
Holub said he is disturbed by state attempts to cut funding to Prairie View in its attempts to help people in times of duress.
“The people who are the most helpless, they are hammering them,” he said.
Representatives from Prairie View said 90 percent of residents in Marion County are defined as living in poverty by federal guidelines.
They said 44.2 percent of Marion County school children qualify for reduced-price school lunches.
District Judge Michael Powers reviewed both budget stability and increases as costs fall back on the counties from the state for both county and district courts.
Marion County Emergency Management Services recorded 86 ambulance runs during May: 17 from Peabody, five from Florence, 33 from Marion, 26 from Hillsboro and six from Tampa.
The runs included 19 transfers, four cardiac, 32 medical emergency, three standby, five motor vehicle accidents, six falls, 14 no transfer, two “disregard” and one other.
One first-response run was made from Burns and two from Goessel.
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