The Marshall County Commission moved quickly through a fairly long agenda at its monthly meeting on Monday.

The only real item that stirred discussion was a last minute item added to the agenda concerning the subcontracting of several smaller jobs at the new county health department, currently under construction.

The necessary items fell outside of the original contract with the contractor and the county was seeking approval form the commission to explore bidding the jobs itself, as the contractors quote for the tasks was deemed excessive. In total, the expected work is expected to be roughly $50,000, which would still place the project under the amount originally budgeted for the project.

Some commissioners expressed concerns for a lack of financial detail in the resolution, although those concerns were allayed in that the county purchasing policies would still be followed and bids over $10,000 would still come before the commission.

“This is trying to get it done,” said Mayor Mike Keny, saying the county was hoping to open the new facility in the spring.

Ultimately, the resolution passed unanimously.

Commissioners approved a zoning resolution that would place the required setback for cell phone towers from habitable structures at 1,000 feet, up from the current 500 feet.

A vote on another zoning resolution setting guidelines for solar panel farms was postponed for further study and definition at the planning commission before returning at a future date for commission consideration.

Dr. Kenneth Phelps was unanimously approved for another term as the county coroner and medical director for the Emergency Medical Service.

Two state grants for Office of Emergency Management training purposes were also approved.

Several accounting adjustments to general fund and school fund balances were approved as well.

Keny informed the commission that long awaited final guidelines for the expenditure of American Recovery Act funds had been released and that the county would begin prioritizing projects that met the criteria.

The commission extended temporary personnel policies related to Covid issues through the end of February. The policies, which have been extended several times, were due to expire at the end of January but the ongoing surge in cases due to the Omicron strain required their extension.

The commissioners also approved the 2022 master road list for the county.

Marshall County currently maintains 477 roads, totalling 544 miles.

Nathan Johnson and Karen Hall were appointed to the county’s agriculture committee and Kevin Patin was confirmed to the 911 board.