CHOPPERS TO BE USED TO DETECT MARIJUANA FIELDS

MARION -- The price is going up for putting coppers in choppers looking for
pot-growers.

The Ohio Attorney General entered into a contract with the Marion County
Sheriff's Office for the use of the county's helicopters in the detection
of marijuana fields. Unless both parties agree otherwise, the contract
limits the state's usage of the aircraft to a maximum of 177 flight hours,
or $48,750.

The state can use the Schewizer 300 helicopter for $275 per flight hour,
and the Bell OH 58 Aircraft fetches $325 per flight hour. Last year, the
Sheriff's Office charged $220 and $250, respectively.

The Sheriff's Office is expected to make a larger profit than last year
because of the increased rates. The money the office earns from the runs
pays for the sheriff's aviation program, bringing no expense to the
county's budget.

In other business:

The county engineer was given permission to repair the Holland Road bridge
in Marion Township. It will cost $25,720 to replace the steal stringer
beams, bridge floor and abutment work. After it's completed, the bridge
will be able to handle all legal load limits.

The commissioners approved an increase in the cost of the Bellaire Gardens
Flood and Drainage Project in Marion Township. Due to new easements and
changes needed in the alignment of the storm sewer, an additional $1,700 is
needed for the redesign work.
The contract the county originally signed with Bischoff Miller Consulting
Engineers was worth $9,000, of which $4,000 was paid by Marion Township and
the rest through Community Development Block Grant funds.

The commissioners appropriated $3,273 to fix the generator at the Edward J.
Ruzzo Juvenile Detention Center.

Marion County Disaster Services was given the go-ahead to apply for $5,872
from the State of Ohio's 2003 Homeland Security Grant Exercise Program.

The board approved a contract with the Ohio Department of Health for
payment of $61,250 for services provided from July 1, 2003, to June 30,
2004, by the Marion County Family and Children First Council.

The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in their
chambers, located in the Marion County Building.