The Marshall County Council voted Nov. 10 to start the process of buying a bond anticipation note connected to the Marshall County Regional Sewer District and later approved advertising an appropriation of about $3.4 million from the general fund to complete the purchase.

County attorney Marcel Levin presented a draft purchase agreement and described prior negotiations with Star Financial Bank, saying the county could end up absorbing a net cost between about $1.3 million and $1.4 million after receiving district assets. Levin told the council that the outstanding balance as of Nov. 13 would be about $3,337,152 and that interest accrues at roughly $492 per day.

Council members debated whether to wait the 30-day appeal window available to the sewer district before acting. Opponents urged waiting until the appeal period expires; proponents said the district had canceled meetings and that delaying the county’s purchase would cost taxpayers more in daily interest. One council member summarized the tradeoff: "It costs the county $500 a day" to wait, while another argued the county should not act until the 30-day appeal period had passed.

On a voice vote, the council approved a motion to "start the process of purchasing the note agreement for the bond for the Marshall County Regional Sewer District;" the motion was recorded as moved by Mrs. Cox, seconded by Mr. Patterson and carried 6–1. Later the council approved a separate motion to purchase the bond with general-fund money and to advertise the appropriation, stating an approximate purchase amount of $3,400,000 and an expectation of receiving district assets estimated between $2.0 million and $2.1 million.

The council discussed legal and procedural steps: advertising the purchase, a 10-day advertisement period before a hearing, and that purchasing the note would allow the county to claim district assets under the court order. Several members urged the sewer board to convene and finalize its business to avoid additional legal and interest costs.

Outcome and next steps: Council approved both motions (process start and fund-advertisement appropriation). The county will proceed with the advertisement and follow statutory notice requirements; appropriation and transfer of funds will follow the advertised process and any required hearings.

Votes at a glance: motion to begin purchase — carried 6–1; motion to advertise appropriation (~$3.4M from general fund) — carried 6–1.

Council members said they will pursue the advertising and appropriation mechanics next and expect to receive the sewer-district assets as part of the transaction. No firm guarantee of recovering the projected $2.0M–$2.1M was offered beyond the council’s legal assessment and the expectation stated in materials presented at the meeting.