By Rusty Nixon Correspondent
PLYMOUTH — Marshall County sex offenders will have to pay a fee when they register thanks to a new ordinance passed by the commissioners.
The ordinance requires a $50 fee be paid by all offenders when registering. When an offender registers, the information and address must be physically verified by law enforcement. The fee will offset the cost of man hours and other costs in that verification and the paperwork required.
There are also new rules regarding the use of All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) in the county. The new ordinance allows the vehicles to be operated on county roads but only with headlights, tail lights and brake lights functioning. The ordinance also requires proof of insurance for all ATVs and mandates daylight-hours-only operation unless on the owners’ own property.
The commissioners voted unanimously to suspend the rules on both ordinances to hear them on second and third reading.
County Attorney Jim Clevenger, saying, “…it’s never as easy as you think it’s going to be…” reported to the commissioners that a two-county agreement between Starke and Marshall Counties to cooperate on supplies and equipment for the two county highway departments had hit a snag.

State statute calls for a joint board to oversee the agreement to ensure that it’s complied with and that both parties are acting in good faith. Clevenger and the commissioners will investigate their options.
County EMA Director Clyde Avery reported to the commissioners that several local entities were in need of completing the NIMS compliance assistance support Tool completion report. Until the agencies have completed the assessment they could possibly be ineligible to apply for grant money for equipment.
Avery reported that the Town of Bourbon and the Marshall County Dive Team had been deleted from the system due to no, or very little activity on their account prior to the submission date of September 28, 2007.
“I know it’s been a problem getting everybody on board with this,” said Commissioners President Kevin Overmyer. “But you have our complete support.”
“This area had been stagnant for many years and you’ve at least got it moving in the right direction,” added Commissioner Tom Chamberlin.
The Commissioners voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the group Nature’s Way to provide for animal management in the case of a disaster. The Stafford Act federally mandates that local governments have a plan to deal with animals in cases of disaster. The group will provide the service free of charge.