Commissioners hold marathon meeting
By Debbie Lowe

The Carroll County Commissioners worked hard for more than four hours to move through the mountain of information presented to them at the Monday morning meeting.

Topics discussed in-depth included the county traffic ordinance, Carroll Manor renovation, the SR75 extension feasibility study and the jail facility master plan report, plus other more routine, but just as important county matters.

Because at least three issues were complicated with much discussion, and in an effort to provide pertinent information about each, those topics will appear in this issue as separate stories.

The information below was also discussed in the extensive meeting.

Carroll County EMS

Emergency Medical Services Director Mike Durr received permission to negotiate the purchase of a new ambulance. Durr said the cost would be between $84,000 and $85,000 with a trade-in.

Durr reported the transition of service provision for Burlington is progressing with a building agreement, vehicle title transfer and agreements with surrounding agencies.

Other business

A service to alleviate monetary losses from properties in arrearage of property taxes for the county was presented by a representative of SRI.

The service would dictate commissioners take possession of the properties for disposition.

The goal of the program is to provide a way to move delinquent properties from that status to one of taxes being paid on them.

"I believe we need to clean up the tax rolls," Myers said. She noted the old Flora school is one of the delinquent properties.

County resident Judy Berkshire requested commissioners observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January on the day of his birth rather than in July as was the case in 2006.

Habitat for Humanity will post a sign on the courthouse lawn from Dec. 5 to 16. Carroll FFA will use the 4-H Community Building Dec. 20 for Christmas with the Animals.

Payroll claims for $178,481.02, highway claims for $503,318.85 and county operating claims for $148,087.12 were approved.

The next meeting will be Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.

Drainage board

County surveyor Wayne Chapman reported work done on drains in Madison, Burlington and Clay townships in November.

Chapman said he was "getting files up-to-date" from the past year.

After adjournment, commissioner and drainage board member Bill Brown confirmed with drainage board secretary Wanda Duff that the meeting that had just ended was her last meeting in her capacity as secretary.

Duff answered in the affirmative and said, "I appreciate your kindness - all of you. It certainly has been a pleasure working with you."

Board members discussed acquisition and storage of the files Duff holds for the county.