EDC urges commissioners to consider IPC land-buy
By Debbie Lowe

The land on the east and north sides of Carroll Manor has not yet been put on the market, but Indiana Packers Corporation wants to own it when it is sold. On two separate occasions that request was made to the Carroll County Commissioners during regularly scheduled public meetings. Both times there was no official action taken on the matter.

During the Monday night commissioners’ meeting, Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Daryl Smith again urged the county leaders to consider IPC’s request to purchase all or part of the county-owned land. He said his role, in part, as EDC director was to support present employers.

“I am not here to ask you to sell the land,” Smith said. “But you owe it to IPC to look at their request.”

Smith, referring to the sale as “an investment for the future of IPC,” said his request was for commissioners to have the land east of IPC surveyed and appraised to help them make a decision about selling.

He said EDC would like to protect Carroll Manor, noting two sets of recent renovation bids for the facility were higher than funding allowed.

“I understand that we value Carroll Manor,” he said.

County attorney Barry Emerson clarified that for a sale, state statute requires one survey and two appraisals. He said the asking price for the land could be no lower than the appraisals, but could be higher.

Emerson advised commissioners the county council would have to approve a sale price of over $50,000.

Both he and commissioners’ president Bill Brown agreed it was prudent to work with the council before seeking the needed work to prepare for a land sale.

The matter was scheduled to appear on the January council meeting agenda.

County holiday schedule

Commissioners adopted the 2007 county employee holiday schedule, which is identical to the state schedule.

County resident Judy Berkshire, along with Carroll County at the Crossroads Diversity Task Force members Kevin Dickman and Jackie Partlow, asked commissioners to set the tone for the rest of the county when considering when and how to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s day of birth.

Berkshire said the commissioners are the county leaders. She urged them to take a leadership role in helping others in the county to recognize diversity.

Berkshire proposed a proclamation to declare Jan. 15 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Carroll County.

The proclamation read, “We encourage all county residents to observe this day with appropriate civic, community and service activities to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. King.”

“Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only opportunity to celebrate diversity,” Dickman said. “If you set the standard, the rest of the county may follow suit,” he said.

Commissioners voted to adopt the state-observed holidays for county employees to observe, which included Jan. 15 as Dr. King’s birthday.

However, the day was not set because of the request of the group.

“If Independence Day fell on Thursday, I would absolutely vote to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Friday,” Brown stated.

Other holidays include celebrating Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Nov. 23 and George Washington’s birthday on Dec. 24 in 2007. The only holiday which does not occur near a weekend day is Independence Day, which will be celebrated on a Wednesday.

T.L. Regional Sewer District

Jefferson Township resident Gregory Smith asked to establish a fund for residents slated to become TLRSD customers. He said because of his low income and the probable cost to connect, along with the projected monthly bill of $65 for the actual service, he will experience difficulty in staying in his home.

“I would like Carroll County to pay the connection fees and the annual sewer bills to keep myself and others from becoming homeless,” he read from a prepared statement.

County auditor Beth Myers suggested he request financial assistance from the Jefferson Township’s township assistance fund.

Smith said the BioTown project in Reynolds offered to accept sewage from the TLRSD and surrounding area. He noted that measure would eliminate the need for wastewater treatment plants, thereby providing a substantial savings to customers.

“I hope BioTown works out,” Smith said. “I think it would be a better option for us all.”

Highway department

Three bids for stone were opened and accepted as recommended by county highway department supervisor Ramzi Awwad. The department will decide which company to use at appropriate times based on location of work in relation to the company.

Proposals for design engineering services from United Engineering and Stephen J. Christian and Associates were submitted. The scope of work on bridge #36 was to increase the load limit, widen the bridge and make abutment repairs.

Bridge #36 is located on CR300E south of CR150S. The proposals were taken under advisement.

Amendments to the recently adopted county-wide traffic ordinance were tabled. Awwad said more consultation with the sheriff’s department was needed before a recommendation would be made.

A policy to direct how volunteer firefighters, who work for the department, will be compensated if they leave work to fight a fire will be developed and presented at the Jan. 2 commissioners’ meeting.

Property assessments

Two contracts with Ad Valorem Solutions Inc. of Kokomo to provide assessment appeals and new construction appraisals and appeals were unanimously approved as requested by county assessor Doris McLeland.

McLeland said there are 42 taxpayer appeal hearings, some which include multiple parcels of land, scheduled for Jan. 9 beginning at 8:30 a.m. The appeals were generated from the recently mailed assessment form 11s.

There are 72 more taxpayers to date, who believe their assessments were inaccurate, to schedule for a hearing.

McLeland said appeals can be submitted until Jan. 10. For information about the appeals process, contact the assessor’s office at (765) 564-3444.

Other business

Clara Rider and Eric Ross were formally appointed to the Area IV Development Board of Directors. Although both individuals have been serving on the board, it was discovered that neither were appointed by a governmental agency as required.

The Old German Baptist Youth Group was given permission to have used the 4-H building on Dec. 16.

The next meeting will be Jan. 2 at 9 a.m.