County plans to take deed on Flora School
By Debbie Lowe

In an effort to help the Town of Flora facilitate a senior housing project at the old Flora School, Carroll County Commissioners agreed to assume the deed for the land at their Tuesday morning meeting. However, the county does not plan to own it for long.

If all goes according to preliminary plans, the county would then deed the land and the building to the Area IV Development Corporation. Area IV would then begin a housing project targeted for seniors.

Area IV Agency Executive Director Sharon Wood said before the plan could reach fruition, the development corporation would have to determine the project as "doable." The corporation must also have a promise of "site control" from the county to be able to apply for tax credits.

Commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson said the county can gift a parcel of land to a 501(c)3. He advised there are approximately $51,000 in taxes owed on the land, which would be eliminated with the deed action.

According to Wood, the Area IV Development Corporation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. However, if and when the tax credits are sold, those who purchased them will own 99 percent of the project. She said the project will halt if the development corporation is unable to secure the tax credits. The tax credit application is due in March.

"Ultimately the property will go back on the county tax rolls," Wood said.

"I am absolutely in favor of supporting the Town of Flora on this," commissioner Bill Brown said.

County highway

The engineering firm of Steven J. Christian and Associates was approved to provide design services for the rehabilitation of Bridge #36, located on CR300E, south of CR150S.

County highway supervisor Ramzi Awwad said the firm was selected because of its qualifications. The next step in the process is to negotiate a fee for services.

Commissioners unanimously voted to replace Aecon Inc., the firm under contract to provide design services for the Burnett's Creek Arch, Bridge #181, project. Awwad recommended the action due to performance issues noted earlier during the Lancaster Covered Bridge project. He said Aecon was "unresponsive to county needs."

Awwad was directed to seek new proposals for the design phase of the Arch project.

Commissioners accepted engineering plans to move into the construction phase for work on Bridge #87, also known as the Green Bridge located on Meridian Rd. south of SR218.

Awwad was unwilling to name a construction date for Wilson Bridge. The project has yet to secure land for the right-of-way and Awwad said he did not want to present an inaccurate time frame.

Commissioners' president Loren Hylton requested Awwad make plans to remove the graffiti on the bridge outside of Delphi on Bicycle Bridge Rd.

"We need to get that out of there - we need to clean it up," Hylton said.

In a separate matter, commissioner George Mears urged Awwad to initiate an "Adopt-A-Road" program for the county. He said he knows of a group of "eager beavers" willing to participate.

Emerson was directed to prepare a resolution to allow county employees to be paid up to eight hours each month for time spent volunteering for emergency services.

County highway superintendent Ron Francis said he provided a copy of the proposal to Emerson.

According to Emerson, the proposal indicated the employees would be allowed two paid response calls per month, up to eight hours, if approved by the supervisor. Additional paid volunteer time would also have to be approved by the supervisor. County vehicles could be used as transportation to and from the volunteer site, but not to the actual emergency.

"I approve of the content," Emerson said.

"If we don't support them, how can we expect them to support the community?" asked Mears.

Sheriff's department

County sheriff Tony Burns was granted permission to contact the U.S. Marshal Service for a free courthouse security evaluation. Burns called building security "lacking." Burns suggested one way to increase security was to place an armed bailiff on the premises during working hours.

"Officer presence is a great deterrent," he said.

Burns said he plans to make cosmetic improvements to the jail. However, he said he would wait for direction from the commissioners before proceeding with larger repairs, such as new furnaces.

Brown reported that he was "dismayed" with last week's Comet editorial. He said he considered it "pretty inaccurate." Brown said he has "seen every inch of the building and it is not dirty." He said he "toured the jail three weeks ago and thought it was very clean."

"Nobody wants that facility to go downhill," he said.

Brown promised full support to Burns, but said he did not plan to "check on the sheriff." He said the commissioners have gotten monthly jail reports in the past with the same items listed monthly as needing repair. He said he encouraged the sheriff at the time to spend the money allocated in the county budget for those purposes.

Carroll Manor

A contract with Cooley Construction for $622,407 was endorsed for the renovation project.

According to project manager Dann Keiser, the contract length is 150 working days from the date of signing. He said the contract amount includes general renovation and asbestos abatement costs. Comprehensive Land Use Plan

Commissioners approved a contract for $58,000, plus $3,200 for reimbursable expenses if needed, with Ground Rules Inc.

"The money has been accumulated over the years for this purpose," county zoning administrator Dale Huffer said.

Huffer advised community involvement is an important component of the plan.

"We have to have community involvement," he concluded.

He said it would cost an additional $68,000 for the firm to provide an amended zoning ordinance, if the county chose to proceed with the services of Ground Rules.

Other business

A covered bridge certification for two county bridges to be forwarded to the state auditor was signed.

Delphi First Presbyterian Church will have a sign on the courthouse lawn monthly in 2007 advertising Deacon's Closet.

William Baber was appointed to the Rock Creek Cass/Carroll Conservancy District until Feb. 1. His elected position will become effective after that time.

Paul Yerkes was given permission to erect four bat boxes at Deer Creek Park. The project was an Eagle Scout endeavor.

Payroll for $174,515.30 was approved.

Commissioners were scheduled to have lunch after adjournment with Maryo Parasel of the Troyer Group.

The next meeting will be Feb. 5 at 9 a.m.