Commissioners cautiously commit to Flora School project
By Debbie Lowe

Carroll County Commissioners wanted to be sure they were not assuming a responsibility the county could not financially tolerate before they agreed to assume the deed to the old Flora School property. Although a resolution was unanimously adopted at the Monday morning meeting, it was not to immediately assume the deed.

Resolution 2007-01 states the county will "commit to obtain the property from its current owners for failure to pay real estate taxes and transfer the property to the Town of Flora to then be conveyed to Area IV after Area IV arranges the necessary financing for the redevelopment."

The resolution provided the necessary site control designation for Area IV to apply for funding by March 1 for the adaptive redevelopment. Award notification is expected by mid-June.

County attorney Barry Emerson said the county would not take title to the land until project funding is secured by Area IV.

Emerson further clarified the back tax amount owed for the property was approximately $150,000, rather than a lesser amount he previously reported. He said there were condominiums in one section of the building and those owners were not delinquent in paying property taxes throughout the years.

Highway Department

Commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution to pay volunteer firemen and emergency personnel employed by the county to respond to emergencies on a limited basis.

"I think it's a good policy," commissioner Bill Brown said. "I am 100 percent in favor of this."

Engineering plans for Bridge #129, located on CR600W north of SR25, were approved. County highway supervisor Ramzi Awwad said the project will proceed to the bid phase.

A contract with Steven J. Christian Associates for work on Bridge #36, located on CR300E south of CR150S was approved. Costs included $13,000 for survey and design work and $7,700 for construction, engineering and observation.

A letter received by Shafer and Freeman Lakes Environmental Conservation Corporation Executive Director Daryl Johns requested commissioners consider raising the Tioga Bridge as a component of the renovation project.

Calling it a "non-functional bridge," county council member Steve Ashby recommended against the measure.

"This is gigantic waste of money," Ashby said.

"I don't see the value of the bridge," Brown said in agreement with Ashby.

Dairy CAFO

Residents Bob and Rosemary Dyer and Grace Woodruff voiced opposition to the county leaders allowing the proposed 4,100-head dairy CAFO to proceed without being prepared for deteriorating road conditions and traffic control.

Noting the Indiana Department of Environmental Management representatives stated at the public information meeting held Jan. 31 that the county zoning board and commissioners "have the final word," Woodruff said, "Now is when you can stop it."

"Are you prepared to deal with the backlash of many angry people?" she asked. "This is a Pandora's Box. We haven't looked into this to see what it means."

Woodruff said current residents would sell their houses and leave the area due to issues associated with the dairy that have not been addressed by county leaders.

"I think the ship has already sailed on this project," Emerson said. However he said the commissioners could amend zoning ordinances without going through the Area Plan Commission.

Rosemary Dyer said she disputed the land use would be agricultural because it was more factory-like in nature.

"What about our loyal taxpaying citizens?" she asked while reading a prepared statement. "I feel betrayed by Carroll County."

Other business

County prosecutor Trish Thompson will use the lounge Feb. 14 from noon to 3 p.m. for a county-wide law enforcement meeting.

Deer Creek Township Trustee Neda K. Duff will use the lounge on Thursdays from 3:30 to 6 p.m. for township assistance appointments.

Delphi Youth Baseball League will have a sign on the courthouse lawn Feb. 5 to 26.

Old German Baptist Youth will use the 4-H building April 13.

County extension agent Paul Marcellino was appointed to the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation.

Lois Powlen was appointed to the Delphi Library Board of Trustees for a four-year term.

Payroll claims for $176,702.44, highway claims for $96,488.90 and county operating claims for $439,347.65 were approved.

The next meeting will be Feb. 19 at 6 p.m.

After adjournment, commissioners scheduled a lunch with Cheryl Simpson of the Schneider Corporation.