Commissioners approve grant, dedicate funds for Yeoman
\By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Timing is important when obtaining necessary documents and agreements to submit a grant proposal. Before county commissioners commit to spending county money, they need to know the county has the money to spend. It is a bonus to know out of which line item the funds will be taken.

Carroll County Commissioners adopted a resolution committing $30,000 from the county to the Yeoman Community Building and Emergency Medical Services garage project at the Monday morning meeting. However, it falls to the county council to make the resolution binding.

According to grant administrator Amy Miller, the grant proposal must be submitted to Rural Affairs by March 16. Miller said the county, not the town of Yeoman, will be considered the $425,000 grant recipient by the funders.

However, the funding plan for the county obligation was unable to be recalled by county leaders, as well as auditor Beth Myers. It was the consensus of the group that the project has been put on hold at different times in past years for different reasons and some details were no longer known.

County council is not scheduled to meet until March 20 at 6:30 p.m. Myers recommended a special council meeting should be set for the decision prior to the March 16 submission deadline.

*A special council meeting for Thursday, March 8 at 8 a.m. was announced later in the day.

Highway department

Construction bids for Bridge #129, located on CR600W over the Robinson Branch, were opened. Bid amounts from seven companies ranged from $139,906.56 to $301,420.90.

County highway supervisor Ramzi Awwad reported the engineers' estimate for construction was $178,400.

The bid award was tabled to provide time for tabulation. Awwad said bid tabulations would be available to the public by request when they are completed. To request a tabulation, residents can call the highway garage at (574) 967-4244.

Proposals from seven engineering firms were opened for construction inspection on the Wilson Bridge project along with three for the Burnett's Creek Arch.

The matters were tabled to provide adequate review time.

A $47,800 contract with United Consulting for design services for Bridge #502, located on CR750N over the Appleton Ditch, was signed.

Awwad said he met with representatives from the proposed Boerman Carroll Dairy and county economic development director Daryl Smith last week.

He reported Vreba Hoff Dairy Development has been cooperative in providing information about expected road usage. Awwad said they discussed options and analyzed information already provided.

Awwad said the consensus of the group was to limit use of county roads and use SR75 as the preferred route for trucks. He said Vreba Hoff planned to have clear communication with truck drivers to ensure understanding of the situation.

Commissioners adopted a policy of replacing mailboxes damaged by snowplows or the snow they threw to the roadsides. Boxes must be at least three feet from the edge of the road to qualify for replacement or repair. The county will allot up to $30 for each replacement. If the owner wants a more expensive box replaced, the county will provide $30 toward the desired unit. The owner will be required to file a claim with the auditor to receive money for the replacement.

Proposed dairy

County resident Grace Woodruff questioned the validity of the numbers used to anticipate the amount of revenue expected from the dairy, as reported by Smith at an earlier meeting. She said the numbers used were from another state with an inventory tax and were not Carroll County specific.

"What is the actual expected revenue to the county?" she asked. "I want to see specifics. I am not convinced this (dairy) will bring a lot of revenue into Carroll County."

"What are we basing the decision on in inviting this corporation into Carroll County?" she continued. "I'd like more evidence. Isn't it important to know?"

Commissioner president Loren Hylton said he consulted with other counties with dairies. He said there were no road concerns noted.

Woodruff said the proposed dairy in Democrat Township would be substantially larger than other Indiana dairies, which would make a difference in road usage, among other things.

Other business

It was announced bids will be opened at the March 19 meeting from farmers wanting to farm the land around Carroll Manor.

Brian Stirm representing the newly formed Carroll County Heritage Transportation group requested Economic Development Income Tax money for signs depicting the Wabash Heritage and the Potowatami Death March trails in Carroll County.

The matter was taken under advisement because the 2007 EDIT budget has yet to be developed. Stirm's was the first funding request of the year.

Deputy John Chapman provided a breakdown of funding from Partner's for a Drug Free Carroll County to local treatment, educational and law enforcement organizations.

The group issued $26,725 emanating from court fines for drug and alcohol-related offenses.

The E911 Advisory Board will use the courthouse lounge May 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.

Colonial Dames XVII Century will use the museum and restrooms March 24.

Delphi Community School Corporation will have a sign on the courthouse lawn March 22 to April 6 to advertise Kindergarten Round-Up.

Habitat for Humanity will have a sign on the lawn March 7 to 18 to advertise a soup supper.

Payroll claims for $189,082.83, highway claims for $122,485.08 and county operating claims for $130,782.14 were approved.

A letter from Flora Clerk- Treasurer Joretta Tinsman indicated the Area IV Flora School Senior Housing Project was put on hold.

In a March 2 Comet interview, Area IV Executive Director Sharon Wood said the grant proposal was not being submitted for the current funding round, but would be submitted in the next possible round.

Wood said if a market study was done right now, it would indicate a lack of need due to the Water Tower Place Senior Housing Project currently under construction in Delphi. She said the Delphi units are nearly completed and will be ready for occupancy by May 1 of this year.

They would be viewed as empty units to the funder in a market study, thereby suggesting there is no need in Carroll County for additional senior housing.

"We think the Flora Senior Housing Project is a great idea," Wood said. "We think it's doable and it will be great for the community. We fully intend to present it for application in the next possible round."

However, Wood said the next round could be a year away. She said the road to Delphi was a difficult struggle, "but Area IV persisted." Wood said the same dedication to the Flora project is present in the agency.

Wood said because the county commissioners agreed to not take the deed to the Flora school until financing was secure, "nobody is left holding the bag."

The next commissioners' meeting will be March 19 at 9 a.m.

Drainage Board

Drainage board president George Mears reported, in the absence of surveyor Wayne Chapman, there were no work orders to report. He said drainage plans for the proposed dairy had not been received.

The next meeting will be April 2 at 8:30 a.m.