Yeoman/EMS
Riverboat gambling money to be used for grant match
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Council members approved the use of $30,000 of riverboat gambling money for a grant match for the joint Yeoman Community Center and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) garage project.

County auditor Beth Myers reported during the special March 8 morning meeting, $30,000 for the project was put in the EMS budget for two years until 2007, when it was deleted.

She said the council decided during 2007 budget hearings if the money was needed, it would be appropriated out of the riverboat gambling fund.

Project grant coordinator Amy Miller said Carroll County would be considered the sole recipient of the grant by the Office of Community Rural Affairs. Yeoman would not be considered a sub-recipient.

Miller said the town of Yeoman would own the entire building, which would house both entities. The county will lease the EMS garage space for one dollar a year.

Miller said the grant request was $350,000 and a $75,000 county match was needed. Yeoman contributed $30,000 toward the match ($15,000 of that was awarded to the project by the county commissioners approximately two years ago) and there were $15,000 in-kind donations. A balance of $30,000 was requested from the county.

Council member Steve Ashby voiced concerns about the design of the facility for the EMS portion and about the town's ability to support the building financially after construction.

Ashby requested to see a budget for the completed project that would show ability to pay for the facility after it was built. In addition he requested a floor plan for the project. Miller was unable to produce the documents for review at the meeting.

"I just have a problem buying something when you don't know what you are getting," Ashby said.

Council member Ron Slavens said an EMS garage site at Yeoman would be centrally located and advantageous to that area of the county.

Council president Rob Baker said he wanted assurance that future financial obligations could be met by Yeoman.

Yeoman Clerk-Treasurer Peggy Braden said the town would be able to financially maintain the planned project.

Baker was told the new facility would not provide storage for additional equipment, such as the county-owned hovercraft, which is currently stored in the EMS facility on US421.

Council member Jerry Hendress said he was comfortable with the situation, given the county would not "own" the building. He said he was in favor of the project as long as the only county obligation was to receive and disperse funds.

A plan to address a possible funding shortfall for construction was provided by Miller upon request by council member Ann Brown.

Member Carl Abbott provided the motion to approve appropriation of the funds and Nancy Cripe gave the second. The motion was approved 5 to 1. Ashby voted against the appropriation.

After the meeting adjourned all council members remained seated and received information from Brown about the special finance committee established to investigate a possible shortfall in the county reserve.

Brown said Rick Colton of the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBA) advised the council to request a fast-track audit, which would give the committee additional spending information germane to the internal investigation. Brown said the request would be presented to the SBA in a letter signed by all council members.

A special council meeting March 16 at 8 a.m. will be held to discuss and sign the letter.