Commissioners allocate EDIT money
Yeoman grant denied but gets surge of county money for next round
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Commissioners designated a total of $387,166.27 Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) money for community projects, road equipment and work, a tax increment financing district feasibility study, and future roads associated with the Hoosier Heartland Highway at the Monday morning meeting. The Yeoman/ EMS building project was a surprising winner of an additional piece of the 2007 EDIT pie. The project was awarded twice the amount requested.

Funding from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs for the most recent grant proposal for the project, which combined an Emergency Medical Services garage with a community center in Yeoman, was denied. According to Chris Dorman, communications specialist, the grant proposal did not score high enough to be given the nod to proceed with public money. Although a 20 percent match of local money was required for submission, the Yeoman/EMS proposal had a 17.65 percent match, which cost the proposal much needed points to be awarded funds.

Although $5,000 was requested from EDIT money, commissioners decided to boost the project's potential for funding in the next round by doubling the request.

EMS Director Mike Durr received permission to develop an alternative plan for the EMS garage currently located on US421 just south of Yeoman in the event the next grant proposal is denied. Durr reported the county is paying $1,000/month to lease the building which houses the service, but the utility bills are exorbitant.

"I know the current facility is costing us dearly," Durr said. "The utilities are outrageous."

Durr reported some heating bills exceeded $1,200/month during cold weather. He said the longer the county waits to move the service "the more expensive it gets."

Other entities awarded EDIT funds were:

+ Economic Development Commission - $48,639 and $13,500 for an Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs Rural Capacity Grant match for a $150,000 grant to initiate a business incubator;

+ The Troyer Group - $940.50 for a mussel study for the SR75 extension study;

+ Highway Department - $80,000 to lease two Dura Patchers, tank and pad (on a two-year lease program);

+ Carroll County Advocates for Literacy - $1,000;

+ Carroll County Heritage Transportation - $1,500;

+ Tax Increment Financing District feasibility study - $5,000; and

+ Future road construction for the Hoosier Heartland Highway - $226,586.77.

Commissioner Bill Brown noted approximately $123,000 was already committed out of the 2008 EDIT budget due to the contract with EDC and the twoyear lease agreement for the road equipment.

Restitution sought

Commissioners voted to seek restitution from former county employee Rebecca Lohmiller. Lohmiller served as the county health nurse for nearly five years, but was recently convicted of practicing nursing without a license and fraud during her tenure with the county.

Lohmiller's sentencing hearing will be June 14. The county will ask for wages and benefits, including disability, paid to Lohmiller as a nurse with a masters' degree.

The measure was initiated by a letter from county prosecutor Tricia Thompson that suggested the request was an option for the county because the county would be considered a victim in the case. Commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson recommended commissioners consider the option.

"I am impressed with the prosecutor getting the conviction," he said in support of seeking restitution.

Courthouse door sealed

Due to falling debris from the west side exterior of the courthouse, commissioners ordered the south entrance door to the Historical Museum cordoned off pending a safety and damage inspection. The area will be barricaded immediately.

Bridge work

After verifying with auditor Beth Myers enough money existed in the account to pay for repairs to Bridge #36, located east of Bachelor Run, plans to proceed with the project were approved.

Jim Barker of J.A. Barker Engineering reported a tentative date of Aug. 22 as the bid opening for the Wilson Bridge project. He said the bridge will receive a wooden deck, which will last approximately 60 years.

Funding challenge

Council member Ann Brown issued a challenge to commissioners to organize with other counties and petition the state for a larger share of the state gas tax reimbursement.

"You're never going to get anywhere if you don't make the effort," she said. "Maybe with uniting with other counties, you can get some more funds for the roads."

State reimbursement is based on the number of passenger cars (not trucks) registered to the county. Brown said she consulted with Sen. Brandt Hershman about the issue and he said residents who licensed their passenger vehicles as trucks to avoid wearing seat belts will now license them as passenger cars, because of the new seat belt law. Hershman said the measure should increase the reimburse- ment to the county because the reason to license a passenger car as a truck no longer exists.

Brown presented a list of 37 Indiana counties that could be interested in a cooperative effort to increase the reimbursement.

Cell phone reimbursement

Myers was directed to follow the Internal Revenue Service Code guidelines for documentation required for cell phone reimbursements to county employees who use personal cell phones for county business. County employees who request reimbursement will be required to follow the guidelines before receiving county money.

Other business

County Road 725N from Springboro Rd. to CR 1150W will be paved next week after culvert and burming work are completed.

The next meeting will be June 18 at 6 p.m.