Once again, land around Carroll Manor became a controversial topic during a Carroll County Commissioners meeting. Early last year Carroll County Economic Development Director Daryl Smith proposed county leaders enter into a conversation with Indiana Packers Corporation to purchase the land. After receiving criticism from taxpayers and Manor staff, the matter was not pursued in an open meeting.

Smith approached commissioners a second time about the matter at the Monday morning meeting. He requested permission to allow a private unnamed party to survey and appraise the approximately 30 acres. He said it would be a "preliminary" action to assess the county asset. The request was unanimously approved.

Smith said although IPC has the first right of refusal, with which commissioners attorney Barry Emerson agreed, IPC management had not expressed interest in developing the site immediately. He assured commissioners the survey and appraisal would be paid for by an unnamed private source.

"It would not involve county funds," Smith said.

Smith said the site could become an industrial site for any development, used in a trade for another parcel of land or a combination of a sale and trade. He said nothing could happen until information about the value of the land was known. He said all parties with vested interest in the land, such as Manor staff, the commissioners attorney and the commissioners, would be involved in a land sale. County resident Galen Perry objected to proceeding to a sale of the land. Smith said the goal of his request was to have the land surveyed and appraised and nothing else. Perry did not accept that explanation.

"Quit trying to baffle us with B.S. please," he retorted.

Emerson clarified approval of the request did not commit commissioners to a land sale. He said a sale would involve "extensive thought and analysis," as well as two appraisals.

As a member of the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission Emerson said it was possible that another tax increment financing (TIF) district could be formed to capture the additional property and personal tax revenue. Because the property is owned by the county, no tax revenues are currently realized from the land.

Emerson said because a private entity, or EDC, was going to fund the work, the survey and appraisal would belong to the paying entity, not the commissioners.

The request was approved providing commissioners receive a copy of the documents produced by the work.

EDIT plan

Commissioners adopted a 2008 Economic Development Income Tax plan as recommended by EDC and Carroll County Chamber of Commerce. A total of $438,173.85, from the 2008 appropriation and 2007 unused funds, will be available by the end of the year. The funds are received in two draws each year.

Entities receiving EDIT funding, which is controlled solely by commissioners, are:

• EDC - $93,598 for salaries/contract ($54,598), site development acquisition ($10,000) and site development expenses ($29,000);

• Carroll County Chamber of Commerce - $45,000 for annual operational support ($35,000), signage projects ($5,000) and county Web site and technology ($5,000);

• Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee expenseas for county zoning plan - $10,000;

• Yeoman Community Building/EMS Garage project - $10,000;

• County highway for road projects, i.e. county road extension of SR75 - $230,088.85; and

• County highway for Durapatcher contractual agreement - $49,487.

Commissioners agreed by consensus EDC and the county chamber will document and report expenses on a regular basis.

Yeoman/EMS grant

Grant coordinator Amy Miller reported there are three deadlines to meet for the grant. She said the deadline for an environmental review is July 31. She indicated the review is nearing completion.

Bid deadline is Nov. 30, however Miller said the commissioners will receive bids Aug. 4 at 9 a.m., well ahead of the deadline.

The final deadline, Jan. 31, 2009, is for the release of funds. Miller said all funds must be in place by that time for grant compliance.

She said the grant amount is $340,000, local match equaled $88,000, which included $40,000 from Carroll County, $30,000 from Yeoman, $3,000 from EDC and a $15,000 donation of engineering services. All bills and invoices will be processed by Miller before being presented to county auditor Beth Myers for payment.

Emerson said because the county was named grantee for funding, the commissioners would need to confirm the engineering services provider and approve building plans. Miller said the relationship between the county and the town of Yeoman was detailed in the lease agreement. Emerson suggested commissioners also review that document.

Highway department

Superintendent Ron Francis reported FEMA reimbursement initially approved for two reconstruction projects was not going to be received.

He said the cost of asphalt has risen to more than $8/ton which makes the cost to chip and seal one mile of road approximately $25,000. In an effort to counter-balance higher material costs, Francis said the normal number of summer help has not been employed this year. He said some mowing projects will go unaccomplished this summer. Francis said he put weed eaters in trucks for workers to use on a spot-by-spot basis.

Other business

Delphi Community Board of School Trustees President Robert Resler was appointed as a community, non-voting, member to Carroll County Redevelopment Commission. Emerson said Ressler was being nominated for the post without his knowledge.

He said the appointment from a school district was necessary due to a new law which took effect July 1. Emerson said if Resler chose not to serve, another appointment could be made.

Delphi Chamber of Commerce will use the courthouse and grounds for Old Settlers Aug. 6 to 9. The chamber is required to provide paper products for the restrooms.

Delphi Preservation Society will use Carroll Circuit Court Aug. 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. for a presentation about Indiana's historic buildings.

Carroll County Historical Society will use the rotunda and lounge Sept. 14 or 21 (rain date) for an antique appraisal fair. Approximately 400 to 500 visitors are expected at the event.

A section of the county personnel policy about mandatory retirement age was omitted by unanimous vote.

Payroll claims for $152,552.51, county general claims for $89,789.10, other county operating claims for $47,900.77 and highway claims for $104,061.55 were approved without comment.

Other business

Re-zoning for land at 8660N. 68E., Burrows, owned by Hershel G. Irvin III. was approved. The action received a favorable recommendation from Carroll County Area Plan Commission.

The next meeting will be July 21 at 9 a.m.

Drainage board

Due to the absence of county surveyor Wayne Chapman because of recent knee surgery, no work orders were discussed. Board chair George Mears reported construction has begun on the Boerman Dairy just south of Cutler.

"The drainage in the area should be better when they are done," he said.

The next meeting will be Aug. 4 at 8:30 a.m.