Although a construction contract for the Yeoman Community Center/ Emergency Medical Services Garage project is ready to sign, there was a halt to the process at the Monday morning Carroll County Commissioners meeting. Commissioners tried to ascertain, given budget reductions from the county council, if there would be an ambulance to house at the facility in 2009 and beyond. It is a requirement of the state grant for an ambulance to be located at the facility.

However, according to Emergency Medical Services Director Mike Durr, budget reductions for the department demand a reduction in services to two facilities in the county.

"I have two ambulances," Durr said. "You tell me where to put them."

Commissioner George Mears suggested the grant administrator, Amy Miller, and Durr develop "creative financing" to be able to proceed with the project.

Commissioner Bill Brown called a lack of service in the area, "no damned good."

"We are failing the people of Carroll County by cutting the ambulance service," Brown said.

Commissioners' president Loren Hylton took a slightly different view.

"They (area residents) will have service, when the ambulance gets there," he said.

Commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson suggested Durr negotiate with hospitals in neighboring communities to possibly provide service to county residents.

Miller was directed to set a meeting time with state funding representatives to establish parameters for grant compliance. Miller said a final decision would have to be made by Jan. 30.

In another spending matter, commissioners were informed a grant to gather and remove 2008 flood debris in and along the Tippecanoe River from the emergency watershed program was awarded to Carroll County. Natural Resources Conservation Services representative Joe O'Donnell said commissioners would be responsible to solicit contractor bids and choose a firm to provide clean-up services. He advised the county would be obligated to provide "in kind" financial assistance in the form of debris removal and disposal.

Emerson warned county leaders to be aware of hidden costs associated with the project, such as man-hours/labor, administrative costs, and legal and tipping costs. He recommended they hire a grants coordinator to manage the project.

Emergency Management Agency Director Dave McDowell said because of the nature of the grant and the work to be performed, he could serve as the administrator and coordinator for the project. Commissioners consensus was for McDowell to take the lead in the matter.

Brown noted that he did not want a Department of Natural Resources river burden to shift to the county.

Highway department

A new highway department superintendent was named, but he may not sign a contract until the county receives a clarification about pay from the state.

Hylton said commissioners interviewed seven candidates for the position, two of which possess engineering degrees. It was believed the state would supplement the county salary by $20,000 for a qualified engineer in the position, however that fact had not been verified.

Former West Lafayette City Engineer Paul Couts was offered the position. Couts said the additional pay would be a factor in his decision to accept the position. Verification is expected by the Dec. 15 commissioners meeting. Couts said he could begin working immediately when a contract is signed.

TIF board appointments

Emerson announced that both the commissioners and council were to appoint the redevelopment commission board, previously the sole responsibility of the commissioners. He said all board members were willing to serve another year except for one, which he called a "crucial" appointment. Emerson said the new appointee could be involved in development of new tax increment financing districts and/or the extension of the current district. He urged commissioners to choose which seats they would be responsible to fill. Although the appointment would not be until January, Emerson said he thought commissioners would want time to consider options.

Commissioners decided to assume responsibility to fill the upcoming vacant seat. Emerson suggested out-going commissioner Mears as a possible candidate.

Other business

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sana Booker said two projects were begun with Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) monies. She said the group's tourism committee proposed signage for $3,899 out of $5,000 planned for the project.

Booker said a county-wide Web site was on the planning board. She said one firm was interviewed to provide the service and two other interviews are planned. She termed the project "not a quick-fix thing" to describe the amount of time needed to secure the most appropriate service provider.

Booker said the county chamber currently has 151 members and continues to offer workshops to the membership and to the community.

"We are committed to building a strong business community in Carroll County," she said.

Emerson distributed a draft for an inter-local agreement between the county and Delphi to provide combined dispatch services.

Emerson said the city wanted to finalize plans with the contract by Jan. 1.

Charlene Davis was re-appointed to the Flora-Monroe Township Public Library for a four-year term.

VFW Post #9383 will have a sign on the courthouse lawn Dec. 7-13.

A Carroll Manor application for Orton Zook was approved.

The next meeting will be Dec. 15 at 6 p.m.