Commissioners sign county road extension contract

Carroll County Commissioners signed a contract with the Troyer Group for the first phase of work signaling the formal beginning of the county road extension of SR75 project through Camden Monday morning. The county leaders delayed signing it at a Dec. 15 meeting in order for the Troyer Group to make minor amendments and provide detailed financial information requested by new county highway engineer Paul Couts.

Couts distributed the financial information to Loren Hylton, Bill Brown and outgoing commissioner George Mears at the meeting. He said all parts of the project were identified and he said it was a "manageable situation"

"Everything is explained," he reported to the commissioners.

According to the financial forecast, the total county financial obligation for the project is $2,319,464 - or $2,105,343 after a $963,546 federal credit - over six years. The local cost for 2009 is $328,000, for engineering only. Overall engineering for the project will cost the county $993,990. Right-of-ways will be $147,808 and construction will total $1,177,666 local dollars, after the federal credit.

The situation was not as clear to two county council members and commissioner elect Pat Clawson, who were in the audience. Outgoing council member Steve Ashby urged commissioners to have a funding plan in place for the entire project before spending money in 2009 for the first phase. He said the state financial forecast was "bleak" and said some dollars for the project might not materialize as promised.

He reminded commissioners the county borrowed from the cumulative bridge fund in 2008 and it has not been repaid. He said it might not be fully repaid in 2009 as well. Ashby warned the county highway department could be "shorted" if money was not available from other sources for phase one.

"I am concerned about having the money," he said.

Ashby's concerns about funding the project were echoed by another county leader.

"Are you planning to deplete all of the EDIT (economic development income tax funding) for this project?" Clawson asked. "This is going to tie up a lot of dollars for a long time. What's the goal - industrial or jobs?"

Commissioners' president Loren Hylton said EDIT was the only fund commissioners control.

"This project is top priority, not a short-term thing," Hylton said. "The sooner we do something, the sooner we see results."

Bill Brown said the extension project would save other county roads from further deterioration. He explained the Rockfield area is the only area in the county fully suitable for many industries. He noted it offered heavy-rail service, gas, electric and sewage for development purposes.

Brown said the Indiana Department of Transportation changed construction plans to accommodate the alignment of the proposed county road, which would connect SR75 and the new highway when completed.

"Up until this time, Carroll County only pretended to do economic development," Brown said. "In some ways, this is a gamble. This says we do believe there is a future for Carroll County."

"The new road should not be a burden on county highway funds for a long time," he added.

"This project connects to the world," Mears said. "If we want to play with the big boys, we have to create a spot."

Ashby said he hoped commissioners would work as hard to figure out how to pay for the project for the next several years as they did to develop the project.

Hylton explained the funding plan. He said the 2009 expenditure would be paid out of the approximate $230,000 in EDIT, accumulated over several years. The balance of funds needed would be paid from the cumulative bridge account. He said EDIT funds are received each year and would be used as they become available.

According to the financial need forecast provided by Couts, the county would need $344,547 in 2010, $399,852 in 2011, $52,050 in 2012, $17,350 in 2013 and $1,777,666 in 2014.

Hylton said the project would be delayed if funds were not available after 2009.

"Something this huge needs a lot of thought," council member Ann Brown said.

She encouraged commissioners to delay a vote until more thought was given to the long-term funding plan as well as to the contract, which was before them to sign.

"Without the creation of this project, there would be no exit for SR75," Mears said.

He made the motion to approve the contract with the Troyer Group stating the important issue was to get the plan in place to be able to receive additional federal funding in the event that it was available. Brown provided the second and the motion passed unanimously.

Employment contracts

Contracts approved unanimously were: transfer station operator Russell Smith for $26,641, courthouse custodian Sheryl Shockley for $28,418, county attorney Barry Emerson for $9,017, emergency management agency director Dave McDowell for $35,525 and E- 911 director Jay Dee Cree for $31,860. A concern about Cree's potential for "dual employment" was resolved after discussion and input about the Indiana Code and a recent appellate court decision from Emerson.

A contract for an emergency medical services director for $37,000 was extended to Mike Durr in his absence. A contract for assistant Carroll Manor Superintendent Diane Brown for $25,508 was also extended due to her absence.

Other business

A contract with Gilliam's Glass Repair Service to replace and repair the courthouse skylight for $5,800 was approved.

Commissioners re-appointed Milton Rogers and Larry Trapp as voting members and Robert Resler as a non-voting member to the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission. One appointment was delayed to receive nominations. Ralph Hughes, Jay Bush and Pat Clawson were re-appointed to the Redevelopment Authority.

The next meeting will be Jan. 5 at 9 a.m.