Commissioners pursue HHH relinquishment information
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Commissioners voted to hire the Troyer Group, Inc., to determine the scope of relinquishments of state road miles, from the state to the county, when the Hoosier Heartland Highway is completed. The measure was recommended by county highway superintendent Ron Francis.

Francis said he was urged by the county council to learn how many additional miles would be added to the county road inventory upon completion of the new state highway.

Francis said he chose the Troyer Group for the evaluation, for $28,600, over others suitable to perform the task, such as the current county bridge inspector, because the Troyer Group had no ties to the highway project. He said all small bridges and structures along the route would be evaluated. Francis said there was approximately $16,000 in the cumulative bridge account and he would fund the remainder of the cost from the local roads and streets fund and Major Moves.

Bridges and culverts

Engineering firm Butler, Fairman and Seifert Engineering was awarded the contract for services for Bridge #147. Commissioners and Francis used an Indiana Department of Transportation scoring system to evaluate the highest bidders.

Rinehart Excavating was awarded the contract for $81,500 for Culvert #1071 replacement. Francis evaluated the bids during the meeting to formulate the recommendation. He said the goal was to begin before harvest season was underway.

Francis said although another bidder gave a lower price for the work, Rinehart provided the lowest bid on equal evaluation. He said FEMA would submit approximately 50 percent of a reimbursement due to flood damage for the project, which is expected to cost roughly $187,000.

County road 75 extension

Francis also reported a representative from the Troyer Group made application for earmark funding from State Sen. Brandt Hershman's office for the county road extension project.

Yeoman Community Center/EMS Garage

Yeoman town engineer Ken Smith reported bids for the joint project were opened Aug. 18 and JR Kelly Construction was determined by the Town of Yeoman to be the lowest responsible bidder at $463,555. However, the bid amount exceeded the funding available. Smith said town leaders decided to guarantee payment of the overage by using investment money. Smith requested commissioners approve the town's choice and sign the contract with the construction company.

Commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson questioned if the Indiana State Board of Accounts approved the use of the investments for the funding given it was the third quarter of a the budget year.

Commissioners directed Smith to obtain a letter of approval from SBOA and a draft copy of the proposed contract with JR Kelly Construction. The matter will be addressed at the Oct. 6 meeting.

E-911

The contract for telephone provider service for E-911 expires at the end of September, according to program director Jay Dee Cree. Due to unforeseen obstacles encountered when negotiating a new contract with a different service provider, Cree said the department is not ready to change providers.

Commissioners tentatively ap- proved a one-year extension of the current contract with AT&T for $38,328.

Carroll Manor

One-half of the retainage held from Cooly Construction, or $30,602, for the renovation and elevator project at Carroll Manor will be released and slightly more than $6,000 will be paid directly to the company from which the new elevator was purchased. County auditor Beth Myers said approximately $30,000 remained in the retainage fund.

Donald F. Lamie and William Arvin were both admitted to Carroll Manor.

Indiana Packers Corporation will sponsor a pork chop lunch fundraiser for the Manor Sept. 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other business

An alley on the south side of SR25 in Burrows was vacated. According to the petitioners it was never used for vehicular traffic.

Indiana Department of Homeland Security representative Janet Bushy presented the concept for a district planning committee to emphasize community and state self reliance in times of disasters. Carroll County would be one of 10 districts in the state.

The plan contains three components. The first component of the plan is the district wide executive branch to include the commissioners' president Loren Hylton. The second will be a midstage committee to include one representative chosen by commissioners and one by Delphi Mayor Randy Strasser. The third component will be a district task force.

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sana Booker presented an overview of chamber activities. She said the mission of the chamber, in her words, is to "work together to make the entire county better."

Booker said the chamber hosted "informational luncheons" with small business marketing, customer service, stress management and diversity training.

First Steps Preschool will use the 4-H Community Building Oct. 29 from 4 to 9 p.m.

Tri Kappa will use the courthouse to host a visit with Santa Dec. 6.

The next meeting will be Oct. 6 at 9 a.m. Drainage board will meet at 8:30 a.m. on that day.