Carroll County Commissioners learned about the vast extent of damage to county roads at their Monday morning meeting. County highway engineer Paul Couts reported that three roads and five culvert were damaged to the point of closure and several suffered damage which will need to be repaired to be safe.

Couts said CR200N from 125W to 450W, Meridian Rd. from 300N to SR218 and 900N from 175W to 50W were closed due to the Friday night storms. Two culverts on 125W were damaged and CR450W, from 200N to 300N, and 300N, from 450W to 300W suffered significant damage. Couts also reported damage to roads 300N, 100N, Division Line Rd. and 175W. He said water took asphalt off of roads within three miles of 200N, 550W and Meridian Rd.

However, Couts had more bad news. A highway truck was totally damaged when the road base underneath it was washed away and the asphalt collapsed. He said the driver suffered some physical injuries but is expected to recover.

Commissioner Pat Clawson said water rose 18 feet and then fell down again in Deer Creek in a short amount of time.

"I've never seen water move the way it moved Friday night," he said.

Couts said at least two road closed signs were stolen since the bad weather. He said witnesses reported someone in a red pick-up truck taking at least one. Anyone with information about the thefts was encouraged to report to the sheriffs department at (765) 564-2413.

Other highway news

Commissioners endorsed design plans for Bridge #81, located east of Camden on 150E., south of Paint Creek Cemetery. The structure is a 1905 Pony Truss bridge and due to a funding stipulation, must be stored until it can be given to a non-profit organization.

Couts said the federal project will cost $415,000 and the county is responsible for 20 percent, or $83,000 for construction and 17 percent, or $14,110, for inspection services. Bid letting is expected to be no later than Nov. 4.

HHC Overlay

Commissioners tabled adoption of the Hoosier Heartland Corridor Overlay presented by Carroll County Area Plan Commission Attorney Cynthia Harmon. Harmon said APC approved the land regulation measure for 1,000 feet on either side of the 300 foot right-of-way for the new highway at its April meeting. She said the county will control virtually 1,300 feet on each side along the highway.

Commissioners said they were not given an advance copy of the document. Consensus was from all three county leaders that they expected to read about the suggested restrictions and be provided the opportunity to develop questions prior to adoption. The matter was tabled to the June 1 meeting.

Regional planning

A contract with the Kankakee Iroquois Regional Planning Commission was endorsed as recommended by the county economic development corporation director Daryl Smith. Smith said this was the first of other planning commissions commissioners will be requested to join in the future. He said the cost to join is roughly $8,000 per year. Commissioners determined there is an exit strategy to leave the contractual obligation if necessary.

"We'd better get on board now," Clawson remarked.

Roofing/tuck pointing

Although commissioners awarded the courthouse roofing bid to Skyline Sheet Metal Inc. on May 4, it was learned the business did not comply with an insurance requirement. The bid was discredited and then awarded to Slate Tile for $81,500.

Tuck point bid awardee Atlas Construction requested additions to their scope of work. Construction manager Mark Mattox said the project costs the county approximately $90,000 less than expected and the additional work will cost roughly $50,000.

Commissioners took the matter under advisement until meeting later in the day with the county council. At the later meeting it was decided to spend an additional $42,523 to cut and calk perimeter windows and doors, clean the entire building, paint the clock face and cut and calk the monument.

EDC explained

In response to a criticism the county economic development corporation used taxpayer money but did not give adequate activity information, commissioners attorney Barry Emerson explained the corporation carries the name of Carroll County but it is not considered part of the county government. He said it is a vendor the county helps to fund. He likened the relationship of the county to the organization to a county employee who receives a pay check, which is funded with tax dollars, but when it is given to the employee for work performed, it becomes the property of the employee.

Other business

County park board president Bob Burton presented park rules and policies for approval. Commissioners took them under advisement for review.

Public Nuisance Fund Ordinance 2009-06, to establish a fund for fines against property owners was adopted. The money will be used to address nuisance property issues. It will be presented to the council for approval at the June meeting.

Commissioner's president Loren Hylton was re-appointed to a Workforce Development committee as a Local Elected Official and a Regional Elected Official for the county.

The 2008 (correct year) Homeland Security Grant Program sub-grant agreement was approved. Grant money is used to partially fund the salary of the county emergency management agency director.

Delphi United Methodist Church will have a sign on the courthouse lawn June 24-28 to advertise a community block party.

Heritage Transportation Festival will use the Gazebo June 20.

Delphi High School Class of 1959 will walk through the courthouse rotunda Sept. 12. Insurance requirement was waived.

Carroll County Board of Health will use the courthouse lounge June 10 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The next meeting will be June 1 at 9 a.m.