Funding proposals from four entities were heard by Carroll County Commissioners at a special Tuesday morning meeting. The meeting was designed to initiate the process of appropriating economic development income tax (EDIT) funds for 2009.

Carroll County Economic Development Corporation, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Comprehensive Land Use Plan Steering Committee for the updated zoning plan, and the county ambulance service presented requests for consideration from the estimated $347,881.08 tax revenues.

EDC director Daryl Smith requested $151,000 for salaries and operation expenses, projects, consultants and legal representation, advertising, grant matches and site acquisition and development. He further requested $10,000 be carried over from 2008 for additional site options. Smith's report indicated the total EDC budget for 2009 is $215,000, which includes contributions from surrounding communities such as Camden, Delphi, etc.

"The percentage (between 2008 and 2009 EDC requests) is the same, but the dollar amount is more because the total (commissioners EDIT) budget is more," he explained.

Smith said the EDC request was based on a 12-point plan developed in 2004 by Carroll County at the Crossroads.

Representing the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, Dick Bradshaw said there are 60 Delphi-member businesses and individuals in the organization (171 county-wide), however it is not yet to an independent level of funding.

"The county has been generous in its support of the chamber, including funding it," he said.

Bradshaw said a major focus for the group is the establishment of a county portal Web site. Chamber member and Delphi resident Bonnie Maxwell is performing the task.

Maxwell said the chamber is "dangerously close to being able to unveil the beginning" of the site. She said the goal is for it to be usable by tourist season. It will feature recreation activities and list parks and historic sites. Other components will be a list of county organizations and social service agencies and comprehensive information about county government and services.

Maxwell explained that surrounding counties make land parcel data available online which is beneficial to realtors. She said those needing information about properties in Carroll County must visit the courthouse for the information.

"Carroll County must be at least on par with the counties around us," she said.

Carroll County Emergency Medical Services (ambulance) Director Mike Durr requested $280,000 to construct a building in Camden. It would house an ambulance and provide sleeping quarters for medical personnel on 24-hour shifts. The Camden location was chosen because it is in the middle of the county.

Durr noted reports from those who said they would not move to Carroll County because of the perceived lack of the service and longer response times for medical runs. He said housing an ambulance site in Camden could be considered economic development.

Commissioners will hear additional requests at future meetings before finalizing a 2009 EDIT plan in July.