Franklin County Economic Development Commission President John Palmer gave an update to Franklin County Commissioners about the county’s American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding at its May 4 meeting.

Palmer compiled the funding requests submitted for ARPA funding to get an idea of how far the county’s $3.4 million grant will go. Projects currently under discussion include handicap accessibility improvements and roof repairs to the government center, Franklin County EMS ambulance match, new animal shelter and requests from volunteer fire departments. All together, these requests represent $1.6 million. In order to stretch the ARPA funds as far as possible, Palmer suggested seeking matching funds to many of the requests. 

Commissioner Tom Linkel asked Palmer if he has a form to be filled out for each project. Palmer replied applicants will need to fill out a form and supply supporting documentation demonstrating the need for the funding request. He explained once a project is submitted, it will be reviewed by commissioners, county council, the county auditor and legal counsel. 

Linkel asked if there are any current plan for ARPA funding for the county park. Palmer replied there are no current ARPA plans for the park. Efforts are currently underway to seek funding through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The state grants may require a local match, which could potentially be paid through the ARPA funds.

Linkel brought up concerns over plans to repair the roof on the government center. The roof has been subject to vulture damage over the years, resulting in water intrusion in the second floor meeting room. Commissioners sought quotes to repair the roof; only one contractor was willing to quote the job. That contractor recently warned commissioners they must order materials for the job soon to secure availability this year.

Under normal circumstances, bids from multiple vendors must be secured to spend taxpayer funds in excess of $150,000; however, county legal counsel Grant Reeves suggested the potential to classify the repair as an emergency, allowing the county to bypass the bid process, which he researched while commissioners continued the meeting. 

Later in the meeting Reeves reported on the emergency provision. He suggested the health and safety hazards presented to the employees in the government center as a result of potential mold and mildew, as well as the cost savings over putting off the repair until next year, constitute an emergency. Reeves noted the quote presented is a result of a competitive process since six commissioners solicited bids from six contractors, even though only one contractor replied with a quote. Commissioners agreed to proceed with the roof replacement.

Also discussed:
-Commissioners held a Zoom meeting with officials from Oldenburg and HWC Engineering concerning an inter-local agreement for the bridge replacement on Water Street, which is being replaced as a federal aid project. While Oldenburg was originally planned to be the lead in the project, commissioners suggested the county take the lead due to it’S higher monetary investment. The agreement was made that the county take the lead on the bridge and Oldenburg take the lead on the street resurfacing leading up to the bridge.

Linkel stated the importance of ensuring the new bridge maintains Oldenburg’s unique character. Jake Isenburg of HWC replied this type of the federal aid project requires special care to preserve or recreate the historical nature of the structure. 

-Spectrum Communications and Southeastern Indiana REMC are moving along with high-speed internet expansion projects in the county. County surveyor Rob Seig is working to obtain project maps from the various internet providers planning expansions in the county in order to compile a county-wide master map.

-Franklin County Public Transportation was expecting three new vehicles; that allotment has been cut to one due to ongoing supply chain constraints. However, state grant applications are now open for light-duty transport vans. Potential repairs at the senior center are being reviewed.

-Shelly Lunsford of the Franklin County Community Foundation thanked commissioners for their assistance with Earth Day cleanup efforts. The foundation is working on a grant-funded program highlighting historical sites in Brookville. Lunsford asked for permission to install markers at the county courthouse and sheriff’s office. Commissioners agreed to permit the markers. 

-Palmer brought concerns from the county’s information technology contractor, Ramsey, to upgrade the county’s email system to bring it up to current security standards. The cost to implement the system is estimated at $20,000 with a $10,000 annual maintenance. Ramsey will bring more information to commissioners.

-County highway engineer Larry Smith reported the county was awarded $607,845 as part of the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossings Matching Grant program. The grant will fund new pavement on Five Points and Whitcomb roads.

-Commissioners approved a contract to move ahead with work on bridge 42 with the hope of construction this fall. The project has an engineer’ estimate of $657,000, but actual costs will not be known until the bid process later this year.

-Linkel acknowledged his loss in the May 3 primary election, noting his appreciation with everyone he has worked with through his position as county commissioner. He asked that one of the other commissioners take over the county highway department, commissioner Tom Wilson nominated commissioner Gerald Wendel, who accepted.