County commissioners talk ARPA projects
May 24, 2022 at 9:22 p.m.
Franklin County Economic Development commissioner president John Palmer presented potential projects to make use of the county’s $3.4 million American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Franklin County Commissioners at their May 17 meeting.
Palmer noted the last time he offered an update to commissioners, he was asked about the top four projects to make use of ARPA funds. He was unable to narrow it down at that point, but returned with a prioritized list.
Upgrades to the Franklin County Government Center have been identified as a primary concern with roof repairs and a revised handicap accessible entrance. The building’s roof has sustained vulture damage, resulting in interior water damage at various points over the past several years, most recently this past February.
Concerns over the ability to secure metal roofing materials and schedule a contractor to perform the repairs within the current year have pushed the commissioners to declare the roof damage an emergency situation, putting the building’s employees at risk of respiratory illness and potentially saving taxpayers money that could result from delaying repair into 2023. In addition to the existing damage of the roof, commissioners decided to install new trusses to remove a flat area in the roof, install roof vents and install anchor points, which will provide rooftop workers a place to connect safety harnesses. The roof repair came with a $425,000 quote. The additional trusses add $22,000, the vents and anchor points will cost an additional $22,350, totaling $469,350. Commissioners had previously approved the roof repair and trusses; commissioner Tom Linkel made a motion to approve the vents and anchor points, which his peers voted to approve.
Commissioners have already approved a contract with DLZ Engineering to improve handicap access to the Government Center. The upgrade will provide parking in front of the building, adjacent to the handicap entrance, as well as much needed lighting upgrades at the entrance.
Palmer moved on to other ARPA projects on the fast track. The county has committed to offering a contribution to Franklin County EMS toward the purchase of a new ambulance. The county’ IT consultant, “Ramsey,”has suggested an upgrade to the e-mail system utilized by county officials and employees which would offer significant upgrades to the county’s cybersecurity at a cost of $20,000.
Palmer moved on to projects under discussion. Franklin County 4-H is interested in a new exhibition hall at the county fairgrounds. Under the proposal, the three existing halls would be replaced by a single new exhibition hall. Such a project could be supported by other funding opportunities in addition to ARPA. Linkel voiced his support, noting it could be equipped with an emergency generator and serve as a county storm shelter, as well as hosting 4-H events and other rental opportunities.
There has also been talk of a new animal shelter to replace the existing facility at the county transfer station. Palmer reported he has scheduled a visit to Rushville’s animal shelter, which was updated recently. Linkel noted the importance of finding a solution to handle hair disposal to keep it out of the septic system and the importance to improve the air quality for the animals and workers at the facility.
Linkel asked about the Brookville Fire Department’s ladder truck, which had been mentioned in previous meetings. Palmer replied a meeting is planned to bring together all county fire departments to discuss needs throughout the county; the ladder truck will be discussed at that time. A new ladder truck comes with an estimated $800,000 price tag. Brookville Fire Department has some funds set aside, as well as the value of the department’s current ladder truck; the remainder of the funding has yet to be determined.
“It worries me if the community invests in a new ladder truck. We talked a lot about our bridges in the county, we’ve got 31 bridges in the county [limited to] 16 tons or less. So we’ve got 31 bridges that a new ladder truck couldn’t cross, and two of them are leaving Brookville on St. Marys Road, they could not go west out of town on St. Mary’s Road,”stated Linkel. “When the whole talk comes in about replacing low-water-crossings, there’ a big picture on the bridges that needs to be looked at.”
Palmer agreed with the importance of bridge investment in the county and suggested the potential for additional signage for low-water-crossings to warn motorists of potential danger and providing turnarounds at those crossings to allow drivers to turn back and seek another route.
“If you’re talking about wanting to save lives with this ARPA money, building one little water crossing is not the answer, I hate to say it, but its not. Putting money into our EMS, our fire departments, in the big picture of the community, that’s what’s going to save lives,”said Linkel.
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Franklin County Economic Development commissioner president John Palmer presented potential projects to make use of the county’s $3.4 million American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds to Franklin County Commissioners at their May 17 meeting.
Palmer noted the last time he offered an update to commissioners, he was asked about the top four projects to make use of ARPA funds. He was unable to narrow it down at that point, but returned with a prioritized list.
Upgrades to the Franklin County Government Center have been identified as a primary concern with roof repairs and a revised handicap accessible entrance. The building’s roof has sustained vulture damage, resulting in interior water damage at various points over the past several years, most recently this past February.
Concerns over the ability to secure metal roofing materials and schedule a contractor to perform the repairs within the current year have pushed the commissioners to declare the roof damage an emergency situation, putting the building’s employees at risk of respiratory illness and potentially saving taxpayers money that could result from delaying repair into 2023. In addition to the existing damage of the roof, commissioners decided to install new trusses to remove a flat area in the roof, install roof vents and install anchor points, which will provide rooftop workers a place to connect safety harnesses. The roof repair came with a $425,000 quote. The additional trusses add $22,000, the vents and anchor points will cost an additional $22,350, totaling $469,350. Commissioners had previously approved the roof repair and trusses; commissioner Tom Linkel made a motion to approve the vents and anchor points, which his peers voted to approve.
Commissioners have already approved a contract with DLZ Engineering to improve handicap access to the Government Center. The upgrade will provide parking in front of the building, adjacent to the handicap entrance, as well as much needed lighting upgrades at the entrance.
Palmer moved on to other ARPA projects on the fast track. The county has committed to offering a contribution to Franklin County EMS toward the purchase of a new ambulance. The county’ IT consultant, “Ramsey,”has suggested an upgrade to the e-mail system utilized by county officials and employees which would offer significant upgrades to the county’s cybersecurity at a cost of $20,000.
Palmer moved on to projects under discussion. Franklin County 4-H is interested in a new exhibition hall at the county fairgrounds. Under the proposal, the three existing halls would be replaced by a single new exhibition hall. Such a project could be supported by other funding opportunities in addition to ARPA. Linkel voiced his support, noting it could be equipped with an emergency generator and serve as a county storm shelter, as well as hosting 4-H events and other rental opportunities.
There has also been talk of a new animal shelter to replace the existing facility at the county transfer station. Palmer reported he has scheduled a visit to Rushville’s animal shelter, which was updated recently. Linkel noted the importance of finding a solution to handle hair disposal to keep it out of the septic system and the importance to improve the air quality for the animals and workers at the facility.
Linkel asked about the Brookville Fire Department’s ladder truck, which had been mentioned in previous meetings. Palmer replied a meeting is planned to bring together all county fire departments to discuss needs throughout the county; the ladder truck will be discussed at that time. A new ladder truck comes with an estimated $800,000 price tag. Brookville Fire Department has some funds set aside, as well as the value of the department’s current ladder truck; the remainder of the funding has yet to be determined.
“It worries me if the community invests in a new ladder truck. We talked a lot about our bridges in the county, we’ve got 31 bridges in the county [limited to] 16 tons or less. So we’ve got 31 bridges that a new ladder truck couldn’t cross, and two of them are leaving Brookville on St. Marys Road, they could not go west out of town on St. Mary’s Road,”stated Linkel. “When the whole talk comes in about replacing low-water-crossings, there’ a big picture on the bridges that needs to be looked at.”
Palmer agreed with the importance of bridge investment in the county and suggested the potential for additional signage for low-water-crossings to warn motorists of potential danger and providing turnarounds at those crossings to allow drivers to turn back and seek another route.
“If you’re talking about wanting to save lives with this ARPA money, building one little water crossing is not the answer, I hate to say it, but its not. Putting money into our EMS, our fire departments, in the big picture of the community, that’s what’s going to save lives,”said Linkel.