and DAVE SCHULTZ
After months of legal review and revision, both the Wells County Commissioners and the Bluffton Common Council have signed a five-year interlocal agreement supporting the Poka-Bache Trails.
After the three county commissioners – Mike Vanover, Jeff Stringer, and Blake Gerber — made their decision, they also agreed to appoint Mike Lautzenheiser, executive director of the Wells County Area Plan Commission, to represent the county on the task force. Lautzenheiser has also served as the vice-chair of the Poka-Bache coalition.
When the Bluffton council met in the early evening, the four members present — Josh Hunt, Chandler Gerber, Rick Elwell, and Scott Mentzer — also approved the agreement unanimously.
Each governmental entity that will host the trail in the four counties that will be served by it — Steuben, DeKalb, Allen, and Wells — will place a member on the trail’s task force. Joining Lautzenheiser in that group will be Janella Stronczek, the only Bluffton council member who was not present for Tuesday evening’s meeting.
Ossian has yet to formally ratify the interlocal agreement. When that happens, the town can appoint a representative to the task force.
Lautzenheiser said the task force plans to prepare a budget for 2024, which they’ll present to the participating units of government during the regular budget submission period. The coalition will also pursue grant funding for its projects.
The interlocal agreement does not require financial participation. The county will review its participation following the review of the proposed budget.
The Poka-Bache trail will be 81 miles long, making it the longest in Indiana.
In a related matter, Lautzenheiser requested $4,200 from the county to prepare for project bidding on the kayak launch spot in Vera Cruz. This request was approved unanimously by the commissioners.
holly@news-banner.com
daves@news-banner.com
