Sheriff requests share of ARPA funds
Planning to buy four police vehicles this year, Sheriff Scott Holliday requested a portion of the remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds to help cover the cost. Holliday said there was roughly $131,000 in ARPA funds remaining.
Each police vehicle costs approximately $45,000, which is in the jail’s budget but would “take a good portion of it away,” Holliday said.
The Highway and Health departments have also made requests for the remaining funds. The commissioners said they would consider the request.
Holliday advised that Work on repairing pipes in the administrative portion of the jail began Monday. The process requires the removal of a bathroom wall to access the leaking sewer lines.
As of Monday, there were 74 inmates housed in the jail, 42 of which were pre-trial holds for the Wells County Circuit Court, 22 pre-trial Superior Court, eight from the Department of Correction and two Level 6 felons.
Holliday also recognized custodian Bob Monce, who is retiring next week. His replacement has trained alongside him for several weeks.
County considers adjustment to right-of-way requirement
As the county tries to close on several near-complete road conversion petitions, Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar said he may be able to negotiate a smaller right-of-way with landowners.
When paving graving roads, the county has required the donation of 30 ft. of right-of-way, meaning the land for the road and ditch line. Nate Rumschlag, former Wells County engineer, had set this standard to align with Indiana Department of Transportation recommendations.
The right-of-way ensures a safe, gradual decrease along the roadway and no obvious obstacles. When converting a gravel road to a paved one, it is assumed there will be higher driving speeds and a need for a larger right-of-way.
The matter has been contentious in some areas as a majority of landowners have donated their right-of-way for paving, while one “hold-out” has not. In speaking with some of these landowners, Bonar believes he could get the landowners to sign on for a 25 ft. right-of-way.
“There are several roads out there that are so flat and have hard any ditch lines that we may not need to require the entire 30 ft.,” Bonar said.
Meanwhile, Bonar advised that the department is still moving dirt, asphalt and lumber from the previous building. The staff continues to organize the new garage building, and crews are working through the final 20 punch list items.
County partners with landowners on
Jefferson Township tile replacement
The drainage board unanimously approved $7,500 toward the replacement of the Ferguson Prong 4 Drain in Jefferson Township during their meeting Monday.
Surveyor Jarrod Hahn said the landowners on the tile will split the remaining cost. The work is expected to be done this summer.
