A bridge too far? County Council balks, then passes $1.2 million repair plan

Members initially lacked the notion to make a motion Monday regarding a $1.2 million allocation to repair two bridges described as "dangerous" by Greene County Commissioner's Attorney Marilyn Hartman.

However, after some hesitation, the measure succeeded unanimously.

The appropriation, drawn from the $1.6 million available in the county bridge fund, would repair two troubled traverses, Bridge 274, a railroad bridge on CR 250 W; and Bridge 255 on CR 1390E.

The council's vote formally awarded a bid for the work by Vincennes construction company CLR Inc., the sole bidder.

That company's bid totalled $1,195,895 but Greene County Highway Superintendent Mike Hennette requested a full $1.2 million be appropriated.

A vote on his request stalled for nearly three minutes as council members refrained from responding to Greene County Auditor David Bailey's request for a motion.

"Is there some reason you're hesitating to approve this appropriation?" Hartman asked council members. "We have two dangerous bridges here that need to be fixed. This money is from a dedicated fund, and can't be used for anything else."

Bailey also expressed concern over the lack of action.

"I don't know what the problem is."

The bridges currently pose problems due to needed repairs and presently can impede visibility for drivers, Hartman said.

Councilman William "Butch" Brown deferred making a motion, suggesting he's made several.

"It's time for somebody else to make one," he said, laughing.

But council members also raised concerns over the cost of the bridge repairs, which deplete three-fours of the $1.6 million in the fund.

Greene County Commission President Bart Beard told the council that the fund replenishes, garnering an additional $350,000 every budget year.

Further, Hennette supported the move, noting along with Beard county bridges are prioritized in terms of needed repair.

The two bridges at issue Monday top the list.

Further, Hartman said the troubled economy has actually made this an ideal time to get the work done, as bids sought on the bridge work a few years ago suggested it would cost $800,000 to repair a single bridge.

Now, the work can be done for far less.

"You can't really see this as a big liability," she said. "This seems to be an opportune time to get these bridges worked on."

Ultimately, Councilwoman Rae Della Cravens moved for the appropriation, seconded by Councilman Jerry Frye.

Another vote which the council could have taken its time on, however, brought no hesitation: Rainy days and Mondays didn't get members down, given the prospect of $725,182.36 more in a Rainy Day Fund to spend if needed.

The council unanimously moved to transfer those funds, originally unused money from the Family and Children Fund and the Child Psychiatric Residential Treatment Fund, from the Excess Levy Fund to a Rainy Day Fund.

The transfer, newly allowed by State Law 182-09, freed up the funds, which otherwise could not have been used by the county if necessary had they remained in the Excess Levy Fund.

The state is assuming greater control and responsibility for public aid in those areas, freeing up some of the funds, according to discussion.

Per figures provided by Bailey, $651,754.22 left unused was drawn from the Family and Children Fund, while $73,428.14 was drawn from surplus money in the Child Psychiatric Residential Treatment Fund.

Bailey said moves to transfer the money could have occurred until the end of the year, under state law.

In other business:

* County Prosector Jarrod Holtsclaw successfully sought permission to add a line-item to his budget request, slated to be considered in September, which would help pay for additional work done by his staff to cover the work of Victim Advocate Nicole Cox during her maternity leave.

The funds, totalling about $1,745, would be drawn from a grant supplied by the state.

The additional work is necessary, Holtsclaw said, because state statutes require steps be taken to notify crime victims whether the victim advocate is available or not.

* Janet McBride, Hamilton Center, director of satellite operations in Southern Indiana, presented council members with statistics about services the mental health care facility provides to Greene County residents.

McBride said a sizeable portion of those served by the center qualify for reduced rates, noting that 81 percent of the county residents treated by the center fall below earning 200 percent of poverty levels. Thus, she said they qualify to pay only $10 for a visit, "even in-patient stays...There is a tremendous amount of subsidized services that we provide."

* Brianne Perigo, administrative assistant for Greene County Economic Development, informed council members about a private session slated for local officials Aug. 20 at the Greene County 4-H Fairgrounds.

The session will assist officials in determining alternative financing methods which are available to cities and towns under state law, following changes made to local revenue streams by House Enrolled Act 1001.

In the wake of that act, many local officials have predicted tighter budgets, reduced money, and tougher times meeting the fiscal needs of local government.