County approves health department MOUs with schools and issues letters of support for community amenity projects

Commissioners approved five memorandums of understanding presented by the county health department and authorized county staff to provide letters of support for several Community Amenities Program (CAP) projects.

Health Department representative Bob asked the commissioners to approve five MOUs between the Health First kiosk program and local partners, including two schools and several civic groups. Bob read the parties and contract numbers during the meeting; commissioners moved, seconded and approved all five MOUs at once.

Separately, the Parks Board requested the commissioners provisionally support CAP letters of intent for two proposed projects — a Syracuse/Wawasee-area project (to mirror an existing letter of intent already in process) and a potential renovation of the Chinworth Bridge pending scope and a possible private donation. The board said the letter-of-intent step is required to determine whether the projects fit CAP’s structure before preparing full grant applications. Commissioners approved the Parks Board’s request.

Community coordinator Amy Rowe later asked for county letters of support for two additional CAP applicants: an Atwood community park project sponsored by a local association and a 3D archery trail at Tri County Fish & Wildlife. Rowe and commissioners discussed that the letters simply indicate county awareness and support for applicants in unincorporated areas and do not commit funding. Commissioners approved providing the letters.

On a separate personnel item, commissioners appointed Mike Settles to serve the remainder of Christy Mayer’s term on the Peterborough board after staff said Mayer could no longer serve; the appointment was approved by voice vote with appreciation expressed for Mayer’s service.