Commission reallocates $180,000 for bridge work, approves bridge design and several LPA vouchers

The Noble County Commissioners voted to reallocate $180,000 into the road fund to cover bridge work that had not been encumbered in the prior fiscal year, a move described by staff as restoring funds previously budgeted but not tied to invoices in 2025. Speaker 1 moved the reallocation and Speaker 4 seconded; the motion passed.

Staff also presented municipal-local-public-affairs (LPA) items: approval of an LPA consulting contract with Butler Fairman for Bridal Road intersection construction engineering (not-to-exceed $198,000) and a $71,006.75 design contract with SilverCon (Civilcon) for a small bridge replacement (24-foot span) on County Road 75 East (labeled Bridge 4 in materials). Speaker 1 moved approval of the bridge design contract; Speaker 4 seconded and the motion carried.

The board cleared several smaller LPA vouchers (including a PE voucher for Bridge 59, $2,342) and discussed the community-crossings program and the possible benefits of Senate Bill 179 to free additional state funding for county projects. Staff noted the county expects future calls for projects and may reapply for large grants in the next cycle.

Why it matters: The reallocation and contract approvals keep bridge projects on schedule, accelerate some design work and preserve grant eligibility for future calls.

What’s next: Staff will close out Bridge 33 final invoices and retainage, begin design work on Bridge 4 as contracted, and continue preparing applications for community-crossings and federal-aid cycles.

Representative quote (from the meeting): "We put that back in the funds so that I went and used it for Bridge 33," said Speaker 1 when moving the reallocation.