Commissioners say mapping mismatch, state cuts reduced CCMG funds; jail project tests ongoing

County staff told commissioners the county lost a significant share of CCMG (Local Road & Bridge funding) because the state cut the program and because county mapping did not match state mapping. Sheila (county staff) said the state reported approximately $599,000 in cuts that needed to be removed from highway accounts; the board authorized transfers and adjustments to bring county bookkeeping into compliance.

Chair (speaker 1) said state officials offered to come to Owen County to help align county maps with the state’s so future CCMG allocations won’t be missed. “The state is going to come up here and give us that leadership and direction so we know we’re on the same page,” the chair said in the meeting.

Separately, commissioners were updated on the county jail project: contractors performed seismic and quarry testing and returned strength results; the board is waiting on follow-up reports from the general contractor and builder before advancing the project. Chair said once the reports are received the county will move forward with clearer cost and design implications.

Commissioners instructed staff to continue coordinating with state mapping personnel and to report back with exact transfer amounts and mapping fixes. No change to the jail project timetable was adopted; the board awaits the contractor’s technical reports.