Council approves transfers and grant matches including $100,000 for bridge design and $853,248 community‑crossing match

The council approved an array of transfers and appropriations covering roads, IT, county staffing and grant matches.

Carrie from County Highway and County Engineer Dean Thomas outlined a $100,000 transfer to finance design work for Bridge 20 (Walnut Street north of County Road 1050 North). Carrie said the design contract with Loch Mueller totals about $549,000 and this transfer represents the county’s 20% match on a federally funded project estimated at roughly $8 million.

Ryan Staltz, IT supervisor, explained a transfer to create two part‑time IT intern positions through a partnership with IvyTech to build a candidate pool and cover tier‑one work. Heidi Knuckles (EMA, representing GIS) described an education incentive pay transfer for a new GIS hire who holds a master’s degree.

Commissioner Brand asked the council to appropriate two insurance recovery checks from Travelers totaling about $47,200 so the money can be used to replace county vehicles; the council approved that appropriation and discussed steps to prevent future mis‑deposits.

The council also approved a large Community Crossing match appropriation: County representatives requested $853,248 to match grant funds for about nine miles of pavement work across several county roads, including road widening and culvert work. Baker Tilly‑presented CCMG match was recorded and approved alongside the county’s match.

Votes at a glance: the bridge design transfer, IT intern funding, GIS incentive, plat‑room and auditor part‑time transfers, the $853,248 community‑crossing match and the $47,200 insurance recovery appropriation were all approved by roll call during the meeting.

Council members asked for follow‑up information in several areas — including the county’s TIF cash positions and a plan to avoid future mis‑deposits — and asked departments to provide payroll and benefit details when positions are approved.