County may buy building (4/12/05)

They’ve talked for years about the possibility of acquiring additional space for employee parking near the courthouse.

Jay County Commissioners have agreed to do more than talk.

The commissioners, who have long said they would like a lot near the courthouse dedicated to parking for employees, agreed Monday to pursue the purchase of a vacant building across Walnut Street from the courthouse.

Commissioners’ president Milo Miller Jr. plans to discuss the prospective purchase Wednesday night with members of the Jay County Council. The building, located west of the alley behind the Ritz Theatre, is at 116-118 W. Walnut St.

Commissioners Faron Parr, Gary Theurer and Miller made clear their intent would be to demolish the building and create a parking lot. The building has housed several business ventures over the years, including the office of the Jay County prosecutor several years ago.

According to the Jay County auditor’s office, the building is owned by Alaska Seaboard Partners, in care of Security National Servicing, Somerset, N.J.

Also Monday, the director of the county emergency management agency told the commissioners that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has received more than $200,000 in claims by county government related to the January ice storm and flooding.

Under a federal disaster declaration, the county is eligible for 75 percent reimbursement of some storm-related expenses, meaning possible repayment of more than $150,000 to the county.

All categories except for debris removal have been closed out; debris removal is still under way and has an estimated cost of $179,138. Other category totals include $27,002 for protective measures taken; $4,077 for road systems repair; and $1,385 for building and controls, for a running total of $211,602.

That total could go up or down, depending on the cost of debris removal.

The county highway department plans to contract with one or more companies to assist in the clean-up of storm debris along county roads.

In other business Monday, the commissioners:

•Agreed to allow county employees to purchase computers from the auditor’s and recorder’s office at a cost of $50. The 11 computers, which have Pentium II processors with a speed of approximately 450 megahertz, are being replaced by newer models.

•Discussed the fact that the Indiana Department of Transportation plans to replace three small bridges or culverts on Ind. 67 between Portland and the Jay-Delaware county line this summer or next spring. The structures are located near county road 300 West, county road 400 South and county road 1150 West.

The commissioners designated local detours for the closings. The county could be eligible for reimbursement for the cost of repairs to those roads from damage resulting from the closing of Ind. 67.

•Opened annual bids for oil emulsion, asphalt and equipment rental for the county highway department. Action on the bids was tabled pending review by county highway superintendent Ken Wellman.

Koch Materials was the apparent low bidder for emulsion at $163.92 per ton, beating five other bidders. Meshberger Bros. Stone Corp. was the only bidder for asphalt, with a price of $24.70 per ton for No. 9 binder, and LICA Construction Corp. was the only bidder for rental of paving equipment.[[In-content Ad]]