Dunkirk not getting grant (12/04/06)

Because a state agency didn't get its job done, a grant application for the construction of a new fire station/EMS base near Dunkirk was turned down last week.

Ami Huffman, Jay County community developer, told Jay County Commissioners today the grant request for $500,000 for the project was denied because the state's Office of Historical Preservation and Archaeology, through the Department of Natural Resources, failed to provide the local office a letter of approval for the construction.

"But there's some good news," Huffman told Milo Miller Jr., Gary Theurer, and Faron Parr, "they told us they will let us resubmit it in January for the full $500,000."

The grant is being sought to provide a new site for Dunkirk's fire department and will also serve as a Dunkirk base for Jay Emergency Medical Service.

Huffman said there "was nothing wrong with the application," it was only turned down because of failing to receive the letter.

She told commissioners this grant application required letters of approval from eight individual agencies that may have concerns for the site where the construction is to take place. "We got them all but that one," she said, explaining she had been told the state office had moved its Indianapolis location and had fallen behind in its workload.

Huffman said that at least six other grant applications were denied because a letter from the Office of Historical Preservation and Archaeology was not included.

Commissioners approved Huffman's request to reapply for the grant in January.

Additionally today, commissioners heard Ryan Stanley, account executive with PhoeNX Technologies, Muncie, present figures in a possible contract with his firm to provide information technology for the county.

Stanley said fees for PhoeNX's services include $35 per trip. The county currently pays $65 to Beam-Longest and Neff LLC Consulting Engineers for IT assistance, $75 per hour for work on-site or $65 per hour if the problem can be solved online.

Stanley proposed a flat rate of $3,000 per month for maintenance once the system is upgraded.

The county council currently budgets $50,000 annually for GIS (Global Information System) maintenance and $60,000 for all other offices maintenance labor except in the clerk's office, auditor Freda Corwin said today. The proposal from PhoeNX is expected to save the county some money.

Commissioners told Stanley they would have an answer for him before year-end.

Also today, commissioners heard Ginger Denney, 5901 West 800 South, near Powers Station, express concern about water standing around her mobile home.

With the excessive rain last week, Denney said her drive was flooded and she was concerned she could not leave her property.

Commissioners also discussed the problem with Ralph Frazee, director of emergency management, who had also been contacted by Denney, and Jay County Surveyor Brad Daniels, who was expected to investigate the problem.[[In-content Ad]]