[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6355112,"mediaKeyId","2219252-5386c5391f6dc7d6c7a41ff69bb41733","parentId",2219252,"title","Monroe County commissioners approve letters of support for three BEAD applicants, vote 3-0","audioSeconds",251,"startMs",507990,"endMs",759009,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219252-5386c5391f6dc7d6c7a41ff69bb41733&start=507&end=759","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219252-5386c5391f6dc7d6c7a41ff69bb41733/thumbnail_507990.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6355112/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-commissioners-approve-letters-of-support-for-three-BEAD-applicants-vote-3-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355112-a928e9ee17765a2748e921773427e6f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775196626&Signature=Up1v~pk8BNLAIt2VaMy4BsgyBaCZ3yQ1VmC-NuIjwReo50gkcA5tSWk7b0Msiq4b5KmuNVkzc5v0~QLii9jn1pD88UuGXXwOjcFS2FKvHKFFMm0X7VDO24rskfQ3XcxxjFtCbNy0LBYqXuAHiVhnVD7m7-dnUcjBhA-vDf74N83ooRY1u~z4sYsni95aL3WTbWXDwtpAw5CzOag3rDF7LNlyTstOnFIuuiEV6fUh7gNFeXahw8pC-TcHaqyvV5712tR0QF1P4HaV2SqQQCKxfai3XO25Vmg7Uj5eXDtI6CbdyzQcNfCb0H1BYBtdpVrFTJuhCZnQxH5VJeRuf9VoCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe County IN","date","2025-01-31T15:41:10Z","article","Monroe County commissioners voted 3-0 to authorize a commissioner to sign letters of support for three internet service providers applying for state BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment) funding to serve unserved parts of the county.

The motion to allow one commissioner to sign letters of support for the three entities passed by voice vote after a motion and second; the meeting record shows the motion carried \"3-0.\" The staff discussion said letters of support are worth 5% of a provider's bid package and can aid consideration for award by the state.

County presenters said the BEAD challenge process had identified both unserved and underserved areas. Providers submitting proposals include Mainstream Fiber, Comcast and AT&T. The county is focused on western and southwestern areas, with Indian Creek Township specifically named, as well as portions near the lake and the county's eastern side. Staff said provider timelines vary, with many estimating 18 months to two years to complete construction on awarded areas, while the state's BEAD program may roll out construction in phases over three to four years.

Commissioner (unnamed) made the motion to allow the signing of support letters; a second was recorded, and commissioners voted \"Aye.\" \"Aye. Motion carries, 3 0,\" the record shows. County staff also noted the program is funded with federal dollars passed to the state; staff quoted a federal-to-state total of $868,000,000 that the state will distribute across projects.

The action does not itself award funds or commit county money; it authorizes a commissioner to sign letters that private providers include in state grant responses. County staff said they had met with the three providers to review maps and proposals prior to the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe County Commissioners Work Session, January 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners voted unanimously to let a commissioner sign letters of support for three internet providers applying to the state's BEAD challenge; letters account for 5% of bid scoring and target unserved areas in western and eastern parts of the county, including Indian Creek Township.","taxTitle","Monroe County, Indiana","taxId",3534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6355116,"Monroe County commissioners review ordinance to clarify expedited payment of claims",323,22325,346190,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2219252-5386c5391f6dc7d6c7a41ff69bb41733&start=22&end=346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2219252-5386c5391f6dc7d6c7a41ff69bb41733/thumbnail_22325.jpg","/articles/6355116/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-commissioners-review-ordinance-to-clarify-expedited-payment-of-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6355116-56c711eba7b44c660d7492af3695d49d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775196626&Signature=opgdIh-3FwDYFXwOLhW7iW4rk-~mrqbj9rQ0QBW~h0pqMl9Uh-K3PoQX0mzXe6pcjbBz6rCCv2nSbSG1anHC7Dn1vvcWIdlerz4TtcBJgxwBiWb36eXUlJtdgP1zY8RAqPSGtUAr2KPn~GN8IAGSMct-G7l6QPRAOkw1xkBmyQfee68xezb-vPogt4MHSsYnrUdSavv~3j8BfjKnIrCWNMNObgmLuNh3KEFhluQOzOo4UWy-5iv2D6Y1KDDhhFHLdE2AfxOMLP3Wq4BjtU120-Z8We0FasswYYBtLNmivwqdG3wgiu1W64Qtu7zZCHrYkQxthLIGvQEOH8MX7zGswQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County commissioners discussed an ordinance (2025-6) to amend Chapter 267 of the county code so the auditor may make expedited payments on specified claims before the board meets for final approval.

County staff said the amendment would list categories of claims the auditor can pay in advance to avoid harm or risk, clarify that \"emergency\" means a situation that could not reasonably be foreseen and that threatens public health, welfare or safety, and add utility payments and certain vehicle and large-equipment purchases to the advance-pay list when the underlying purchase was approved at a public meeting.

The change aims to reduce operational delays and unintended consequences that county staff described during the work session. County staff said the auditor's office had been receiving a large number of emergency claims that did not match the code, and that the local code contained a requirement for a commissioner to sign emergency claims that has resulted in practical delays. \"Expedited payment of claims essentially means claims that would be paid before it comes to a commissioner meeting for approval,\" a staff member said. Commissioner (unnamed) said the change would reduce the need for commissioners to stop and sign emergency claims via DocuSign: \"This will eliminate that piece.\"

Specific additions discussed include: utility payments and utility connection charges; a definition of \"emergency\" limited to unforeseeable threats to public health, welfare or safety; and purchases of vehicles, large equipment and machinery when the order was previously approved by the commissioners at a public meeting. Staff also proposed a new section directing officials to use the expedited process only when failing to do so would create harm or risk; otherwise the regular claims process should apply.

Commissioners noted a practical example: sheriff's vehicles that were ordered and delivered but could not receive title or current plates until payment was completed, producing temporary plate expirations. The staff member said the revised language would allow payment in those situations when the vehicle purchase had already been approved publicly. The commissioners did not vote on the ordinance during the work session; staff said the draft would be put on the next meeting agenda for formal consideration.

Background: participants said the county last amended the relevant code in the mid-2000s and that the proposed changes are intended to align county practice with statutory guidance and reduce administrative friction. No formal vote or ordinance adoption occurred at the work session.","County staff presented a draft amendment to Chapter 267 to let the auditor pay specified claims before commission approval, tighten the definition of \"emergency,\" add certain vehicle and utility payments, and direct that expedited payments be used only to avoid harm; no formal vote was taken and the item will be placed on next week's agenda.","actionData","errors"]

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Monroe County commissioners approve letters of support for three BEAD applicants, vote 3-0

Monroe County commissioners review ordinance to clarify expedited payment of claims