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Adams County approves $15,000 consultant agreement, hears updates on culvert and guardrail projects
Summary
County highway staff won approval for a consultant agreement for a locally funded deck-overlay bridge project, certified a covered bridge for the state comptroller, and reported delays and timelines for a culvert replacement and a federally funded guardrail project that will be paid by reimbursement grant.
Adams County commissioners approved a consulting agreement with engineering firm HWC not to exceed $15,000 to develop plans for a locally funded deck-overlay rehabilitation after a federal grant request was unsuccessful, and they signed the county’s annual covered-bridge certification for submission to the state comptroller. County highway staff also updated the board on progress and schedule changes for Culvert 134 and on a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) guardrail contract expected to be paid by reimbursement grant.
The agreement with HWC covers consulting and plan work only; it does not pay for construction. “The total from this agreement is an hourly not to exceed $15,000,” county highway staff said during the meeting. The firm’s headquarters is in Indianapolis; staff said HWC will collaborate with county staff on plans and that the final consulting cost may be less than the limit.
The consulting agreement was recommended after staff said federal funding applications for the bridge project were not successful and the county intends to proceed with local funding. Commissioners moved and seconded the contract approval and the motion carried.
The county also approved and signed the annual covered-bridge certification form for submission to the state comptroller’s office.
On culvert work, staff reported that Ish Excavating is replacing Culvert 134 on County Road 650 southwest of 200 East but that weather and complications tracing tile and legal county tile connections have delayed work about a day. The road was closed during much of the work; staff said the gravel surface has been restored so emergency vehicles can pass and crews still need to pour a concrete box/drop structure on the southwest side of the road later in the week.
Regarding guardrail work tied to HSIP federal funds, staff said they submitted a request for federal funds and plan to begin work when the new fiscal year opens. “That is a reimbursement grant,” staff said. “On that 90% of that money would be reimbursed after I prove we paid it.” The county’s current approach is to pay for the phase and file for reimbursement; staff said reimbursements typically take weeks to a month after submission.
Weights-and-measures inspector Dan Hackman presented his monthly and annual reports, which commissioners accepted. Hackman said noncompliance is rare and usually resolved after a follow-up inspection: “Very rarely. They weren’t stable,” he said when asked how often issues arise. His annual totals included about 1,002 checks with 26 rejections and eight red tags that required scale shutdowns during the year.
County staff said they will continue to seek project funding (including an option to pursue commuting/competitive grant funds) and will bring final plans and budget requests to the commissioners as projects move from design to construction.
Less urgent routine items — payroll claims, animal-control and treasurer reports, and subdivision approvals — were also recorded in the minutes during the meeting.
