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County engineer seeks consultant to update ADA transition plan to regain grant eligibility
Summary
DuBois County highway staff recommended hiring Lochmuller Group to update the county’s ADA transition plan (estimated $35,000–$45,000) to comply with NDOT requirements and regain eligibility for Community Crossings and other federal funding; commissioners authorized negotiations and directed staff to request appropriations.
DuBois County highway staff told commissioners on Sept. 15 that the county’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) transition plan is out of date and must be updated to stay eligible for state and federal road grant programs.
County staff explained the county’s plan — originally prepared in February 2013 and updated in February 2022 — must be submitted to the Indiana Department of Transportation (NDOT) every three years. Staff said the county is past the current submission and therefore ineligible for Community Crossings matching funds until the plan is updated or a commitment letter is submitted to NDOT.
The highway engineer reported a consultant, Lochmuller Group — which prepared the 2013 baseline plan — estimated $35,000–$45,000 to complete a current, defensible ADA transition plan that the county can maintain as a living document. Staff recommended authorizing negotiation with Lochmuller and executing a short-term commitment letter to buy time for a full update so the county can remain eligible for Community Crossings, which opens a new call for projects Oct. 1.
“The plan is required to be submitted to NDOT every three years,” a highway staffer told the board. “We’re actually a little past due. So, currently, we’re not in compliance with the state, meaning we’re not eligible for Community Crossings funds.”
Commissioner Austin said Lochmuller’s prior work and existing files made it a sensible choice; board members gave consent for the highway engineer to continue negotiations and indicated staff should request additional appropriations at the next meeting to cover the consultant work if needed.
Staff indicated they will prepare a commitment letter to NDOT to demonstrate a timeline for completing the update and will return with contract terms and a formal appropriation request once Lochmuller’s price is confirmed.
