Grant County commissioners ratify routine claims, payroll and send $650,000 ARPA radio recommendation to council

The Grant County Board of Commissioners ratified preapproved claims and payroll and unanimously approved a recommendation to add $650,000 for township fire communications to the county's ARPA spending plan and forward it to the county council for appropriation.

The meeting opened with routine business. Commissioners ratified preapproval of claims dated Aug. 12, 2024, totaling $393,054.19 (general fund $57,364.56; other $275,455.88; highway $60,233.75) and approved claims presented that day totaling $438,008.73 (general $278,146.80; other $96,098.85; highway $64,562.08). They also ratified payroll number 17 (preapproved Aug. 13, 2024) with a gross amount of $639,719.79.

During discussion of ARPA allocations, a commissioner moved to "add township fire radios in the amount of $650,000, with the caveat that that is for any communication devices not already purchased, and add that to the ARPA spending plan and send it to the county council for appropriation." A second motion followed and the board approved the recommendation by voice vote; the record shows multiple "Aye" responses. The board directed that county attorneys review the proposed language to ensure ARPA-eligibility before the county council acts.

Other routine actions included approval of minutes from June 3, June 17 and July 1, 2024, and signing of annual contract disclosure and nepotism certifications required under Indiana Code 36-1-21.

The board will transmit the $650,000 communications recommendation to the county council, which must formally appropriate ARPA funds before any payments are made.