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Commissioners hear grants update, review veterans advisory draft and await property-owner response on Terra Road
Summary
County staff described a short grants cycle tied to the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, presented roughly $13,000 available for local prevention/intervention grants, circulated a draft Veterans Service Office advisory board ordinance for later review, and reported certified letters were sent to Terra Road/Big Ox property owners with responses requested by June 15.
County staff briefed commissioners on several administrative items during the May 21 meeting.
Grants: A staff presenter explained that the county's drug-interdiction fee line funds prevention, intervention and justice grants and that the state is shifting the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute grant cycle to a three-year calendar-year schedule. The presenter said this year's grants were on a short cycle because the state delayed approval; the county currently expects to distribute roughly $13,000 under the current cycle. The presenter asked commissioners to endorse the grants committee's recommendations; commissioners voiced support and had no questions.
Veterans Advisory Board: A staff member circulated a draft ordinance to create a seven-member Veterans Service Office Advisory Board composed of county residents who are honorably discharged veterans or who have demonstrated knowledge of veteran affairs. Commissioners asked for time to review the draft and planned to table formal action to a future meeting.
Terra Road / Big Ox enforcement: Staff reported certified and first-class letters were mailed to the property owners at Terra Road and Big Ox asking for a response by June 15. The county said the response should indicate intended abatement steps (demolition, cleanup or other actions). Staff noted area planning could not find a permit for a camper on the property, and an electric company contact warned they planned to cut temporary electric service after roughly 30 days because the temporary service did not appear to support active demolition or rebuilding, creating a fire and safety concern. Staff said if the owner does not propose adequate abatement the county may proceed under the unsafe-building process and, if necessary, seek a court order.
Why it matters: The grants schedule change affects local funding timelines for prevention and intervention programs. The veterans-advisory draft would create a local board to advise the veteran service officer, and the Terra Road/Big Ox matter could lead to enforcement under unsafe-building procedures depending on property-owner response.
Next steps: Commissioners will review the veterans-board draft at a future meeting; staff will track the owners' responses to the Terra Road/Big Ox letters and advise on next enforcement steps after the June 15 response deadline.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 514; topfinish SEG 743
