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Grant County commissioners approve $747,986 in community corrections grants and several infrastructure and facility actions
Summary
On June 20 the Grant County Commissioners approved two community corrections grants totaling $747,986 and adopted a series of routine infrastructure and facilities actions — including an unofficial detour, a Fairmount structure-to-bridge inventory transfer, an $8,000 courthouse gazebo purchase, emergency boiler replacement requests and approval to move dirt to an FOP range with fuel reimbursement.
The Grant County Commissioners on Monday approved two state-funded community corrections grants totaling $747,986 and took several infrastructure and facilities actions, including approving an unofficial detour for a state bridge repair, adding the Fairmount structure to county bridge inventory once rebuilt, and authorizing county equipment to help the Fraternal Order of Police move dirt for a firing-range renovation.
Chris, the county’s community corrections representative, told the commission the awards include a general community corrections grant of $567,170 and a reentry/court recidivism reduction grant of $180,016, for a combined total of $747,986. “We have received substantial cuts,” Chris said, warning the reduction reflects allocations across Indiana and asking the county to approve the budget submission so services can continue. Commissioners moved to accept both grants and the motion carried.
Commissioners also approved Highway Superintendent White’s request to record an unofficial detour route (600 South/100 West to US 35) while a nearby State Road 35 bridge is repaired next spring; the board noted the county will document inventory and seek reimbursements from the state once work is completed.
White recommended that the Fairmount structure, currently classified as a small structure and closed to traffic, be rebuilt as a full bridge and added to the county’s inventory. He estimated replacement costs “anywhere from $800,000 to $1,000,000.” The commission moved to add the Fairmount structure to county bridge inventory once it is reconstructed, and the motion carried.
Max Fisher, president of the county’s Fraternal Order of Police lodge, asked the commission to lend tri-axle dump trucks and other county equipment to move dirt from a VA project to the FOP’s firing-range property; the FOP offered to reimburse fuel costs. Commissioners approved allowing Mr. White to assign equipment for the work with fuel reimbursement.
On courthouse improvements, the board approved purchasing a vinyl gazebo for the courthouse lawn from Riverview Portable Buildings for $8,000 to replace a deteriorated structure. The commission also approved a request to pursue additional appropriations at the council level to replace two end-of-life boilers at the courthouse (one reported to be leaking) and to address related HVAC/software issues, declaring the boiler replacements an emergency to expedite funding requests.
Other routine procedural actions taken included receiving departmental Form 144 salary-request submissions for budget review, approving executive-session minutes with one abstention, and directing staff to obtain quotes to repair ADA-noncompliant sidewalks near the sheriff’s department and seek additional appropriations if needed.
Votes at a glance - Community corrections grants (total $747,986): motion to approve carried (moved in meeting text by “commissioner Pulling,” seconded by “commissioner Stewart” in motion wording). - Unofficial detour for US 35 repairs: approved (motion credited to Commissioner Stewart; second credited to Commissioner Poling in motion text). - Fairmount structure to county bridge inventory after reconstruction: approved (motion credited to Commissioner Stewart; second credited to Commissioner Poling). - FOP equipment to move dirt (fuel reimbursed by FOP): approved (motion credited to Commissioner Stewart; second credited to Commissioner Polley/Poling in motion text). - Gazebo purchase from Riverview Portable Buildings, $8,000: approved (motion credited to Commissioner Poling). - Additional appropriations / emergency boiler replacement request: approved (motion credited to Commissioner Polini; second credited to Commissioner Stewart). - Appointment to Grant County Economic Growth Council representative (motion carried; transcript contains inconsistent appointee name in different lines — see provenance and clarifying details).
What this means The approved grants fund community corrections and reentry services countywide at a time when state allocations have decreased, according to the presenter. The infrastructure approvals advance routine maintenance and planning (bridge projects and detours) and authorize replacing aging courthouse systems and a gazebo that county staff described as unsafe or deteriorating. The motion to assist the FOP is limited to equipment use with fuel reimbursement; no direct cash appropriation was made.
Next steps Officials said FEMA representatives may arrive soon to continue storm damage assessments (see separate report). The county will submit the grant budgets to the state, procure the approved gazebo, and bring requests for additional appropriations (boilers, sidewalk repairs, courthouse exterior work) to the county council for final funding.
