$176,076 awarded

Cindy DiFazio, Staff Writer

At the regular meeting of the Ripley County Commissioners, Monday, April 10, it was announced that the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program OOR (Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation) awarded $176,076 to Ripley County.

The funds are to be used for the rehabilitation of homes for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and families with children under the age of six who do not have the resources to pay for needed repairs.

In a memo to Ripley County Auditor Mary Ann McCoy, Lt. Governor Becky Skillman was quoted as saying, “It is important that we continue to find ways to serve every Hoosier. IHCDA is committed to finding flexible funding for special needs populations.” Skillman, who serves as chair of IHCDA’s Board of Directors went on to say, “This year funding for owner-occupied rehabilitation increased from $2.5 million to $7 million. This increase marks our commitment to create habitable homes for all Hoosiers, no matter their circumstance. By doing this we create strong and stable communities.”

Bids for the county’s 1998 Gradall were opened. A bid from Finkbinder American State Equipment in Illinois for $50,100 was accepted. Lawrence Nickell made the motion to accept the bid. Chuck Folz seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Construction on Bridge 8 on Cave Hill Road was another topic of discussion. Neil Comer, attorney, reported there had been some delays in the project start-up due to two unreleased titles on needed land. Comer said that deeds previously signed by the commissioners had been sent to the state in January of this year, but due to changes at the state level they were not accepted as submitted. All three commissioners signed the new deeds at the April 10 meeting to be resubmitted to the state.