Herman Strumpf, of Osgood, provided an update on efforts to obtain groundwater locally for future industrial and residential needs.

Strumpf reported that there is a possibility that water could be gotten quickly from Metamora. Batesville has held a public hearing regarding 70 acres named the Sawmill Project. They have not yet committed to the project and have met with some resistance.

Owen Menchhofer, of the Holton Water District has said that Holton is interested in exploring this. The advantage for Holton is that it is downhill from the water source. Commissioner Chuck Folz asserted, “You’ve got a big climb coming out of Metamora.” Strumpf agreed, explaining, “It has to be pumped up, but going into Holton is downhill.”

It could be a coalition of Batesville and Greensburg. Also, Hoosier Hills is looking into developing a well-field in Aurora. “What seems to be happening,” Strumpf explained, “is that we have our own regional groundwater system developing.”

Strumpf said that anyone interested in the water project may reach him at 812-689-4450 or 812-756-2212.

In regards to a regional airport, Strumpf reported that there has recently been a flurry of activity in Greensburg in light of an October 11 deadline for submission of a proposal to the FAA. It appears now that the city of Greensburg is going out on its own to restart its airport project.

In view of this development, it was decided that a public meeting regarding the possibility of a regional airport in Ripley County will be postponed until December.

In other business, rezoning from industrial to residential of 2.2 acres on Tanglewood and 300N was approved.

Director of technology, Kelly Vollet, requested and received approval to post county officials job descriptions on the county’s website.