Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Ron May of AECON, an engineering firm in Bloomington, presented the 2006 bridge inspection report to the Ripley County Commissioners at their regular meeting held on Monday, May 19.

According to May, the bridges are “getting better,” referring to the repairs that have been completed. The request by May for the commissioners to sign the report, indicating they received it, was unanimously approved. May noted that the report was intensive, and after reviewing it, any questions the commissioners had could be addressed at a later meeting. He reminded the commissioners that bridge re-inspection is underway, and the report should be completed in a few months.

Ripley County Economic Development Director Gary Norman presented the quarterly report to the commissioners. According to Norman, the website has been updated, with the ability to track companies who have viewed the website. Norman then follows up via email with information about Ripley County business development opportunities. The website can be accessed at www.ripleycountyedc.com. Norman also gave information on current projects that RCEDC is working on. Details were not disclosed on these projects, but he did request an executive meeting with the commissioners to discuss them.

Norman also introduced Ryan Brancamp from Napoleon, who will be working as an intern at RCEDC. Brancamp is working on his masters degree from Indiana University, and will be focusing on analyzing the specific needs of the Honda plant, and how Ripley County can best benefit by filling these needs.

In other business:

• Commissioner Chuck Folz thanked Planning Director Tad Brinson for his help in the dumping situation in Dabney. According to Brinson, he has spoken to the owner, reminding him to clean up the property.

• Ginger Bradford, Ripley County Clerk, requested permission to partially reimburse the Versailles Police Department for gas expense, provided there is money left in the budget after elections in November. The VPD assisted the clerk’s department on Election Day in May. Bradford also received permission to use the services of the VPD in November.

• Johnnie Lohrum, maintenance, reported the carpet installation on the third floor of the courthouse has been completed. Repairs to the water fountain and in the pipes in the basement have also been completed.

• The commissioners unanimously agreed to accept bids for a bridge package only for the replacement of bridge #89, with the demolition and installation bids solicited after the purchase of the bridge package.

• Ripley County Treasurer, Earline Copeland, reminded the commissioners that the jail will be paid off as of May 20. Funds from a CD that had come due will be placed in the county checking account, which receives a higher interest rate than the current CD interest rate. The funds will be reinvested in a CD once interest rates are higher.

The next commissioners meeting will be held on June 2 starting at 8:00 a.m. in the commissioners room. .