Commissioners to meet with INDOT about problem
Bridge project goes over budget
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Ripley County needs to come up with another $40,000 to complete the work on the Busching Covered Bridge. Mark Klasterkemper, engineer with ACON reported to the Ripley County Commissioners at their February 28 meeting. The county received a federal grant to refurbish the bridge for $440,000. The county had to add $110,000.

The problem arose because the design and bid only called for 30 percent replacement of the siding, thinking most of the siding could be used again. However, the siding made of yellow pine was not able to be used again. It is hoped the bridge could return to the reverse board and batting sidings made with poplar, which was used on the original bridge.

The Commissioners will meet on Friday with the engineers and representatives from the Indiana Department of Transportation to try to find a resolution. The bridge was last refurbished in 1992.

Sheriff Bill Davison and Deputy Sheriff Lee Mathews reported to the Ripley County Commissioners there were 118 prisoners in the jail over the weekend. Capacity is 99. This is too many and the sheriff said he is taking steps so that won't happen again.

With the jail at capacity at 99, there are 39 prisoners incarcerated through the Indiana Department of Corrections and 25 from Ohio, and Switzerland counties. The jail is making a profit of $2,490 per day on out of county prisoners.

Kelly Vollet, Technology Director, told the Commissioners there are two more free licenses available on the GIS System. The GIS System shows a digital picture on a computer.

The county currently has all the roads, streets and houses shown on the system. This is called the safety layer and is also used by Enhanced 911 who has their own system.

The offices that are currently on the county's GIS System are the Health Department, Planning and Zoning, Emergency Management, Assessor, Technology, Sheriff's Department, County Surveyor and Highway Department. The Commissioners voted to add the election office on the system and put on the precinct information. That leaves one free license left. The Commissioners will decide on that at a later date. After the ten free licenses are issued, there is a $1,000 license fee. There is an annual maintenance cost for the system of $3,000, which is paid for by Enhanced 911.

The County would like to add another layer to the GIS System, which would have parcel layering and property tax information. The cost of another layer if $200,000. The only way the county can afford it is with a grant. Kelly Vollet will look into grant possibilities.

Frank Thompson appeared before the Commissioners to inform them he is setting up an office in Versailles for U.S. Congressman Mike Sodrell. The office will cover six counties. It should open in March and will be located on Highway 421 South, next to the License Branch. A
ribbon cutting and open house will be held.

All three County Commissioners were in attendance: Robert Reiners, District 1; Chuck Folz, District 2; and Lawrence Nickell, District 3. Attorney Neil Comer was present to advise the Commissioners. Auditor Mary Ann McCoy served as secretary to the Commissioners.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 14, at 8:00 a.m. at the Commissioners Room in the Ripley County Courthouse Annex Building.