Courthouse records to be moved to new location
County EMS director moves out of state
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

The basement of the Hunter Building, the county is leasing from Louise Mitchell, is being readied to hold records for the Ripley County Courthouse Offices. Ginger Bradford, county clerk, is overseeing the work. She appeared before the Ripley County Commissioners at their July 18 meeting to inform them a crew will spend three days cleaning up the area. Then shelves will be built to hold the big books for the Ripley County Treasurer's Office.

Bradford also discussed again the blacktopping of three election sites for the disabled. Those sites are in Cross Plains, Elrod and New Marion. The cost will be $1,500.

Scott Melling, Ripley County's EMS Director, informed the Commissioners that he is now living in another state. Melling reported that lightning struck the new EMS building burning up their computers jand causing some other damage. He said their insurance agent of record is now Jerry Vollmer of MainSource Insurance.

Julie Brancamp, Ripley County Fairgrounds Park Manager, asked the Commissioners about signing contracts. She also asked permission to apply for a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation for a lean-to next to Building #1 at the park. Brancamp said the cost from Burdette Builders was $2,500. The Commissioners said for Brancamp to go ahead with the grant application.

Maintenance Superintendent, Gene Bishop, asked about having the parking lot next to the Courthouse Annex blacktopped. He said it was supposed to be done several years ago. Commissioner Lawrence Nickell will look into the matter.

Charles Malinowski approached the Commissioners about collecting a reimbursement of time and administrative costs for the prosecutor and clerk's offices through Title 4-D. Also, he will prepare a countywide cost allocation plan for the treasurer's office. Malinowski estimates a return of $124,000. His fee is $650 a month.

Robert Demaree and Ruth Plant gave a presentation about benefit communications system and section 125. No decision was made. Tim McCormick of McCormick & Metsker Agency Inc. appeared before the Commissioners. They are a consultant group that will investigate health insurance companies.

Jeff French asked permission for the Versailles Historic Preservation Group to have another cruise-in on the courthouse square on Saturday, August 13, from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. He said their first one was very successful. Permission was granted.

Gene Swing of Osgood asked permission to put up a larger sign for the Ripley County Animal Shelter at Highway 421 and 150 North. He was directed to the Planning and Zoning Office.

All three commissioners were in attendance: President Robert Reiners, Chuck Folz, and Lawrence Nickell. Attorney Neil Comer was present to advise the Commissioners. Auditor Mary Ann McCoy attended to take minutes of the meeting.

The next Commissioner's meeting will be Monday, August 1, at 8:00 a.m. at the Commissioners Room of the Ripley County Courthouse Annex in Versailles.