Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Lisa Bradshaw, Osgood, presented photos showing damage to her property caused by drainage from a nearby field to the Ripley County Commissioners at the regular meeting held on Monday, May 3. She had purchased a mobile home in 2008 that had been placed in 2006, but had remained unoccupied.

Bradshaw believes that a broken tile is the cause of the drainage issues, which caused ponding to occur on the property. Loss of topsoil due to erosion and sinkholes from the broken tile have affected her property values and prevent her from refinancing her home loan, according to Bradshaw.

According to Commissioner President Rob Reiners, a drainage complaint will need to be filed at the county auditor’s office and a date set for the commissioners to look at the property.

Ted Spurlock, the commissioners’ representative for the Rising Sun Regional Foundation, explained the annual report. According to Spurlock, funding from the riverboats were down for 2009 with the foundation only receiving $1.7 million.

Reiners thanked Spurlock for the help received over the years. “We have been able to do things for the county that wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the Rising Sun Regional Foundation,” said Reiners.
Bids for the Bridge 210 project were opened. Three bids were received: C&HM Excavating with a bid of $130,000; Dave O’Mara bid $72,000 and Holman Excavating bid $64,620. All bids will be taken under advisement and reviewed by the county attorney. The commissioners will award the bid at the May 17 meeting.

The commissioners continue to review information regarding the employee health insurance. Representatives from Maverick Insurance and Apex Insurance answered questions presented by the commissioners on partially self-funded plans and health reimbursement arrangement. The motion to table the issue in order to review the information for a decision at a later date was unanimously approved.

In other business, the commissioners will look at a request from the Osgood Post Office to change the name of West County Road 600N to Happy Hollow Lane. According to Area Planning Director Tad Brinson, there are currently two CR 600 N and both are dead ends. The requested change will involve two residences that although on the county road, have addresses of Happy Hollow Lane.

Technology Director Kelly Vollet reported the 70 computers purchased with a grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation have arrived. Vollet is currently installing software for each office and advised there may be a need for training.

Julie Brancamp, Ripley County Park Director, advised the commissioners of several trees that need trimming or removed. She explained that the trees are replaced each year. The commissioners advised Brancamp to request quotes for the tree removal.

All commissioners were in attendance along with county auditor Bill Wagner and county attorney Neil Comer to advise. The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 17 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Highway Garage in Osgood and reconvening at the courthouse annex at 8 a.m.