County Seeks Grant To Demolish Old Huron School

Last updated on Wednesday, August 10, 2016

(BEDFORD) - Rex Knight of Southern Indiana Development Commission held a public meeting before the Lawrence County Commissioners meeting Tuesday morning to seek a grant to demolish the old Huron School.

Brownfields have become a problem in many communities and the old Huron School has become an eyesore for that community. If awarded the grant, the funds would be used to demolish the building and restore the property to a green space.

In other business:

The commissioners renewed a contract with IC Health Wellness Department to continue to provide wellness screenings for new employees.

Bjorn Carlson of ADP presented a software program to the commissioners that would help the county manage their workforce to stay in compliance with several federal and state statues.

As a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the rules of workforce management have changed and now counties are faced with additional compliance risks, increased complexity and potential confusion about who needs to do what, and when.

The software would help county officials manage crucial employer-related elements and help identify and address compliance issues saving the county thousands in fines.

The software would cost the county $44,000 a year for four years. There is no contract and if the county doesn't like the program can opt out anytime.

"We have been out of compliance for two years and didn't even know it," says Commissioner President Bill Spreen. "Currently we don't have any program that has the capability to do the needed reports for the state."

The commissioners will not make a decision on purchasing the software until after the budget hearings next week. They hope to have a decision by the next commissioners meeting.

Sheriff Mike Branham reported there were 144 inmates in the county jail. Of those 32 were females, 8 were Level D felons and there were no Department of Correction holds.

Miles Parker of Parker Insurance reported that the county's health insurance rate with Anthem raised 5 percent for the coming year. The commissioners voted that the increase will not be passed on to county employees. The cost of insurance for the county cost around $2.57 million dollars.

Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes reported crews are finishing paving in District 3 and chipping and sealing in District 2. Crews are also out mowing.

"We have received several complaints about the grass blocking motorist views and we are working on it as best as we can," Holmes added. "The grass has just gotten out of control this year and residents need to be patient with us."

Crews are also replacing road signs and cutting brush.

The Commissioners also approved a bid for the department to purchase a John Deere 310 SL backhoe from West Side Tractor in Bloomington.

Holmes reported bridge crews have demolished Bridge 113 and crews will begin driving in piers Thursday and Friday.

The bridge over Spring Creek was closed after an accident in July knocked out a pier from under the bridge and caused other substantial damage. The bridge is located between Popcorn and Harrodsburg roads.

The cost to replace the bridge is $105,000. The work should be completed in about 8 weeks weather permitting.

Work continues on Bridge 83 on Logan/Donica Road located just off Logan Bottoms Road.

Crews will be filling a large hole that weakened the concrete deck. The cost of the project will be around $10,000.

The bridge is still open but reduced to one lane and has a load limit of 12 tons until further notice.

Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer says those who call the Highway Department to be aware they are having phone problems.

"We are dropping calls and I don't want people to think we are hanging up on them, we are just losing the signal," she says.

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