(BEDFORD) – Lawrence County Assessor April Stapp Collins approached the commissioners Tuesday morning requesting to place property tax information on 39 Degrees North, an eGIS system for the county.
Lawrence County eGIS is a web-based application of land records for property in Lawrence County. Users can identify land use and surrounding property owners. Users can search by the property owner, address and tax identification number and print property records and sales information.
According to Collins, not all of the tax information is showing up on the land records on 39 Degrees North. This is causing tax representatives to file appeals before they learn what is recorded on their client’s tax information.
“It is causing us a lot of extra work,” says Collins. “And once they learn the information, they are dropping their appeals.”
All of the information added to 39 Degrees North is public information and can be obtained in the Assessor’s office.
It will cost the county approximately $1,350 to place the information on the website. Collins has the money in the budget with no extra cost to the county.
County Treasurer Paula Stewart asked permission to attend the Association of Indiana Counties seminar in French Lick.
According to the employee handbook, Stewart is required to ask permission to attend any training that is less than 50 miles from Lawrence County.
Stewart asked permission to attend and spend the night during the 61st Annual Conference from Sept. 30 – Oct. 1 because she is also a member on several committees that will meet before and after the event.
The commissioners approved the request.
Lawrence County Highway Superintendent David Holmes says crews continue to chip and seal in District 2.
Holmes says crews will be doing around 12 to 15 miles in each district.
Once finished in District 2, crews will move to District 3 and then District 1.
Crews are also mowing and collecting brush in each district.
Commissioner Rodney Fish reminded residents in last month’s meeting that chipping and sealing a road is not a one-step process.
The Chip Seal Process
- First, asphalt is mixed with about 30% water. This emulsified mixture is then applied to the road using a special spray truck. As soon as the liquid asphalt meets the road surface, the water starts to evaporate.
- Immediately after spraying this asphalt, a layer of crushed gravel is applied by a spreader. The gravel (or chips) has a maximum size of 3/8 inch.
- Next, the gravel is compacted and embedded into the asphalt by rubber-tired rollers. However, even with the high-pressure rolling, some gravel will not become embedded in the asphalt.
- The new chip-seal surface can require up to two days to cure properly. Hot, dry weather helps speed up this process in which all of the remaining water in the emulsion evaporates, and the asphalt hardens. Traffic can pass over this surface at reduced speeds during the curing process.
- After curing, the loose gravel is swept off the surface. This may take several sweepings.
Crews will also be working at the covered bridge in Williams.
“They will be doing some painting to cover graffiti and cutting some brush, he added. “To get ready for the covered bridge dinner.”
The Williams Covered Bridge was built in 1884 and spans White River.
The sold-out dinner is Sept. 14 from 3:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Lawrence County Tourism hosts the event.
Bridge crews are also working on some minor repairs on area bridges that were discovered by a recent county bridge inspection.
Emergency Management Director Valerie Luchauer says more than 16 healthcare agencies participated in an active shooting table-top exercise held at the Mitchell Community Center in August.
“It was a huge success,” she added. “They will now take the information they learned back to their facilities and update their safety plans.”
Sheriff Mike Branham was unable to attend the meeting and sent Jail Commandor Kyle Foddrill to address the commissioners.
Foddrill requested the commissioners to approve a new contract to install new video visitation equipment at the jail. The commissioners approved the request.
Foddrill reported there were 179 inmates housed at the jail as of Tuesday morning. Of those, 144 were males, 37 females, seven Level 6 offenders, eight Department of Correction hold, and no parole hold.
