BUDGET REQUESTS

Steve Sacksteder with Four Rivers Resource Services presented their budget requests for Ride Solutions and Red Door Industries.

Both programs asked for $5,000, the same requested amount as the previous year. The programs are part of the commissioner’s budget, which will be submitted to the council later this summer.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT

New Highway Superintendent Jim Williams briefed the commissioners during his first few weeks on the job. Williams took over for Darrell Courtright after he took another position.

Williams requested guidance on the highway department budget and opened a bid for $5,795 from CLR Inc. to remove the old Butler Bridge. Although the commissioners tabled the bid, they agreed the old bridge needed to be removed.

An executive session was set for Tuesday to go over the highway budget.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Commissioner Dan Gregory said the board has to appoint two to serve on the Martin County Economic Development Commission. The commission, Gregory said, was needed in order to access tax increment financing, or TIF, money from the Westgate @ Crane Tech Park.

A resolution was tabled until the next meeting.

The newly formed county Advisory Plan Commission will have a public meeting on the proposed land use plan on July 23 at the 4-H fairgrounds. The plan will be voted on July 26 and then be forwarded to the commissioners. George told the public the plan is to help obtain more money from grants and not for zoning.

INSURANCE

Auditor Nancy Steiner asked the commissioners for permission to shop on health and property and casualty insurance on the county buildings. Steiner said the deductible, $500, is very low and the county could do better on premiums.

On health insurance, Steiner said if the county wants to get competitive health insurance, the county has to start soon to get a large amount of bidders.

JAIL IMPROVEMENTS