Council authorizes bond issuance for Edgelea subdivision

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Putnam County Council formally passed a resolution last week authorizing the issuance of bonds for the upcoming repaving project in Edgelea subdivision.

The project, which will repave the entire neighborhood with the homeowners paying 75 percent of the cost, has already been given the go-ahead by the Putnam County Commissioners, with the council tentatively agreeing.

Tuesday's resolution officially authorized the issuance of bonds, with cost not to exceed $1.7 million, time period not to exceed 20 years and interest not to exceed 6 percent.

The project cost has been estimated at $1.4 million, and the interest rate is expected to be lower.

Although the county is on the hook for only 25 percent of the cost, these are county-issued bonds, meaning it is Putnam County's responsibility to collect the homeowners' money and repay the bond company.

The 75 percent will come from a yearly assessment on each Edgelea property, estimated to be in the neighborhood of $625 annually.

The remaining 25 percent, an estimated $25,000-$30,000 annually, is likely to come from the County Economic Development Income Tax.

In a smaller, less costly construction project, the council approved an $11,499 transfer in the sheriff's department budget.

The money will fund the construction of a fence for an impound lot for the department. The 8-foot fence with barbed wire on top will be built by T.J. Fitz and Co. on the south side of the Putnam County Highway Department property.

The transfer is only temporary, as the group of impounded vehicles next up for auction is expected to net between $30,000 and $40,000.

In other business:

* The council further discussed the public defender options for the county presented by Judge Matthew Headley in November.

Council members expressed favor for a plan in which the county has a roster of six public defenders, each paid $35,000 annually. The question remains, however, where the $210,000 price tag will be drawn from.

The council will further discuss its options in January.

* Members voted unanimously to keep Elizabeth South as the council's attorney.

* Coroner-elect Dave Brown was granted a fund transfer that will assist with an upcoming project at the Putnam County Hospital.

Brown is working with the hospital in a move toward establishing a functioning morgue in Putnam County.

The full establishment of a morgue is not imminent, but Brown is hopeful the partnership will help further the services his department is able to provide to the county.

* Among a number of additional appropriations approved by the council was $2,375 from county general to pauper counsel.

The money, begrudgingly paid by council members, is for attorney fees for Bill Minnick, who continues to cost the county more than 30 years after he murdered Martha Payne.

* Jay Fogle completed his final meeting on the council.

The veteran councilman originally retired from the council four years ago, but was called back into duty after Nancy Fogle was elected District 2 Putnam County Commissioner two years ago and could not complete her term.

Fogle will be replaced on the council by former councilman Gene Beck, who will complete his second term as Putnam County Commissioner at year's end.

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