Commissioners appoint BOAC members to Airport Authority

Thursday, December 19, 2013

With the Putnam County Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) soon to be no more, giving way to the new Putnam County Airport Authority, the county commissioners' Monday agenda had them appointing the airport authority board.

The commissioners made it easy on themselves, however, replacing the five-member BOAC with the same five members on the new body.

This action was at the request of the board members, seeking consistency in the leadership of the Putnam County Airport.

"I'd certainly like to keep the team we have intact," BOAC President J.R. Scott said.

Current Scott and Vernon Bothwell Jr. were appointed to four-year terms. G. Duane Skoog will serve a three-year term. Perry Wainman will serve two years, and Rex Eaton's appointment will last just one year.

Hereafter, all Airport Authority terms will be four years, but the initial terms allow for staggered turnover.

The current makeup of the board also meets state standard for political party representation, with three Republicans, one Democrat and one independent.

The Putnam County Airport Authority will take over governance of the airport beginning Jan. 1, the result of an October resolution by the Putnam County Council.

The chief goal of establishing an airport authority is better and more consistent funding for the facility east of Greencastle.

As an airport authority, the Putnam County Airport will now have its own tax levy rather than being part of the Putnam County General Fund.

This arrangement is similar to that of the Putnam County Public Library, whose budget is approved by the county council, but whose money is drawn separately.

The new tax levy could carry a burden as high as 3.3 cents per $100 of assessed value. However, the state is more likely to approve it somewhere in the neighborhood of 2.5 cents.

The commissioners also made several other appointments Monday, including:

* Michael Lambert to the Floyd Township Fire Protection District;

* Kevin Scobee to the Alcoholic Beverage Commission;

* Travis Lambermont to the Walnut Creek Fire Protection District.

In other business:

* The commissioners approved the two-year Budget for Putnam County Community Corrections.

* County Highway Supervisor Mike Ricketts discussed plans for his department to, weather permitting, trim brush as various locations around the county.

Ricketts said the process will take some time, and he thanked the public for its patience and cooperation.

In a matter more immediately at hand, Ricketts also said he would like to discuss the county's response to snowfall. Highway crews have been out quite a bit in what is shaping up to be a heavy winter.

Ricketts told commissioners he is "sweating bullets" about the resources and hours being used in his first winter as supervisor.

One commissioner and one council member will be meeting with Ricketts to make sure everyone is on the same page regarding snow response and removal.

* The commissioners approved, pending county council review, transitioning the water conditioning at the Putnam County Jail to a no-salt process provided by EasyWater.

The system will cost $18,000, but will save an estimated $5,200 yearly in salt costs alone. This does not count the wear and tear on pipes and systems that EasyWater representative Dean Frieje said would also be saved.

"It would definitely save you a good amount of money in a short amount of time," Frieje said, estimating the system will pay for itself in less than two years.

The matter will be in front of the Putnam County Council on Tuesday, Jan. 21 as an additional appropriation from the Cumulative Jail Fund.

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