Marshall County Commission President Kevin Overmyer discussed with the Marshall County Council Monday morning a few of the projects that will be funded with CARES Act funding.
The county has $1.5 million in CARES Act funding to be used by Dec.31, 2020.
He explained that the commissioners will be opening bids for a morgue on Monday, Sept. 21. The use of CARES Act funding for the construction of a morgue was previously approved by the Indiana Finance Authority.
He said the purchase of a Winnebago by the Marshall County Health Department was also previously approved by the Indiana Finance Authority.
Overmyer stated, “Between those two projects, there’s probably $600,000 – just guessing. I know that there some requests from the courts about some laptops and recording equipment. I think until you guys give us that approval and we get the bid back from the morgue then we can start going through some of those projects. I think some of the projects should not be used for COVID-19. I think maybe some of those should be funded by the county.”
He added that DLZ conducted a study to improve aspects at the county buildings, such as touchless light and bathroom fixtures, and filtration systems that increase the prevention of the spread of germs, but all will need to be reviewed before the commissioners make final decisions.
Councilman Jack Roose commented that he would like to see a list of what is being requested. Overmyer responded that the list will be made available to the council members.
When discussing the Winnebago and its revised reduced cost of $383,000, Overmyer said a lot of the items that would be outfitted for the vehicle would be purchased with a grant from the state and not necessarily with CARES Act funding. Health Officer Dr. Byron Holm has said that vaccines and other needs would be contained to one unit with the use of the Winnebago. It would improve onsite inoculations and provide clinics at the county schools, the Amish community, and care for the elderly population. It is his hope that it will raise immunization rates and the overall health care of Marshall County. Health officials can also use the Winnebago to provide an inoculation center for flu shots or the COVID-19 vaccination once it is available.
A special Marshall County Council meeting to talk more about CARES Act funding with Dr. Holm is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 18 at 6 p.m. in the second floor meeting room (Room 203) at the Marshall County Building at 112 W. Jefferson Street in Plymouth.
