The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has partnered once again with local health departments and other healthcare entities across the state to host summer back-to-school immunization clinics as part of a statewide effort to help families easily access required and recommended school immunizations prior to the start of the 2023-24 school year.
Continue readingMarshall County Commissioners Discuss Funding Request for Regional Sewer District
The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a funding request for the Regional Sewer District during their recent meeting.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management approved Marshall County’s petition to create a Regional Sewer District in late 2022. The District is a form of government that functions solely to handle drinking water, solid waste or wastewater infrastructure needs. In Marshall County, the plan only includes wastewater. The District will focus on 13 priority service areas.
Marshall County Regional Sewer District Chairman Thomas McFadden initially presented a funding request to the commissioners in June to assist with start-up costs with the retention of an engineer, financial advisor, and legal expert in the field in order to give the Sewer District Board of Directors a direction. The commissioners recommended that McFadden speak to the county’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) committee for securing APRA funding up to $125,000 for the proposed start-up costs. Part of the cost was for legal fees for the creation of the District in the amount of $16,925 which the committee did support. The committee members thought that taxpayer money should not be used for this purpose as the district should be funded by user fees.
McFadden explained to the commissioners that his understanding of ARPA funding was that it was federal grant money and its initial focus was to go toward water and wastewater infrastructure and broadband. He also noted several concerns.
McFadden stated, “What really concerns me is that at some point we have septics that fail it’s going to harm the health, but it’s also going to harm the economy of Marshall County. I’m concerned that to outsiders – businesses and prospective future residents we won’t appear to be an attractive place to live. I was just a little frustrated by the process.”
The committee thought maybe a loan could be done with county funds with repayment in time, but Auditor Angie Birchmeier said she would need to discuss the process, if it can be legally done, with the State Board of Accounts.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer stated he was still inclined to take the start-up money from the county’s ARPA funding which was echoed by Commissioner Michael Burroughs. Overmyer commented that he did not believe the county should be in the “banking business”.
Commission President Stan Klotz said that he agreed that the start-up costs should be spent with ARPA funds, but questions future spending on projects in the district as time goes on. Overmyer said he thought the first project would help future projects in the district.
Overmyer made a motion to send the recommendation to the Marshall County Council to spend ARPA funding for the start-up costs for the Marshall County Regional Sewer District.
“On top of that motion, I’m just going to add at the end of that motion that if they don’t approve this, then I’m not taking another plan to the ARPA Committee,” commented Overmyer. “We can just send the money back to the federal government at the end of 2024. I’m not in favor of spending any more money out of ARPA until they are funded.”
Burroughs seconded the motion. Klotz commented that he simply supported the funding request. The motion passed with a unanimous vote.
The council will consider that appropriation during their August meeting.
Later in the meeting, the commissioners did unanimously approve a motion to pay the legal fees of $16,925 out of ARPA funds which was recommended by the ARPA committee.
Plymouth Community School Board to Meet Tonight
The Plymouth Community School Board will be appointing several people in key positions at the corporation when they meet tonight.
Continue readingTwo Marshall County Art Organizations Receive Grant Funding
The Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) recently announced it has awarded several grants to art organizations throughout the state and two organizations received Arts Organization Support grants in Marshall County.
Continue readingPlymouth Board of Public Works, Plymouth City Council to Meet Tonight
The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety will approve a Community Crossings Matching Grant bid when they meet tonight.
Continue readingFriday Night Belongs to Mayor’s Month of Music
Marshall County Commissioners Approve Recommendation for Support of Fund the Essentials 2
The Marshall County Commissioners unanimously approved a motion to send a favorable recommendation to the Marshall County Council at their next meeting to support the Fund the Essentials 2 initiative with $150,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Continue readingMarshall County Parks and Recreation Board to Meet Tonight
The Marshall County Parks and Recreation Board will be updated on several ongoing projects when they meet tonight.
Continue readingMarshall County Commissioners Hire New Emergency Management Agency Director
The Marshall County Commissioners took action Monday morning to hire a new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) director.
Continue readingBridge Work Planned Near Bremen July 7
Bridge deck overlay projects on U.S. 6 and State Road 106 near Bremen are planned on or after Friday, July 7.
Continue readingINDOT Announces Culvert Replacement Project on U.S. 6 in Marshall County
U.S. 6 between Sycamore Road and Rose Road in Marshall County will be closed on or after Monday, July 10.
Continue readingTwo Marshall County Sheriff’s Department Turnkey/Dispatchers Receive Lifesaving Awards
Two turnkey/dispatchers from the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department recently received lifesaving awards.
Continue readingFormer Pastor Charged with Theft
Marshall County Police Make Several Felony Warrant Arrests
Marshall County Sheriff’s Department deputies recently made several felony arrests.
Continue readingCulver Redevelopment Commission Seat Open
Marshall County Commissioners to Meet Today
The Marshall County Commissioners will meet today where they will get an update on the Lifelong Learning Network with Allie Shook.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Considers Match for Make My Move Initiative
The Culver Town Council members discussed a match toward Develop Culver’s work with the South Bend Elkhart Regional Partnership and a Make My Move initiative.
Continue readingAir Quality Action Day Extended through Friday, June 30
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has forecasted another Air Quality Action Day for Friday, June 30.
Continue readingCulver Town Council Asked to Impose Moratorium to Review Solar Ordinance
The Culver Town Council members were asked Tuesday night to impose a moratorium on large-scale solar farms on agricultural land and industrial energy battery storage projects in the two-mile zone so time could be taken to review the town’s current ordinance concerning these separate items.
Janette Surrisi explained that she read the current ordinance and suggested it needed some updates to include tighter definitions of solar energy systems as it is written in the ordinance, plus the required processes for project permits, setbacks, project plans, decommissioning, and various restrictions when it comes to site plans and equipment. The zoning for industrial battery storage projects should be included in the ordinance and other restrictions.
She asked the council to certify a proposal of a moratorium to the Culver Plan Commission.
Debbie VanDeMark and Paul Levett, both of Culver, spoke of their concerns of the large-scale solar farms and industrial battery storage projects in the county and in the two-mile zone in Culver. VanDeMark noted loss of agricultural land, environmental impact, protecting adjacent landowners, property value guarantees, an emergency fire safety plan, liability insurance, decommissioning, material data safety sheets, protecting farmers who have signed leases, and an energy storage ordinance. Levett made similar remarks.
The council members commented that it might be best to review the ordinance and to keep in mind Senate Bill 33 that addresses a solar and wind power equipment disposal study that is expected to be complete in 2025.
Marshall County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Greg Hildebrand commented that many companies are looking for a mix of renewable energy when scouting sites. He added that coal-fired and natural gas plants are being shut down with more renewable energy being sought.
Chris Kline said a lot of misinformation is out there, but several government entities are overseeing the current processes and asked that more study be done on both sides.
Ginny Bess Munroe pointed out that the Town of Culver does not control the entire two-mile zoning of Culver and that some of it is controlled by Marshall County. She encouraged the council to refer to the map to be sure they are discussing the correct areas when further discussions are warranted.
In the end, the council voted 4-1 to impose a two-year moratorium on large-scale solar farms and industrial energy battery storage projects. Council members Bill Cleavenger, Bill Githens, Bill Hamm, and Sally Ricciardi voted in favor, while Rich West opposed the motion. West said he wanted more time to look into a possible moratorium.
Bremen Town Council Considers Funding Request for Fund the Essentials 2
Marshall County United Way Development Manager Brian Teall and Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way Executive Director Linda Yoder presented information to the Bremen Town Council members during their recent meeting about an opportunity for government financial support.
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