The Rush County Council recently met and handled a number of issues.
Rush County Highway Superintendent Jerry Sitton informed council members that the multiple February snow storms that blanketed county roads came with a stiff cost.
Sitton reported that snow removal costs totaled approximately $354,000.
According to the superintendent, the saturated grounds under the snow were soft and some damage was incurred as a result to the removal process.
He continued by saying that county residents will need to be prepared for some area roads to be closed in the next two to three years as a result of bridge replacement projects. He also said that fund will be an issue with those planned projects.
Rush County Treasurer Mary Ann Beard provided the council with her Annual Board of Finance Report. The report was the same one presented to the county commissioners a month earlier.
Beard said the county is spending more than it is taking in and that people are still attempting to pay their property taxes.
She cited a 10 percent local unemployment rate and said that a number of county residents are seeking agreements to paying their taxes.
After concerns were raised earlier this year that some services currently provided by the Rush County Health Department may be cut, including home health care services, council members were informed that Local Health Maintenance (tobacco) Funds will be utilized in 2010 as a means to continue to provide home health care and environmental services.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. To add a comment to this story visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
