The county commissioners rezoned ground on the east side of Chapman Lake from agricultural to residential despite remonstrance by Chapman Lakes residents who attended Tuesday's meeting.

The board overturned the Area Plan Commission's recommendation to deny rezoning 18 acres of the Plain Township property. The rezoning petition came from Sam Carnes, an official of the Open Bible Baptist Church.

The item was tabled from the July 26 meeting while the commissioners gathered more information. The property is near Lozier Drain, which flows into Little Chapman Lake.

Matt Sandy, assistant planner, reminded the commissioners the APC voted 6 to 1 against the rezoning because of perceived incompatibility with the agricultural area. Several letters of remonstrance were presented.

Dan Lee, president of the Chapman Lakes Property Owner's Association, said erosion wasn't the groups only concern. "Subdivison drainage causes 10 times the run off as agricultural land, 100 times that of a well-vegetated area. Farm owners are working with us.

"There are presently more than 100 building lots available in Plain Township, alone.

"The only reason to rezone this is to increase the property for the property owner and that's not a reason for rezoning. Rezoning is for planning."

Commissioner Ron Truex said he had driven the area several times and met with the property owner's association and other agencies involved.

"Whether its agricultural or residential, runoff can be controlled," he said prior to the unanimous vote. "I don't see that the risk to the lake is substantial. We'll be able to review the plat if it is zoned residential."

Country treasurer Kent Adams' proposal to institute "Lock Box" technology for the purposes of tax collection were delayed when commissioner Avis Gunter asked for more information.

Gunter didn't have an argument with the process works; she questioned the price.

Lake City Bank submitted a proposal to receive and process thousands of tax payments received by mail to the treasurer's office or presented at the bank on a per-piece basis, Adams explained.

The tax payments received this way would be deposited the same day and immediately earn interest. The recording and tallying process, that now takes weeks for county employee complete would, instead, take days.

The per-piece fee schedule was based on a collection of the county's 90,000 parcels. Costs were given as $19,753.40 from Oct. 31, 2005, through June 30, 2007.

Adams said because the treasurer's office routinely receives 60,000 to 65,000 in the mail, the fees would be much less. He added that the gained interest alone will more than pay for the program.

Gunter said she preferred a contract with a fixed price instead of a fluctuating cost.

The board also:

• Approved vacations presented by Robert and Evelyn Albertson in Phillips subdivision of Wayne Township; Gary and Kay Hosak, Willow Cove in Tippecanoe Township; and Robert and Marietta Showalter, Black's Landing, also in Tippecanoe Township.

Signed an ordinance to vacate a deeded public easement approved at the Aug. 23 meeting as presented by Brent and Sandy Stewart, Rummel's Haven, Chapman Lake in Plain Township.

• Heard from emergency management director Ed Rock who asked for permission to relieve Hurricane Katrina emergency workers, if called. Rock said he could be gone for a week or two. He has been advised to expect the request and asked for permission in advance which was approved.

• Signed an ordinance removing stop signs at rail crossings at CRs 100E, 100W and 450W because the cross road signals are functional.

County commissioners are Avis Gunter, Ron Truex and Brad Jackson [[In-content Ad]]