Citing the amount of letters written to local newspapers, the county commissioners addressed both the $5 million in recovery bonds they allowed Porter County to have as well as the ongoing issue of CR 100E and the Warsaw Municipal Airport.
George Robertson, executive director of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, said recovery bonds are a debt instrument and not money.
Robertson said the recovery bonds are similar to industrial revenue bonds only with a slightly bigger scope.
"Indiana doesn't use those as much as other states do," said Robertson.
"Most municipalities and counties have not used (recovery bonds)," said Robertson. "They only make sense for projects $10 million and up."
Robertson said the commissioners acted wisely to allow Porter County to use those funds.
Commissioner Brad Jackson said the county didn't give away money but "we gave away the opportunity to borrow money."
Robertson also said the recovery bonds weren't government-backed money.
"Because of its complex nature," said Robertson, "very few projects even fit."
As far as CR 100E goes, Jackson said that none of the commissioners want to see CR 100E closed but they also don't want an airport that isn't sufficient for orthopedic companies to conduct business.
"The closing of CR 100E got three years ahead of discussion," said commissioner Ron Truex. "We have to look at what's in the best interest of the community long term."
Truex said there is a lot of discussion that is needed before a decision can even be made on what to do with CR 100E.
Commissioner Bob Conley said he was "really disappointed that fear factored into the discussion."
Conley cited the talk discussing emergency personnel 's ability to respond to incidents as bringing fear into the discussion.
Jackson said that the commissioners would explore every feasible option.
Jackson also said one thing that has changed from air traffic in the past is the amount of international flights now coming into the Warsaw airport from orthopedic companies.
The commissioners also approved a disaster mitigation plan from Emergency Management Director Ed Rock that has been approved through the federal government.
Rock said it will allow the county to receive money before a disaster to plan ahead that will save taxpayers money.
KABS' Matt Boren had the commissioners approve another claim from a purchase of equipment that came out of the Stimulus act.
The commissioners signed a ballot that would endorse the Workforce Regional board being moved to a workforce investment board thus allowing more autonomy.
Two Indiana Department of Transportation agreements were signed to allow the transfer of money for the Western Route Project.
A $7,200 request from the county's IT department was approved that would allow the purchase of software and equipment to facilitate remote access for the IT department.
The commissioners also approved all county highway supply bids as presented by Superintendent Scott Tilden.
Tilden also provided an ordinance that would increase the speed limit on Old 30 West, just east of Etna Green near CR 300N, from 45 mph to 55 mph.
That section of road had previously been reduced to 45 mph when a factory near there was in production.
Tilden also is looking into placing signs on sections of CR 100S and Ferguson Road not allowing through truck traffic in those areas.
The commissioners next meeting is Dec. 7 at 9 a.m.
