County Commissioners approve Public Safety Sub-Recipient agreements with area fire departments

At the last County Commissioner’s meeting, County Attorney Jim Clevenger discussed the Public Safety Sub-Recipient Agreements, which will provide matching grant funds to several fire departments in the county.

The County Commissioners agreed to use the remaining American Rescue Plan Funds so a couple of the fire agencies could contract for equipment before the January 1^st price increases.

Early in the summer, Union Township Trustee Marleen Mahler appeared before the County Council seeking assistance for the fire service. She said the increasing cost of trucks and equipment made it difficult for the smaller fire departments in the county.   

A committee was created with county elected officials, representatives from county governmental agencies, and fire departments to work on a solution without implementing a Public Safety Income Tax, which the state has made available with a limitation of $.005% of income.    

The County Council and most committee members determined that the county had enough funds to provide up to $500,000 of matching grant funds.  The funds can be used for equipment and training.

The Town of Bourbon planned to purchase several air tanks for its firefighters' self-contained breathing apparatus, but the company will double its cost in January. Clerk-Treasurer Kim Berger wanted to sign a contract with the company before the end of the year at a lower cost but needed assurance that they would receive the county’s grant funding.   

The county Attorney prepared sub-recipient agreements for the Towns of Argos, Bourbon, Tippecanoe Township, and Polk Township's Fire Departments.

Commissioner Kevin Overmyer made a motion, and Commissioner Mike Burroughs seconded the motion to approve the four Sub-Recipient Agreements for ARP Funds between Marshall County and the Town of Argos, Town of Bourbon, and Tippecanoe Township in the amount of $50,000 each and Polk Township in the amount of $24,991.36. The commissioners unanimously approved the motion.

It was noted that the other departments can receive their grant match funds in 2025.