The Town of Medaryville is a few steps closer to applying for a grant to offset the cost of a major project. They are looking to build a biodome structure into their current lagoons to meet Indiana Department of Environmental Management standards. Town Council President Derrick Stalbaum tells WKVI news the project will cost around $800,000. The town is applying for a $450,000 grant and hopes to fund the remaining $400,000 by selling bonds. As part of the grant process, an outside agency is completing an income survey of Medaryville residents. Stalbaum says they have already been contacting residents and asking the following questions:
- How many members are in your household?
- Do you have a total income of $38,000 or less?
Stalbaum stresses this information is necessary, as the town is applying for a need-based grant and needs to prove it qualifies. He encourages all Medaryville residents to cooperate and answer the questions honestly. Stalbaum adds door-to-door surveys will be conducted in a few weeks.“We want to iterate that this project is not something that the town wants to do but is something that we have to do or we will receive outrageous daily fines. Possibly up to $1,500 per day,” Stalbaum tells WKVI news. He adds taxes will not be going up to pay for the project, but said sewage bills will increase if the town does not get the grant. “The council does not want to increase any utility bills,” Stalbaum adds. “However, we may be forced to to finance the project that we must complete.”
Right now there’s no time frame for the project. The preliminary steps they are taking now ensure they are in compliance with an agreed order they entered into with IDEM.
Council members met in a special session Monday to sign a contract with Umbaugh and Associates to provide financial guidance through the bonding process and complete the income survey. They also hired Dennis Otten from Bose McKinney & Evans, LLC as their bond counsel. His firm’s proposal was the lowest of the four bids the town received, with expenses capped at $9,000. The Indianapolis-based law firm also has 50 years of experience with municipal bonds.
