The Pulaski County Highway Department apparently won’t be applying for Community Crossings funds this month.
Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff told the county council Wednesday that the county was late in turning in its asset management plan to the state because of the recent bridge replacement project on County Road 700 North. That meant the Highway Department didn’t have enough time to formally advertise for bids and choose a contractor before the September 28 application deadline.
But this year, the Indiana Department of Transportation has added more chances to apply. Ruff said he plans to have an application ready for the next call for projects in January.
However, Council President Jay Sullivan didn’t think Ruff needed to get formal bids to complete the application. This issue came up during last year’s grant cycle, when the county commissioners ended up approving a $1.2 million paving contract, without getting formal bids at all. They eventually had to go through the process all over again.
Wednesday’s discussion came up during a public hearing on the county’s 2019 budget. Ruff was in the middle of a series of complaints about the council’s recommendation for the Highway Department budget, when Sullivan interrupted to ask if the Community Crossings application had been turned in. The Community Crossings program covers up to 75-percent of the cost of approved road projects.
