Vallonia drainage problems under review

BROWNSTOWN - Jackson County Board of Commissioners opted to begin efforts to find federal funding to cure drainage problems on streets in Vallonia.

That decision came during a meeting at the courthouse annex Tuesday morning.

"Personally, I would like to see that project proceed, even though I won't be here," commissioners President Gary Darlage said. Vallonia is in Commissioner's District 1, a seat Darlage has opted not
to pursue in the November general election.

Trena Carter with Ad-ministrative Resources association gave an update about the project and what it would take to move it along.

"I need to get a letter of intent from you," Carter told commissioners.

That letter of intent is needed to obtain a $30,000 federal grant for the cost of a study to determine the project's scope. The county will need to provide a local match of $3,333.

Darlage said he believed the local money should come from the county highway department's local roads and streets money because the project would be designed with the idea of improving water flow during storms.

Commissioners eventually voted 3-0 to proceed with the grant process and to ask county council to fund an additional appropriation to cover the cost of the local match.

Carter said once the planning study is complete, the county could apply for a federal Community Focus Fund grant of up to $500,000 for the actual project.

In an unrelated matter, Carter said an income study for a project to build a new fire station in Pershing Township has been completed.

That study is required before the county can apply for federal grants for that project.