Beth Rumsey
Editor

Garry Wright, LWC, an architect for the annex project, presented the final schematics for the building at the regular commissioner meeting on Monday, March 21. Wright utilized the comments and suggestions made in both commissioner and building committee meetings, as well as input from office holders, to create an acceptable floor plan.

The schematics show a three-floor building with a meeting room for commissioners or council meetings. The third floor or attic space, will be utilized for storage, with storage areas on the second floor. Other changes to the design was made.

The commissioners unanimously approved the schematic designs with the changes made and the contract for the architect services.

Jennifer Sturgeon requested the commissioners act as a sponsor for Horsefeathers Therapeutic Learning Center in order for a $200,000 grant from the City of Lawrenceburg be applied for.

According to Stugeron, the grant will be used to purchase land located in the area behind the United Parcel Service in Versailles.

Sturgeon explained that Horsefeathers will provide therapeutic riding lessons in an 80x100 indoor arena. The building will also have a banquet room and office spaces that will be available for rent in order to generate an income.

She also explained that if the nonprofit closed, the land would go to the Jefferson County Youth Shelter, which helps children from surrounding counties. The commissioners explained that if Ripley County was to be a sponsor for Horsefeathers, then the land should go to another 501c3 nonprofit in the county.

Sturgeon agreed to the request and said she would contact the lawyer representing Horsefeathers to make the changes. The commissioners unanimously approved the motion to sponsor Horsefeathers Therapeutic Learning Center for grant applications.

Stan Richards, QPH, presented a quote for a new heating/air conditioning control system for the county jail. According to Richards, the current control system needs updated.

He proposed to disable the current system and to install individual thermostats to the six roof top units. This will solve the problem of the heating and air conditioning running at the same time, according to Richards. The motion to table the quote from QPH was unanimously approved.

In other business:

• The commissioners unanimously approved to sign the grant application to the City of Lawrenceburg for $500,000 for the annex project.

• A certificate of temporary occupancy issued to Mark Rulli, Gold Star Chili, was approved. The certificate will be for 30 days. According to Rulli, he is waiting for permits from the State for the suppression hood over the fryer and cannot use the fryer until the permits are received.

All commissioners were in attendance. The next meeting will be held on Monday, April 4 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Highway Garage in Osgood and reconvening at the annex in Versailles at 8 a.m.