When Warren County received stimulus funding for 2009, the commissioners looked at projects that weren't already on the radar.
They decided they wanted to improve accessibility at some of the county's polling places.
Although they identified some needs, the projects were not "shovel-ready" and the funds had to be diverted so they could be put to work quickly. The stimulus dollars went to two projects in Clarendon that were originally to be funded by Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) money.
On Monday, County Grants Administrator Lorri Dunlap asked the commissioners to consider directing those unused CDBG funds toward the accessibility projects.
The county has a total of $74,406.98 left over from 2007 and 2008 CDBG allocations.
Dunlap suggested two accessibility projects - installing push-button automatic doors on the Fifth Avenue entrance to the Warren County Courthouse and paving a parking space and sidewalk at the Eldred Township Building, which serves as the polling place.
She said $10,000 should be enough for each job, based on estimates she had received.
The rest of the CDBG funds would go to improvements to Center Street in Clarendon.
Commissioner Terry Hawk suggested an infrared sensor system for the courthouse doors might be preferable to a push-button door.
"I think infrared's the way to go," Commissioner John Bortz said.
"They're going to open every time somebody walks by," Commissioner Chairman John Eggleston said.
The commissioners authorized Dunlap to advertise the projects at $10,000 for the Eldred job and $15,000 for the courthouse doors.
That $25,000 would come out of $47,300 in 2007 funds.
The county has five years to spend CDBG money, though the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would like to see the money spent within three years.
Dunlap plans to advertise for a public hearing to be held before the 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 10 commissioners meeting.
Infocon
The county might realize some savings and some profit from a new online service related to the prothonotary's office.
When people are looking for information on civil cases in the county, they can go to the prothonotary's office for help.
The Infocon system will allow them to access information online, for a fee.
After a $25 one-time sign-up, users will be able to access the system for $1.10 per minute.
The county receives 50 cents of the per-minute cost.
"It can generate some revenue for the county," Bortz said.
"It's going to eliminate some of the legwork," Hawk said.
Election
The commissioners asked county voters to exercise their voting rights.
"I hope everyone will get out and vote (on Tuesday)," Eggleston said.