The bulk of the Putnam County Commission meeting of Tuesday, September 24, was devoted to a public hearing concerning a HUD Community Development Block Grant Application.

Terry Martin of the Regional Intergovernmental Council (RIC) stated that up $3 million is available for qualifying infrastructure projects and lesser amounts for projects that do not involve infrastructure. Martin emphasized that only areas of the county in which 51% of the population is identified as low or moderate income are eligible for HUD Grants. The recently completed Jim Ridge Waterline Extension exceeded the $3 million limit but was made possible by coupling a HUD grant with other funding sources. Martin stated that the purpose of the hearing was to identify possible projects which meet application requirements.

Twelve residents expressed the need of public water in unserved areas of the county with ten or more of the twelve citing the specific need of service in northern and northeastern Putnam County.

Martin stated that while income consideration was foremost and necessary for HUD grants, there are other grants available which are not based upon income. Other grants may be dependent upon cost per customer or the completion of a preliminary engineering report. Martin stressed that RIC needed information to determine if a project would qualify. Martin said that the State will only approve the best applications.

Commissioner Andy Skidmore said that the county lacks the financial resources needed to invest in water infrastructure. The county is still making payment on bonds issued for water infrastructure twenty years ago.

In other business, the commission appointed Bruce McGrew to a vacancy on the 911 Advisory Board and Greg Mick to the Putnam County Board of Zoning Appeals.

Following the close of business, Shirley Jones of Fraziers Bottom asked the commission for information concerning the 40 acres that has been zoned to accommodate construction of a large warehouse. Commissioner Skidmore stated that the commission had not received any information but that he had heard from sources that contractors have been asked to submit bids on certain portions of construction on the site.

The next regular commission meeting will be Thursday, October 17.