Published: September 21, 2009 09:46 pm      

Deputies may continue to use cars

COVINGTON, Ind. — Fountain County deputy sheriffs may continue to drive their county-owned vehicles for personal use.

Fountain County Commissioners voted 2-1 Monday night against a resolution that would have restricted all county employees from using county vehicles for personal use. That resolution also would have restricted county highway personnel from driving county trucks home, even in bad weather.

Commissioner Terry Ellingwood, who drafted the proposal, wanted to wait until the next meeting to vote after a question was raised about insurance coverage.

"If family members are riding, how are they covered by insurance?," he asked.

Commissioner Walt Wilson wanted to vote Monday night.

"I am not in favor of a change for the sheriff's department," he said.

After the vote, Commissioner Janet Shoaf said, "We left it the way it is for now."

In other business, commissioners:

-- Approved a five-year lease for the Fountain-Warren Health Department at 103 Sycamore St. in Attica. The yearly cost is $16,560. Warren County pays a third of the cost.

-- Opened proposals for architectural work for the proposed new ambulance facility. The ambulance committee will study the four proposals and interview some of the firms.

-- Will go to the county council for an additional request of $10,000 in the equipment fund for the ambulance department.

-- Approved Kone Elevator's $375 contract for the wheel chair lift/safety test inspection at the courthouse.

-- Will advertise for a new ambulance. ƒnƒn

WHAT'S NEXT

The Fountain County Commissioners will meet at 8:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 5 at thecourthouse.