Rush County Commissioners Tom Barnes, Marvin Cole and Ken Masters met earlier this week and addressed a few items of concern.

In recent months county surveyor Marvin Rees has sought available companies’ services to provide his office with a means to place properties on the Internet with relative information related to the infrastructure of the lots.

Following a number of presentations, Rees recommended that the county enter into a contract with the company Sidwell to provide information-sharing software and service for three years.

Next to address the county leaders was APC director Bill Todd regarding property in Manilla that has twice passed through tax sales.

According to Todd, the property located at 9356 West Pearl Street in Manilla is owned by J.D. and Bonita Hogan of Shelbyville. A mobile trailer on the rural property has remained vacant for a considerable amount of time and poses a health hazard as well as an eye-sore, Todd said.

Commissioner president Barnes said that he and other commissioners have received inquires from nearby residents regarding health issues and about the overgrown lot.

“There is an old trailer and the owner does not want it. County health inspector Reno Gosser has done an inspection and deemed it (the property) unsafe and a health issue,” Todd said.

Todd continued by saying that funds are currently available in his budget to clean up the property.

Sheriff Jeff Sherwood said that his department would also help in the effort.

A representative from CGS Services in Morristown attended the meeting and said the disposal company could haul away the rubbish.

Once the property is cleared the county will take ownership of the lot.

County treasurer Mary Ann Beard expressed concerns about the county taking ownership of the land. Those concerns were taken into consideration by the county leaders; however, Barnes said that a nearby owner has expressed interest in purchasing the property once it is cleaned up.

In an unrelated matter, Todd questioned an invoice from a company contracted to provide GIS information for the APC. Todd informed the commissioners that although the company, GEO Com, has submitted a $3,000 bill for payment for training services rendered he does not feel the company provided the training.

Todd is seeking alternatives to meet the GIS needs of his office.

In a final matter, sheriff Jeff Sherwood said that improvements to the handicap ramp at the Rush County jail are completed. While making that improvement it was discovered that during an earlier repair three roof drains were set in place and emptied onto First Street. However, during winter months water in the drains froze, causing the pipes to break. The improvement project replaced a line that will tie into a sewer drain on Perkins Street.