County receives grant to study flooding issues in two subdivisions

Bartholomew County has crossed another hurdle to address flooding and standing water concerns in the Armuth Acres and Northcliff subdivisions.

The Bartholomew County Commissioners announced Monday they have been awarded a $34,650 planning grant through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA).

The financial award will fund a study to determine why nearly half of about 102 homes northwest of Clifford sustain flood damage or standing water during long and heavy periods of rain.

Earlier this year, one resident told the commissioners her family was facing $28,000 in damages, while another said he had paid about $16,000 for flooding repairs.

Monday’s announcement of the award came two months after the commissioners agreed to seek money through a federal Community Development Block Grant program.

When residents first approached the county for help in 2002, a number of Armuth Acres and Northcliff residents backed away after being informed each of them might have to pay more than $5,000 to fix the flooding problems.

But it was discovered the project was eligible for grants after a survey revealed 52.8% of affected families qualify as low-to-moderate income, according to financial consultant Trena Carter of Administrative Resources Association (ARa).

Immediately after announcing the grant was awarded, the commissioners wasted no time Monday in awarding related contracts. Strand and Associates, an engineering and consulting firm, was chosen earlier this year from three competing firms to do the actual survey.  On Monday, the commissioners awarded Strand a $35,000 contract.

After agreeing to contribute $3,850 from their own budget, the commissioners also approved a contract to pay the Administrative Resources Association $3,500 to administer the grant.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.