$74,000 for road repairs in Huntingburg doesn’t have to go back to the state

The City of Huntingburg won’t lose $74,000 left over from last year’s Community Crossings grant as previously thought.

According to Street Superintendent Jason Stamm, after going back and forth with INDOT for clarification, they determined that although each project listed in the grant had funds allocated for it in the application, the funds granted could be used on any of those projects. It was up to the city on how they allocated the grant funding for those projects.

“For example, they originally said the money allocated for Washington Street could only be used on Washington Street,” Stamm told the board of public works. “Now they’ve come back and said ‘We don’t care where you spend that money as long as it is on any of the projects [listed in the grant application] for 2016.'”

The 12 Street project listed in last year’s application was more expensive than previously thought so the city decided to hold off on completing it. That left about $74,000 from the Community Crossings grant.

“That will now be used in the three projects we did have approved,” Mayor Denny Spinner said.

Stamm said it will go towards the work on Washington Street from Sixth Street to Church Avenue or County Road 400 West from 12th Street to Phoenix Drive.

Additionally, the city learned that the matching funds amounts have been reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent for 2017 grants.

“Our commitment is lower and state’s commitment is higher,” Spinner said.

On the negative side, Community Crossings funds can’t be used for gutters and curbs this year.

This year the city is asking for $521,453 in matching funds from the state for three projects. Those projects include repaving 12th Street from U.S. 231 to North Chestnut Street, paving Washington from First to Fifth streets and Fifth Street from Washington to U.S. 231.

The city’s matching funds obligation will be about $173,818 for the three projects.