Also, jail project lands a developer; Sheriff gets grant for new K9

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The Howard County Commissioners received some worrying news at their meeting on Sept. 15. Funding for street repair from the State of Indiana is drying up. As such, the county will attempt to land dollars for a pair of bridge repair projects, hoping for the best in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Howard County Highway Superintendent Amber Tolle approached the commissioners, requesting the extension of a service contract with USI, a bridge design firm the county has used for consultation and small design projects. Once the commissioners approved that extension, Tolle followed up with a request to move forward on two bridge projects.

Tolle explained that, due to extreme flash flooding on June 14, two “small structures” are in need of repair. One of the bridges in question is located along County Road 680 West.

“This structure was overwhelmed with that storm, so we've decided that we need to get on the design for replacement of that small structure,” said Tolle. “It is going to become a bridge, because currently it is less than 20 feet long, but it is under capacity. With the new design, it is going to become longer than 20 feet and is going to become a bridge.”

The second bridge is located along County Road 770 West, immediately north of Ind. 26. Tolle explained why she wanted to move on both designs as soon as possible.

“It's been on our list of bridges that we need to redesign,” said Tolle. “We want to kind of get into both of them and see which one will be the easier bridge to design. The idea is to submit one of these bridges on the Community Crossings application in 2026 for the 2027 build.”

Community Crossings is a state-level funding program that has been available to cities and counties for street and bridge repair. Through this year, both Howard County and the City of Kokomo have received millions of dollars to make these repairs. This funding, however, is now in question, Tolle explained.

“Community Crossings has changed substantially,” said Tolle. “It is becoming a lot more competitive to get those dollars, and I feel like it's going to become even more competitive, because the overall funding for Community Crossings has shrunk.

“Instead of asking for a $1.5 million match, we can only ask for $1 million now. Instead of doing a $3 million project, it's going to be a $2 million project. Bridges will become a lot more enticing to give money to, so we want to shift and see if we can't get some money for some of these bridges.”

Jail moves forward

The commissioners also approved a public-private agreement for the construction of a new jail. County Attorney Alan Wilson disclosed to the commissioners that weeks of negotiations and revisions have resulted in an accord that will make the mandated project a reality.

The developer Garmong, operating as Howard Jail BOT, LLC., was selected to design and construct the new jail, which was ordered into existence by the Indiana Supreme Court last year. The county purchased land at 2200 W. Markland Ave. to use as the location of the facility.

With the agreement, Howard Jail BOT will submit schematic designs for approval. Agreement on a budget and a construction schedule will take place following acceptance of the design. A feasibility study on the project, completed in 2024, estimated the cost to range between $140-$200 million.

Should everything move forward without serious impediments, construction of the new facility could begin as early as Spring 2026.

In other activity, Bethany Wenger of the Howard County Health Department was named employee of the month for August at the meeting. Commissioner Brad Bray read the recommendation for her award into the record.

“(Wenger) consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and leadership across multiple high-impact projects that have both have served both our organization and the broader community,” said Bray, reading from the recommendation submitted by Health Department Director James Vest.

“In addition, (Wenger) has gone above and beyond with Howard County programs. Their coordination efforts and hands-on involvement helped expand outreach, improve access for the community, and strengthen our partnerships with community stakeholders. Beyond these key projects, (Wenger) has been a consistent presence at numerous community outreach events, offering support and personal engagement that reflect our commitment to our mission.”

Sheriff gets grant for new K9

The Spirit of Blue Foundation, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the safety of law enforcement officers selected the Howard County Sheriff’s Office as the recipient of a Safety Training Grant.

The grant was used to acquire K9 Kees, a three-year-old male Belgian Malinois from the Netherlands. K9 Kees was purchased from Ultimate Canine, LLC. The grant covered the cost of the animal and associated training.

K9 Kees already has been an asset to the department, locating more than 60 grams of fentanyl on a traffic stop on its first night on patrol. K9 Kees will further the department’s ability to serve and protect the community, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

This grant was made possible through the support of Law Enforcement United (LEU), a national organization comprised of active and retired law enforcement officers, as well as surviving family members of fallen officers. LEU raises funds annually through a 250-mile bicycle ride into Washington, D.C., during National Police Week to honor and remember fallen officers.

In addition to LEU's sponsorship, Guardian Angel Devices contributed mounting accessories to support the safe and effective deployment of the new K9 unit. Additional support was provided by Sportsmen Organized for Law Enforcement (SOLE) and the Renee & Gordon Graham Foundation, whose contributions helped bring this grant to fruition.

“This grant exemplifies the Spirit of Blue’s mission to enhance officer safety and vitality by meeting vital safety equipment and training needs,” said Ryan T. Smith, Executive Director of the Spirit of Blue Foundation. “We believe this K9 will not only provide tactical advantage but will serve as a trusted partner in keeping Howard County deputies and the community safe.”

For more information on the Spirit of Blue Foundation and its mission, visit www.spiritofblue.org.