Wayne County approves $1 million for industrial park's sewer project engineering

RICHMOND, Ind. — Wayne County Council members and commissioners supported providing $1 million toward Midwest Industrial Park development.

The consolidated EDIT money, plus $1,016,298 from the city of Richmond and the Richmond Sanitary District will pay for engineering of a three-phase sewer project needed to service the 326 new acres purchased from Toschlog Family Farms for $13,750 per acre. The land, which is the industrial park's third phase, is on both sides of Round Barn Road south of Gaar Jackson Road.

The total sewer project is expected to cost $38,470,000 and increase the sewer capacity from 290,000 gallons per day to 2,090,000 gallons per day. The project's first phase is priced at $13,980,000 to increase sewer capacity by 140,000 gallons per day.

Commissioner Ken Paust told council and commissioners the city has said it will not request additional county dollars for the project. The consolidated EDIT expenditure now will go before the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County's board Monday. Approval is expected.

Paust said Wednesday that three companies are "very, very, very hot prospects" to develop in the new Midwest Industrial Park land, including one that's "chomping at the bit." He said the one company would plan an initial investment then follow with an expansion investment.

The sewer project would include the engineering in 2023, then bidding and construction in 2024 and 2025. Paust said that would provide sufficient capacity to serve the interested company's needs on its timeline.

"I feel it's important to the county to do this," Paust said.

The county has $3.8 million in the consolidated EDIT fund with no other large costs expected in the near future, according to Paust.

Council member Max Smith agreed the county should contribute the $1 million.

"I feel we need to move forward with this quicker rather than later," he said.

Council voted 7-0 in favor during the morning, then Paust and Commissioner Mary Anne Butters both voted in favor during the afternoon commissioners meeting. Commissioner Jeff Plasterer was out of town for a conference and did not attend the meeting.

Solar ordinance

Commissioners received from the county's plan commission an ordinance regulating commercial solar energy systems.

A public hearing will be 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23 during the commissioners' weekly meeting. The solar ordinance may be viewed online at www.co.wayne.in.us/web/dept/planpermits/SolarEnergySystemsSitingRegulations.pdf. Copies may also be requested at the planning and zoning office in the Wayne County Administration Building, 401 E. Main St., Richmond, or by emailing Laura Miller, the county's planning and floodplain administrator, at lauram@co.wayne.in.us.

The plan commission used a Randolph County ordinance as well as state law as guidelines for the new ordinance. Some elements are more restrictive than state law.

Paust, who is chair of the plan commission, said the commission thoroughly discussed property rights of landowners with the perception that solar developments will likely soon come to Wayne County's jurisdiction. He said it's better to address solar issues now and be prepared when that becomes reality.

The ordinance includes minimum setbacks from solar equipment of 45 feet to the middle of a road, 20 feet to any side or rear property line, 250 feet to a dwelling or public-use building on nonparticipating property and 50 feet from a driveway to any nonparticipating property. It also addresses ground cover, trees, landscaping, glare, signage and equipment color and finish.

Butters said she has been contacted by farmers opposing solar parks in the county taking away farmland. She said solar parks would limit their ability to acquire land for expansion. She also expressed concern about foreign buyers purchasing farmland for the purpose of establishing solar parks.

Fuel bids

During their afternoon meeting, commissioners opened fuel bids for 2023.

The county locks in a fixed price for the year up to expected gallon usage. Mike Sharp, the county highway director, said that using fixed pricing has saved the county about $1 million through the years he's implemented it, with that system only losing money in 2020.

Bids included prices from Oct. 26, but the true price is not set until Sharp locks it in with the vendor. He will observe prices through the next month or so and lock in prices when most advantageous. Commissioners authorized Sharp to set the fixed prices when he sees the most benefit.

Co-Alliance will provide fuel for non-highway department vehicles. It was the only bidder at $3.39. Co-Alliance also will provide diesel fuel for the highway department. It bid $4.0010, and Petroleum Traders bid $4.0296.

Petroleum Traders will provide unleaded fuel for the highway department after bidding $2.91. Co-Alliance bid $3.21.

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: County OKs $1 million for industrial park's sewer project engineering