Fulton County SWCD holds 83rd annual meeting and banquet

Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation District held its 83rd annual meeting and banquet at the Geneva Center in Rochester Monday, Feb. 6.

The event featured a welcome by outgoing SWCD Board of Supervisors Chairman Dustin Zellers and well as introductions by SWCD Executive Director Megan Malott, who was appointed in 2022. Zellers praised Malott for being a “detail oriented” and “creative thinker” who works well in teams and in “meeting strict deadlines … we’re very impressed with her skills.”

Following a program by State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management Regional Specialist Mandi Glanz, plaques were

Advertisement For Administrator Procurement

presented in FFA soil judging to Gavin Young, fourth place; Keegan Reinhold, third; Kyler Lowe, second; and Hunter Shriver, first.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FROM CONSULTANTS/GRANT ADMINISTRATORS FULTON COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY, INC.

Fulton County Housing Authority, Inc., (FCHAI) is applying for a grant from the HOME Investment Partnership Program administered by the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority to rehabilitate homes for affordable rental housing in and around Fulton County, Indiana.

To assist FCHAI with the financing and construction of this project, FCHAI is soliciting cost proposals from qualified consultants/grant administrators to provide the following services:

1. Coordinate the closing on all funding sources.

2. Assist in the preparation of all required reporting through project completion.

3. Assist in the selection of construction contractors.

4. Oversee the compliance with all federal requirements associated with each funding source to include, but not be limited to, Uniform Relocation Act, Davis- Bacon, Environmental Review, etc., if applicable.

5. Advise FCHAI on all rent and income restrictions imposed by each funding source, and provide information on requirements for the documentation of tenant income.

6. Review income certifications provided by the property manager.

7. Review all invoices for reasonableness and conformance with the project budget.

8. Prepare and maintain an ongoing project budget.

9. Advise and train staff on any requested issue related to the project.

10. Meet periodically with staff and board members as necessary to report on the progress of the project.

11. Assist FCHAI in negotiations with and oversight of project contractors.

12. Identify additional resources, as needed, to complete the project.

13. Provide assistance with services, not specifically listed above, necessary for the successful completion of this project.

Consideration will be given to applicants’ (a) experience, technical expertise, and past performance in administering HOME grants for types of projects described herein, (b) ability to contribute to FCHAI’s capacity to successfully carry out the proposed project.

If you are interested in providing the consulting/grant administration services described above, please submit a proposal no later than February 21, 2023 containing an estimate of hours needed and hourly rate along with a company or personal resume to: Fulton County Housing Authority, Inc, 125 East 10th Street, Rochester, IN 46975 or call Pat Brown at (260)417-1071.

Evaluation Criteria Proposal Evaluation criteria shall include:

1. Specialized experience or technical expertise of the organization and its personnel in connection with the scope of services to be provided and complexity of the project.

2. Past record of performance on contracts, including quality of work, timeliness and cost control.

3. Capacity of the organization to perform the work within time limitations, taking into consideration the current planned workload of the firm.

4. Familiarity of the organization with this type of project or problems.

5. Price

Fulton County Housing Authority, Inc. is seeking proposals from qualified grant administrators to administer HOME grant funds for rehabilitation of homes located in and around Fulton County, IN.

To obtain a detailed request for proposals and additional information about the project, contact Pat Brown at FultonCountyHousingInc@gmail.com.

Proposals from women’s business enterprises, minority business enterprises, federal disadvantaged business enterprises, veteran owned small businesses, and/or disabled veteran small businesses are encouraged.

Proposals are due by February 21, 2023

Rochester Fire Department

The Rochester Fire Department will be accepting applications for a full-time firefighter.

1. Must be at least 21 yrs. old and not older than 36 yrs. old.

2. Have a minimum certification of Indiana State Mandatory and CPR. Firefighter I & II and EMT-B is preferred. Must complete and pass Firefighter I & II within the first year and EMT-B when available or you will be disqualified from the job.

3. Must pass a written and basic firefighting skill test, put on and wear a SCBA, search for a victim in a dark room, set and climb a ladder, drag 2 ½ inch hose, and a mile run.

4. Must pass a back ground check.

5. Must pass the State PERF physical before you can start working for Rochester Fire Department.

6. Applications can be picked up at Rochester Fire Department, 2006 E. State Rd. 14, Rochester, IN 46975. Applications must be returned back to the Fire Station by close of business, March 10, 2023.

SWCD Supervisor Mike Norman then presented Duane Riddle with the State of Indiana River Friendly Farmer Award and the Joe Kroft Conservation Award for his implementation of conservation practices such as no-till farming, cover crops and rotational grazing for his cattle. Norman quoted Riddle as saying “All no-till for years and planting green works. I don’t know for the life of me why I would do anything different. I’ve been doing it right for 30 years.”

“Riddle uses intensive halfrotational grazing and feed lots. These best management practices have helped benefit his farm because he has been able to make more money. It also provides 100% cover and sequesters carbon,” said Norman, who quoted Riddle as saying “All no-till for years and planting green works. I don’t know for the life of me why I would do anything different. I’ve been doing it right for 30 years.”

SWCD Board Vice Chairman Kyle Riffle then presented the 4-H Recognition Award to Katie Schouten for her soil and water project at the Fulton County Fair. She went on to earn a merit award at the Indiana State Fair. Her project studied water quality and different types of pollution.

During agency reports, Purdue Extension’s Mark Kepler, who also serves on the Fulton County

Continued on page 15

Fulton County SWCD

Park Board, encouraged attendees to visit the new 60-acre county park built on the site of a former dump where there are plans to take out invasive species. “We have four parks now we’ve put on in the last 20 years.”

SWCD Board Secretary/Treasure Matt Harsh reported on programs and accomplishments in 2022. These included $8,961 in incentives to 18 landowners for planting cover crops; receiving a three-year Clean Water Indiana grant for $73,000 to go toward cover crops, pollinator habitat and education; the 2022 Arrowhead Country River Rafting event with 14 schools and 280 participants; over $66,000 in payments for completed conservation practices, earning a district administration fee of $6,600; and several others.

Glen Jones reported on water sampling efforts to identify sources of pollution in Lake Manitou. “Significant progress was made in the past year,” he said. Large quantities of E. coli of a human source were identified at two tile outlets into Ditch 7 west of Macy. Lab results were turned over to Lima County Sanitarium, the agency in charge of wastewater disposal regulations. Efforts will continue into 2023.

Drew McCully took his oath of office as SWCDs newest su- pervisor and will serve a threeyear term. McCully graduated from Purdue University with a major in agricultural sales and marketing and spent eight years working for retailers such as Landmark Coop and Nutrien Ag

Solutions before becoming a business development manager for a private crop insurance company. He is currently a seed advisor with Beck’s Hybrids and works with Dick Sims Crop Insurance out of Logansport.

McCully and his wife Stephanie reside at Valhalla Farms, a blueberry farm west of Rochester they purchased in 2021, where they utilize several soil biological products alongside water testing and soil moisture probes to monitor irrigation practices.

Help Wanted

Receptionist Wanted For Local Companion Animal Veterinary Clinic

The position will be 30 to 35 hours weekly and will include some Saturday hours.

Duties include: answer phones, greeting & invoicing clients, receiving payments, small administrative tasks, & explaining doctor directions and use simple professional veterinary medical terminology. Qualified applicants will have professional attitude & appearance, excellent verbal & written communication skills, be able to lift 30 pounds, must have experience in Windows based software systems, be on time and dependable, and learn quickly.

If interested send resume to:

Akron Vet Clinic

13438 East State Road 114, Akron, IN 46910

Or you may email us at: tbone@akronvetclinic.com

NEW KITCHEN ISLAND FOR SALE

Top Butcher Block - 3’x64”

3-Drawers & Cabinet In

2’W x 55”L x 38”H Base Paid $1,100 Asking

Executive Assistant Advertisement

The Fulton County Economic Development Corporation (FEDCO) is seeking an Executive Assistant to partner with the board of directors and executive director to further economic development and other matters in Rochester and Fulton County, Indiana. Nonprofit experience is preferred but not required. A willingness to learn the industry bottom to top will be helpful. A high level of organization is necessary, as is multi-tasking, knowledge of Quick Books, Microsoft products (Word, PowerPoint, Publisher), knowledge of social media and website management, an ability to work independently when necessary, possess a positive attitude and have a team approach. Other/additional responsibilities will be discussed during the interview.

Address applications to Executive Director, FEDCO, 822 Main Street, Rochester, IN 46975. Applications will be accepted until February 24, 2023.

Location: 259 S. 700 W., Winamac, IN

Auction opens Feb. 24, 2023 & ends March 2, 2023 olsonauctions.hibid.com

Consignments taken Feb. 18 (8-4) & Feb. 20-Feb. 23 (8-5)

Inspection Day: Friday, Feb. 24th (9-2) ET

Buyer pick up: Friday, March 3 & Saturday, March 4 (9-4) ET