Judge rules in favor of county in eminent domain of Waverly-area property

A lawsuit filed over property in Waverly has ended.

During their meeting Wednesday night, members of the Morgan County Council approved an additional appropriation of $20,000 to pay for the property and the costs of having it apprised and other related expenses.

Start your engines: New owners ready to welcome community back to Paragon Speedway.

The council voted to use money that was in the county's Rainy Day Fund.

The suit involved property that is located near the Old Town Waverly Park next to the White River.

The original lawsuit involved, in part, the ownership of the land and exactly where the property is located.

Over the years, the location of property lines in the area became questionable.

Due, in part, to the COVID-19 pandemic, the case moved slowly through the court system.

The Morgan County Board of Commissioners decided to file its own lawsuit and condem the property. The commissioners wanted the property for the park and to use as a possible access point for boats to use to get on the White River.

Late last month, the judge ruled in favor of the county and set the amount the county must pay for the property.

Veteran Service Office

Late last year, the county moved the Veteran Service Officer's office from the basement of the county administration building to the former office of the county prosecutor in the courthouse.

The move was intended to make the office more accessible to the public.

More: Brickhouse Loft and Brickhouse on Main bring events, travelers to downtown Martinsville.

When county VSO, Rick Baum retired, his deputy, Lindsay Smith, was moved into the position. Courtney Kemp was hired as Smith's Administrative Assistant.

During Wednesday's council meeting, Smith said Kemp had received her certification to be a VSO. She asked the council to move Kemp into her old position, as the Deputy Veteran Service Office for the county.

She said Kemp, who was hired on Jan. 24, has been doing the work of a VSO. Smith felt Kemp should receive the pay of the deputy VSO.

Morgan County Auditor Dan Bastin said there is a line item in the VSO's budget for a deputy position, but the council did not fund it for 2022.

The position pays around $45,700 per year which will be around a $4,500 increase from Kemp's position as an assistant.

Before approving the change, council members told Smith they had received a lot of praise for the office from several people and organizations. A couple of current council members said they remembered when the VSO's position was part-time and the county had trouble keeping it staffed.

In other business

Council members approved an additional appropriation for the Health Department of $6,000 for health insurance. The money will come from the Local Health Maintenance Fund.

The approved an additional $33,000 from the Local Health Trust Fund to pay for part time help in the department.

Election results: Culp, Greene win GOP nominations for Morgan County Council seats.

The council approved an additional appropriation of $150,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act fund. The money will pay a consultant to help the county determine how to best use the money it receives from the federal government.

The federal government has set requirements that limit the use of the funds. If a government entity does not follow those requirements, the government could require all the funds be returned.

The next regularly scheduled council meeting is set for June 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Morgan County Administration Building, 180 S. Main St., Martinsville.

The council will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, May 9, at the administration building.