Darke County transfers grant funds to Greene County
By Bob Robinson 

GREENVILLE – Darke County Commissioners showed their frustration as they approved an agreement for a Transfer of Entitlements for $23,787 in FAA grant monies to Greene County. 

“They changed a rule on us in middle stream,” Darke County Commissioner Mike Rhoades said. “We have to use it or lose it,” Commissioner Mike Stegall noted. It is 2010 grant money that has to be spent by September or it goes back to the FAA for distribution elsewhere. It was tapped for a project that was originally approved but now is no longer approved. 

According to Community Service/Grants Coordinator Jeff Marshall the FAA was advised of the county’s plan. It was approved. Six months into it, the FAA changed the rules and said the project no longer qualifies. 

“They had a ‘change in philosophy’,” Marshall said. 

There was $127,559 in 2010 carryover. They were able to use about $90,000 in approved projects (with a 90/10 split, FAA and county money). 

“There was no time to fight this thing,” so Marshall worked out the agreement with Greene County. In the meantime, the commissioners got Speaker of the House John Boehner involved. 

“We’re not losing this money,” Community Service/Grants Coordinator Jeff Marshall said. “Let me reiterate that. We aren’t losing the money. We will be getting it back as we need it for future grant proposals that we may have.” 

Greene County has an approved FAA project in the works for Lewis A. Jackson Regional Airport. Darke County is loaning them the money rather than lose it. It has to be spent on an approved project. 

“Their project is approved. We’re ‘spending’ the money,” Rhoades said. “And we’ll get it back.” 

He added that Boehner is still working on it, so it isn’t over yet. 

The commissioners thanked Marshall for his hard work. 

“He did everything right,” Stegall said. Rhoades noted Marshall’s solution is the safest legal way to do this. 

Published courtesy of The Early Bird