MOUNT VERNON — The Posey County Commissioners, in a 2-1 decision Tuesday, said they would take legal ownership of the Harmony Way Bridge, but only if conditions spelled out by their attorney are met.
During an August meeting, commissioners unanimously pledged to "take over" the bridge in New Harmony, but their commitment did not include transfer of title. Commissioners Jim Alsop and Jerry Walden said terms they attached to that commitment on Tuesday will protect Posey County from financial risk.
But New Harmony residents pushing for an ownership transfer said requirements set by the commissioners likely will keep the bridge's future in doubt for the foreseeable future.
The bridge over the Wabash River remains owned by the White County (Illinois) Bridge Commission, which has only two members — Mike Egbert and David Rice, the former University of Southern Indiana president. The third member recently resigned.
The White County Bridge Commission's future is unclear.
"I don't think me or Dr. Rice are going to stay on forever," Egbert said.
Conditions for a title transfer approved by the County Commissioners Tuesday, as written by attorney Jacob Weis, state that no county tax dollars shall be spent on the bridge, and the county has no liability related to demolition or salvage costs.
County Commissioners say taking title to the bridge would mean the county would have to pay 20 percent ($96,000) of a $480,000 inspection of the span, and they will not commit to any of that cost.
"We don't have the money to pay the initial expense, much less do the repairs," Alsop said.
Andrew Wilson, a New Harmony Town Council member who also sits on a local bridge advisory board, has urged the County Commissioners to take title of the bridge so a decision to either rehabilitate it or raze it can move forward.
The Indiana Department of Transportation has given Posey County a three-year commitment to fund demolition, but only if Posey County takes title and pays for any preliminary work. County Commissioners say there is no guarantee that grants could be obtained to help with any costs associated with the bridge.
Wilson noted the County Commissioners' vote Tuesday was not an outright refusal to take the bridge, but at the same time, "they have not provided us any direction."
Conditions written by Weis include no time frame for action.
Walden and Alsop voted in favor of attaching conditions to taking over the bridge. Carl Schmitz, president of the commissioners, voted no, saying he opposed Posey County taking title under any circumstances.
The bridge links Indiana 66 and Illinois 14 in White County. It closed for safety reasons in May 2012. The span opened to vehicles in December 1930.
County Commissioners said public comment about the bridge's future seemed divided, with northern Posey County residents wanting the county to take title and southern residents opposed. A Mount Vernon resident speaking at Tuesday's meeting called for a countywide referendum.
Alsop, whose district includes Harmony Township, said he has struggled with the decision, noting he represents a district of Posey County, but also the county as a whole.
The issue of taking title to the bridge, Alsop said, has "consumed me."