MILFORD — Troyer Group’s Timothy Wall and Michael Reese were again on hand at the Monday evening, Sept. 14, Milford Town Council meeting to present estimated costs for the three proposed plans to renovate Milford’s facilities. The pair stressed these are rough estimates and include 20 percent contingency costs. “We’re erring on the high side,” said Wall.

Option one would simply renovate existing facilities and cost around $610,000. Option two would build a new, centralized government building to house emergency, utilities and administrative facilities and would cost $5,430,000. Option three would create a new emergency services building and renovate existing administrative and utilities facilities at a total of $3,593,700, with more than $2 million for the emergency services building.

Besides funding issues, options two and three raise the question of the location of a new government building. “A location that could be agreed upon is the next step,” said Reese.

A member of the public suggested solving the problem of space by “building up,” adding floors to town hall or the community building.

Councilman Doug Ruch, a volunteer fireman, asked about a site “close to town but not on SR 15.” The consultants have received comments from other firefighters about the traffic hindering the movements of their vehicles. About 8,700 vehicles drive through Milford on SR 15 everyday according to one of Troyer Group’s specialists, said Reese.

Council President Bob Cockburn suggested the formation of a building committee to investigate the matter more fully, though no final decision was made.

Ruch asked, “Is there any way to get farther into this without further expense to see if it’s fundable?”

“Ultimately, we’re not grant writers,” Wall said, but Troyer did have preliminary options listed in its packet, including grants from Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, which offers a number of different programs. Other funding options Troyer suggested include a bond issue, participation certificate and tax increment financing. The group also included incentive programs offered by NIPSCO. Town Attorney Jay Rigdon mentioned the Indiana Arts Commission as a good resource for various grants.

The council hopes to be updated on more funding options next month.

Anyone interested in examining the Milford facility study can do so at town hall, 121 S. Main St.