Allen County commisioners and representatives of Carlyle Presbyterian Church made a last-minute location change on Tuesday, just a week before the installation of six storm shelters.
The storm shelters will be installed in five places around Allen County that lack such protection: Carlyle, Petrolia, Mildred, northeast Iola and two in Savonburg.
The county selected locations for each shelter, but learned the state wouldn’t approve their preferred site near the Prairie Spirit trailhead.
Their second choice, near the church, initially was denied over concerns about insurance, liability and maintenance.
By the time those concerns were resolved, the county agreed to put the shelter on private property owned by Kenny Arbuckle.
On Tuesday, Michael Church of Carlyle asked the county to reconsider. The church would be a better option for all residents, Church said.
Church said he canvassed citizens several months ago and found about 21 do not have access to a storm shelter, while about eight do.
Commissioners agreed it made more sense to place the shelter at the church and would see it be done.
Jason Trego, emergency management director, said crews with Protection Shelters would be in Allen County March 24 and 25 to install the shelters.
