Bats in the belfry? No, bats have found a way inside the unoccupied third floor of Safe Passage, a five-county shelter for domestic violence victims headquartered in Batesville.

“We want to look into promoting and utilizing the third and first floors in order to sustain Safe Passage” by renting some of the space, executive director Debra Guzman told Batesville City Council members March 10.

She learned the bats were entering the facility through gutters and surrounding boards, which must be replaced or the invasion will continue.

It would cost about $1,000 to eradicate the bats, which are not an endangered species, and about $6,300 to repair the gutters, Guzman said.

Previously, the council had asked her to look into awnings to beautify the building. “That is something we'd love to be able to do,” said the director, who spent time brainstorming with Mayor Rick Fledderman on funding. The city’s Facade Renovations and Improvements Program offers grants of up to $5,000 that require matching funds, but any extra money the shelter has “must be used for services,” she stressed.

Compared to awnings, getting rid of bats “seems to be a higher priority.”

Councilman Gene Lambert said, “I think Batesville has done an excellent job in investing in Safe Passage over the years. I think what the group is interested in – before we keep handing money over ... are we sharing expenses evenly across all counties?” Guzman responded she has asked officials of the five counties and towns within them to fund different projects. For instance, Rising Sun leaders have committed to provide dollars to renovate the first floor. “Other counties and community foundations are funding services .... Are you not responsible for the building (repairs)?”

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development “has a federal interest in the building” because it gave early funding, city attorney Lynn Fledderman said. “The city's obligation is to make sure the building is occupied" according to HUD guidelines. After 2011, Safe Passage will own the building.

Out of the five counties, most clients come from Ripley, then Dearborn and Franklin, Guzman reported. Recently Ripley County contributed $14,000 and Franklin County $2,000. She pointed out the amount given by different entities does not correlate to client numbers. Rising Sun Regional Foundation, in Ohio County, gave $42,000 for children’s services last year.

“What other cities are giving?” asked the mayor. Lawrenceburg and Brookville was her reply.

When council President Ham Struewing suggested the Batesville council give an amount equal to what other governments donate for eradication and gutter repairs, the director said, “We have brought this to other boards and have not been successful. Most county money is used for operations.”

Three Safe Passage board members spoke out for financial support.

Sandy Eckstein, Batesville, observed, “There are people in this city who have used the services of Safe Passage. It may be your wife's friend or a co-worker. You probably sit in church next to people (who are domestic violence victims) ... If the problem isn't taken care of, we will have to look for another building. We're asking for your help.”

Nancy Marticke, Batesville, pointed out the best time to eradicate the bats is before the spring breeding season.

Terry Zinz, Versailles, reminded, “We have children in this building. I'm wondering how many of you council members have actually been to Safe Passage ... to see what kind of services are provided there ... It's one of the nicest facilities and Batesville can be proud of that. It provides services for battered people and their children. I don't think you can put a price on that.”