A week after it was first requested, the Allen County Commissioners have signed a letter supporting a local car dealership's attempt to keep its General Motors truck franchise and 38 related jobs.

Don Ayres Pontiac, 4740 Lima Road, was notified by General Motors Co. last year that it would lose its GMC franchise as part of GM's restructuring. But Ayres officials will appeal that decision to a federal arbitrator, and have asked top local officials for a letter of support.

Tom Kelley, whose Kelley Automotive Group also sells GMC trucks, wrote a letter to the commissioners, city and county councils, and Mayor Tom Henry this week urging them to not take sides by supporting his competitor. But after days of deliberation and debate, the commissioners ultimately decided to sign, saying they would have done the same for Kelley or other businesses.

In other action Friday, the commissioners:

♦Approved a $200 administrative fee to be collected by the Allen County Sheriff's Department for services rendered during the sale of foreclosed properties. The Sheriff's Department can collect an additional $100 if it must evict the tenants before the sale. Proceeds will go to the county's general fund.

♦Approved a two-year deal under which Wabash-based White's Residential and Family Services will operate a foster-home operation in two houses formerly used by the county's Youth Services Center at 11805 Lima Road. White's will pay the county $1,800 per month for the use of the Kryder and Yoder houses, which previously provided short-term housing but were forced to close last year because of a change in state funding policy.

♦Approved a plan to equip the City-County Building's basement cafeteria so it can provide wireless Internet access.