Area Plan Apc / Bza - Regular Meeting

There are title six forms in the back corner by the door if you'd like to fill one of those out and return it to the auditor's office. Sheriff, would you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. And Brian, can you please lead us in prayer?

Heavenly Father, as we come before here you this evening, we ask you to guide us in our uh decisions we make. We ask you to uh please pray for our country at this time. We ask you to uh be with us as we make decisions for our community. In your name we pray. Amen. Amen.

All right. Starting first with the meeting minutes from February 16th. They look good to me. I didn't see anything out of ordinary. There was one issue that says that I seconded it, but I wasn't here. So, okay. I don't know how that happened. I know you were you were here in SP. Yeah, I would have if I was here, but I Okay, that's it. First part's financial administration approvals. Yeah. Yeah. And that's it. I'd make a motion to approve the minutes given the correction of the claims. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. I.

Those opposed. Motion carries. Moving on to claims.

Any discussion or questions on claims?

Gabe, did you have something? There was the bow ringer bow ringinger angle helm is that there was a claim in there for $4,139.34 that was under the animal shelter. Do you have a number on it or anything? That's okay. I can find it here. Is there anything else? So next guard combo cat

is that just So those are that's like a bunch of it. Buying a bunch of it. Okay. Okay. That was my

How often are they How often are you guys buying that bulk supply? Is it annually? Is it quarterly? Okay, that's a pretty good six month supply. I don't have anything else. I'd make a motion to approve claims. I'll second that. All those in favor say I.

I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Uh moving on to payroll for the week of February 27th, 2026 in the amount of $421,96429. I reviewed. I didn't have any questions. I'll make a motion to accept payroll. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. All right. Um, up first on the agenda, we have Doug Westerfeld.

Good afternoon. Uh, I have two items. Uh, I need um or ask for signatures for an expense fund agreement that I have distributed to to all of you. Uh this will allow for uh the funds or the expenses that are that are going to take place for the plane review um the inspections um with uh in attorney fees with the third party uh operators for the um the battery storage facility. Um this we're creating the the county council is approved for the the creation of the fund and this agreement uh will will set the funds up for deposit and um to allow um those bills to be paid. And then the second item I have is a master service agreement with Commonwealth. Commonwealth is a comp third party company that is going to be uh providing the plane review and the inspections for the uh for the building of the um the battery storage uh system storage system. Any questions? So on the uh expense agreement uh it looked like from the agreement the amount that would be deposited is the 352,225.

That is correct. Um how how was it that you guys created or you came up with the different amounts that are listed with the 325 and then the cap on the legal fees of 25,000?

So the um they come from the proposals from each of of the vendors. So, uh, Commonwealth gave us a proposal of their costs. ESRG, which is doing the emergency planning, they gave us, uh, an estimate of what their expenses would be. And, uh, Christopher Burke, who's doing an excavation, excavating the storm water, uh, analysis, that was their estimate. So, that's how we came up with those funds. So basically what we have here is Fletcher Power is paying for all of the site review, all of the planning and everything on that side of it. So that we make sure that on the technical side of this project for the battery storage that we're having all of our bases covered.

Correct. And then the legal fees were were our area plan attorneys. That was her fees or estimated estimated fees. Do you guys have any questions? Starting first with the Thank you for that. Thank you for that explanation. That that helps me understand where you came. I was wondering the same thing you did that dollar amount how we came up with that. So that helps. Thanks. No, I I can understand the the expense account know we have that in place so we have that the funds go into that and out of that to pay for this. So Yep. No, I'm good.

All right. So, starting with electric power, I'd entertain a motion to approve and adopt the expense fund agreement. So moved. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. And then moving to the agreement with Commonwealth to do um all of that work that is being paid for by the expense fund agreement. Make a motion. Second. Motion to approve and adopt. Yes. All right. And your second is still good. All right. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. We have

Yeah, that would be great if you've got your signed version. Rachel's the representation for for IP Fletcher Power.

Yeah. Sorry about that. The black cartridge is full. Apparently the blue Great. This one All right. That There is

heat. Okay. That's good. Anything else for me?

You want to just give us an update on the comprehensive plan process?

Well, um the next item for the comprehensive plan is we on Thursday we have a steering committee meeting. Uh so basically at this point we're we're having steering committee meetings. um every month. So this one will they're taking the data from the um from the surveys that surveys that were completed. We'll take that data uh and we'll evaluate that and analyze it um and then the then we'll have a will be the the next public um participation. So that's where we're at. Do you guys have anything else for Doug? I do not. Thanks, Doug.

Thank you, Doug. All right. Thanks. All right. Up next, we have Sheriff Bill Myrose. Good evening, so later this year, Mayor Deputy Chris Helm is going to be retiring. He came to the sheriff's department on the July the 6th of 2003, worked in the jail for three years, and then on August the 6th of O6, he became a merit deputy. So, he's going to have his 20 years in uh later this year. It is customary. And what we've done in the past is present him with his handgun when he leaves as a token of our appreciation. So since that handgun actually belongs to you, I'm seeking your authorization to present that to him as as a retirement gift. Absolutely. This is something that's covered by state statute as well.

Yes, it is. Working as a deputy prosecutor since 2012, um I've heard of this happening, seen it happen numerous times. Um, I don't have an issue with it. There's a state statute that covers it. I don't see any reason that we wouldn't want to um give him this token of his service to the community um for his duty pistol. Yeah, Chris has been an outstanding deputy. No, I'm I'm absolutely good with it. Absolutely.

Chris Helm. So, I'll I'll make a motion that we go ahead and allow the sheriff's department to uh give the retirement gift of a handgun to Chris Helm. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you very much, Sheriff. I did have one other thing for you. Um, I had received as we were sitting up here a docyign um document from Enterprise Fleet Management. Yes. For some of your vehicles. Um, do you know without me looking through

probably the ones we're turning back in would be my guess. I think from talking with Eric there was something they were trying to clear up. I'm not seeing it in here though where they had it says Decar County government or just Decar County, but I'll read through it and if I have any other questions, I'll I'll get with you. Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. Up next, um, animal shelter. Sierra, are you going to take that one tonight? All right. Um, I have papers. I don't know if you guys want them, too. So, it's just a breakdown of what we've spent so far with the cattle. I have a copy for each of you.

That'd be great. Yes.

Um, not on that is the necropsy that we just had to do. We haven't got the bill back for that yet. I don't even think it's the necropsy. I don't even think it's done yet. So, and then we were also wondering if we were able to uh worm the cles and take care of the ringorm that has a 30-day withdrawal, but it seems like we're likely going to have the cattle that long.

So, just for everyone's knowledge, uh one of the animals, one of the the cows, um was in really rough shape. Did the vet actually end up putting it down or did it? Yes, the vet did come out and euthanize it.

Um, so that cow was euthanized um due to its condition. Uh, so a necropsy is required then by state statute. The animal had been transported to Purdue uh for that necropsy to be performed. Um, and so that was when Sierra was referencing the necropsy. That was the the purpose and the reason for having that done. As far as the warming goes, I think uh that needs to happen as far as the health. It'll help with the recovery. Yes, definitely. Uh the board of animal health did come out on Friday and she said that all the cattle have gone up at least one body score since we've had them.

That's fantastic. Uh any other thoughts you guys on the the warming? No. Did was there a charge for the necropsy or I mean I see that for delivery or there will be transport but not we just haven't got it yet. Okay. All right. Do we have any anticipation of what that is amount? Um, I do not. So, so far we've we've paid out $8,125 for the care of the animals um that were seized. So, worming go. Yes. Yes. All right. Go ahead and do the worming. Okay. Um I appreciate these figures and bringing them to us today. Thank you. How's everything else going out at the shelter?

It's going pretty pretty smooth sailing so far. How are we How are we looking as far as our uh no kill status and just the regular occupancy uh levels at the shelter? Um we're doing good with I hate knock on wood with space and everything. Um and we're at a 90 like on our view on our computer we're at a 99% live safe rate right now. So, I think we just have to hold those numbers for a certain amount of time to be able to get that no kill, but we are so close. I think I saw there's 23 more uh saved need to happen in order to hit the no kill status. Yep.

And physically, as far as the building goes, any other issues or anything that we need to look at tend to? Nope, not at the moment. Very good. A couple things she's working on. Um there was some leftover ARPA money that she is uh working on doing some some venting some screens and stuff. So I think she's she's working on that. Good. All right. Thank you, Sierra. Thank you. All right. Up next, John Lake Santi. How are you doing tonight? Good. How are you guys? Good. This email to you. Yes, sir. Just a little background on study of phosphorus loaded to lake. Thank you.

Thanks John.

Y So we're requesting the support from the county commissioners on a funding project opportunity. We have um a company called Utriix came out and did a internal load on our phosphorus and um in our sediment in the bottom of the lake. The overall project um to put the chemical out basically suspend the phosphorus so it never releases is 3.9 million. Uh but there's federal government funding. So, we're requesting 2 million just to treat the deepest end where the most sediment is. Um, so we've got a a letter to send to um United States House Representative Aaron H. Hot. Hotchen and request the funding. It's um pretty quick. we've got to have it in by Friday. And then um they'll give us an answer within one to four weeks and then it's kind of a two-year process of final approval, getting into the budget and then um getting the funding out. So, we're not sure yet since we're the regional wastewater district and the lake serves the district, they may send the funding directly through the regional wastewater district. If they don't, they may request the funding to come through the county. So, we want to get your buy in up front that number one, you support the funding request and that you would facilitate the dollars if we get them.

This is a pass through similar like what we had done with the okra grant at the Y. Um, yeah. So, no, I I if you guys can get some federal money to help with your your problem, absolutely. Great. Uh, do you guys do anything as far as mitigating locally as with property owners and fertilizing yards? And

we do. We do some um quite a bit of just um publicity on it and most of our landscapers out there know not to use um certain fertilizers and things. Um we we did a study I think it was in 2020 on the load of fertilizer coming from farmers up field and and compared it to one that we've done in in several years back and a lot of the farmers have have really done good farming practices that has reduced the phosphorus coming in. Um then we also did about a $700,000 project to build a sediment pond up off the creek before it loads comes into the lake and we've done about a million three in dredging. So we've got a really good improvement in our water clarity from from those two projects. But um we got quite a bit of phosphorus that's just sitting there and typically releases and then we have a company that monitors our algae bloom. So if our phosphorus gets too high, then we have to start pumping more chemicals for the algae bloom. So never ending

Yeah. process. Do you guys have an opportunity to review the letter of support uh that I would be signing? Any comment or anything that you guys would like to see? Make a motion. Yeah, I would make a motion to uh sign the letter of uh intent for the uh Lake Cant project grand opportunity. I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you very much, John. And is it okay if Christie retains a copy and emails it to you? That's great. Tomorrow that way we just have a copy of that.

If you can just keep like the packet and the the letter together there, Christie. Okay. Tomorrow. Okay. Thank you, John. Thank you.

All right. Uh, up next on the agenda is a community building donation. Um, so we have Dennis Fogle and I had a meeting a couple of weeks ago uh with someone at this point. I'm not going public with the name, but uh they are looking at donating uh $75,000 to the uh fundraising campaign. They would like their um logo on the water tank, the grain bin. Um there on the uh the site of the new community building. Um talking with them, the discussion was for a 10-year agreement to have that logo on the grain bin in exchange for the uh $75,000 donation. Um it is a local business. Um, we can have Chad write up a contract where we're agreeing to the 10 years, the $75,000 donation, and then also just final approval on logo and placement, those kinds of things. Um, but I wanted to come to you guys first uh to make sure that you guys are okay with the naming rights on the water tank. What's the size of all?

That's one of the things that at the end of the day we would hammer out the whole thing top. No, it's not. And that was part of the discussion with them is if um the entire grain bin will be covered in logos or is it just their logo? It's not going to be the entire thing, but it will be large enough to be prominent that you can see their logo on the grain bin, but it wouldn't be. And I assume it stays a related towards the grain bin. Yes. No. Yeah. Um, so any any thoughts or or how do we apprehensions?

No, other than how did we come up with the 10-year? It was part of the early discussions the just the negotiations that we had had um preliminary in nature of course because we have to formally agree on that aspect of it and I do want to have a contract in place uh with them so that each side holds up their bargain their end of the bargain. Is this something that they install or is this something that we're going to use a signed company? We will use a sign company. So there should be a proof of it before we get Okay. Yep. So good as long as there's a proof before

Yeah. And I mean the the we or an entity that we partner with to make the sign was part of it because you can't be piercing the grain bin or installing it in an appropriate manner. Assuming it's a bind, correct? Yeah, I'm okay with that. Okay, very good. Then I will have Chad I'll get with Chad and start drafting up those details and then hopefully we have a signed agreement here soon. Perfect. All right. Uh, moving on then to the insurance discussion. Uh, I don't know when this meeting was. It was probably a month ago or so, Patty. I'm assuming.

I can't remember. I was there. I don't remember the date.

Yeah, we uh had a meeting with McGawan Insurance Group about our property and liability insurance. um some discussion about um them wanting to bid for our our insurance purposes. And so we had uh some discussion in that meeting. Uh Brady Claxton was their um is actually who we spoke with. Um but I I think there's six or seven of us in that insurance committee meeting. And after the meeting um we had a good discussion about uh McGawan and his presentation and it was very positive. Um so currently we have an insurance company Assured Partners. Um but Brady says that if they they would like to quote us they have to be the insurance agent of record. Correct.

Is that correct? So, we have to determine that and we have to um determine if they we want them to be our insurance agent of record, then he can give us a quote uh within that discussion. Um and I'll let Patty and and Christie speak to this, but there were some concerns about our current uh insurance provider. So, um I don't Patty any comments on that or

I mean as far as the rates go, we know the rates are all going to be probably pretty similar. Um but where we think we could really save some money is in our workers comp insurance. Um there's it's called the experience mod and our experience mod um is based on three years history. Um we keep claiming it there and we had a particularly high 2025. So those are not posted yet. We won't see that yet. But when we do that will also hit those rates go up again. But what this particular broker and company offered is he's a certified workers comp specialist. So he has gone on for that training. He will be able to help us be proactive with our workers comp.

Best practices we can do that will help us. best practices. Um, light duty, what to do with folks that are on light duty, establish some policies that we don't have now in place. Um, there can be light duty within your department. If your department doesn't have it, we can look at um, basically like a job bank. So, come up with different jobs across the county. So move somebody essentially from this department to another while they're online because it just really saves a lot of money if we bring people back to work rather than incur that lost time. So um that's just one of the things that they that they offered. um they have a team that would actually come talk to us and help us with safety and risk management from an HR standpoint and from claims. So

anything like to add to that? Just reiterating, excuse me, what Patty's saying. Um the workman's comp is the one that's driving our costs up the most. and he, you know, just really talked up the back to work plan, getting everybody back to work. Um, we just feel like he is and also like she said, it's I feel like all the insurance companies can offer pretty much the same rates. It's the personalized service service that you get with them.

Um, and we we've just not had that over the last few years. And as far as dollar amounts go, nobody has any idea. For the last three years totals in 23, we spent 474,000. 24 is 559 and that's right about where we're at again at 25 insurance. There's any way we that help.

So Christie, you had mentioned service. U is that one of the bigger issues that you have currently?

It is. It is. Since Patty's come on, she's taking she does a little more with it than I do now. Um in the past, I worked solely on it pretty much. Um it is the service. It's not getting con not not getting things in place until last minute. Um the amount of con not not contracts well yeah contracts that we get given and told these have to be filled out um is just astronomical just hardly with any any help.

Are those coming to you currently timely or are you getting them? Last year not so much. this year. Yes. I know. I believe it was the um the concert series that it came down to the same day to get the insurance um to get that concert series covered. Patty, anything on that side of it as far as the the service from your perspective being in HR working on a regular basis?

Yeah, same way. We need need to be When it comes to annual renewals, there's just a lot of information to gather and we disperse that out to departments as we can but a lot of it does on us.

Addie Christie, have you guys talked to anybody that works with McGawan? Any other counties? There are three neighboring counties and particular ratings and he is talking about I feel like we've been with this company that we current and we've we try to stay on top of adding and deleting every all the new equipment, all the new, you know, talking about the handgun. I mean, it's it's every little detail like that. I feel like we do a good job, but I'm sure over the years there's things that have been overlooked. Um, he's wanting this McGawan, Brady with McGawan is wanting to come in and do just a complete audit on everything that we have. And I think that's that's needed. it's needed to get things cleaned up and make sure we're paying for what we're what we still have.

Would if we were to make a change like this, because this is a large change, um does this affect any of our current insurance coverage uh as we stand now? I mean, we have a new community building that's still owned by the BO at this point. the handoff for that is growing very very near. Um any concerns as far as current coverage and the ability to get the new community building uh insured?

I don't think so either. thoughts. I I reviewed the information and also I'm in favor. Well, we we did pull the the insurance committee and I think it was a unanimous decision by the the insurance committee to uh move to McAllenady Clax. That was that was pulled by the committee members. They agree to that as well.

Anything else on the topic? That's all I have. Is there a motion? I'll make a motion to move to McGowan as our agent of record. More specifically, his name was Brady Claxton. All right, we have a motion. I'll second the motion. All those in favor say I.

Those opposed. Motion carries. Um, I'm sure there'll be some documentation that needs to come over. Or is that this right here? Okay. Very good. Moving on to property sale lease discussion. Brian, you want to take the lead on this one?

Uh, sure. Um, we had a meeting with Ed. I gotta look his name up. I can't remember. We all did not.

I did. Sorry. Jurgensson uh construction company is going to they were awarded the bid for uh I74 and they are going to start uh working on I74 between the State Road 3 um interchange which is the 134 to the 123 interchange which is uh St. Paul. So, that 10 mile stretch is going to be um rebuilt, redone. Uh and it's going to be a three-year project. So, they're looking at um there we have the county owns three 4 acre acre parcels of property. Um and they're right near the um Honda uh transport, the over overpass, the new overpass that we have. Uh but we have two 4 acre pieshaped uh properties that they are interested in leasing and or purchasing from us. Um so I have uh approached a uh a realtor to get kind of an idea of what that would cost or what would it what it would be for a sale. And um she gave me some some thought processes on what that might be worth. And then we had some discussion on maybe maybe the the goaround is to lease instead of uh sell that. So currently at the 143 mile marker at the new point exit, we own a 1 acre lot there and we have leased that lot out um three different times approximately. And um so we do have a a precedence where we have some property we've leased out to some construction companies. So, um, I reached out to Tim

and Brian Robbins and Tim and I talked. Uh, Brian kind of, uh, was given the heads up by this Jurgensson Construction Company and um, so we kind of had we had a meeting and Tim was looking at um, I don't know if you had any luck, Tim, with a did you find that lease? No.

Okay. But we're we're looking for that lease. um that lease that we had or those lease. So we we didn't reinvent the wheel. Um of course this may be a little bit more uh dollars wise because it's 12 or eight acres instead of one acre. So um that's really what I have uh currently. We're kind of looking for that lease agreement that we use for that one acre property up there at New Point to kind of mirror that. But we we need to kind of um move on this relatively quick. They do have uh a requirement by INDOT to have a um some boring some ground samples to bore there and also to make sure it's not a wetland, but that takes four to six weeks. He actually wanted us to move on something within a two-eek period. I don't I told him I didn't know if that was possible, but this uh four to six week period that they're doing those things gives us a little bit of um time, but we need to find that. Well, if we don't find the lease, I don't know, Chad, we can come up with the lease agreement.

Yeah. Um, that's really what I have right currently. Ryan, do you have anything to add to that? I know you, Brian, and Tim and I were in a meeting. Yeah, I think you know

like on ramps on both sides. That'd be great. On and off ramps there. No, actually Yeah,

they're gonna I mean, they're doing both eastbound and westbound lanes, right? That's correct. So, they'll have to use the overpass for the other one. On and off ramps. On and off ramps. Uh, yeah. I like the I like the lease idea. I mean, my my biggest concern with this is if you drive in other on other parts of 74, you see the big lots that have all of the millings. I would prefer not to see that staying there permanently. Well, what his his when we asked him, "What what are you going to use this for?" or it's going to be the the uh concrete, the concrete that they dig up. They're going to pile that there and dirt. They're not going to put equipment there. It's really honestly for concrete because all their millings they're going to send back and recycle.

Okay. Um and he wanted to purchase his thought was purchasing because then he didn't have a timeline to get rid of that concrete. Um it could been could be there indefinite. And I don't like the idea of having, you know, a 20 foot mound of concrete there on I74. Um, so a lease I think is better for us as well because we can control that and say that that concrete needs to be removed at a certain time. So I I think all things point towards a lease for us. Um, it's just us coming up with the document if we can find that document andor making our own document if we can't find it and getting this getting this done. Yeah, I like the lease idea.

I like the lease idea. I'd like to see the property return to its original condition. Yeah. So, within that lease, we can we can have those stipulations and I think that's a good another one, Gabe. A road use, you know, bring it back to where it was prior to. So, um we'll do some more digging, see if we can find that. Very good. Uh Tim, I had skipped over you earlier. Any any update that you want to give us from the highway department? real quick.

Um, our community crossing grant, all our paperwork contracts been in, it made deadline. We're all good to go on that. So, we've been trimming trees, patching, spreading stone on the roads, a lot of maintenance activities right now. Our annual bids are out, publicized. So, they're due back on the March 16th meeting. So, that that's all taken care of. 421 does have two bridges getting redone. They also have like six structures getting replaced. So, we've got the unofficial road detour agreements that we need the commissioners to sign. Okay.

So, it actually starts the 18th of May. It's six month is what it is. It runs from Greensburg down to Napoleon is where they all run at in that area. So I have sent the RFP proposed to Chad for him to review with your permission. I'd like to have that due back the April 6 meeting for the striping on 200 West. Yep. So we'll get that done. And on that I had received I know that we're bidding it out, but I had received this information from a company that Okay. striping as well. So take that after the meeting.

We'll do that. We also uh I had asked Tim to to help us out with uh around the Park Lake the the undergrowth around the trees. So, they've been um using uh some equipment out there and and taking care of some of that undergrowth. Um, it really looks good. It's He's cleaned it up a lot. Left all the trees, but anything that was two or three inches or smaller, kind of grubbed those down. We still have some more work to do out there, but uh, so far so good. That appreciate that, Tim. Looks good.

Thank you. And the only other item I have got, we have to have what they call an ERC employee reasonably in charge for all of our federal money, NDOT money. I'd like to be able to add one or two people to that, but I'll need a letter head of commissioner or something. I'd like to have permission for Christy or someone draft that authorized IND dot to add them individuals to our account. Basically, what it boils down to because currently you just have two. We currently just have one. Oh, just one. Yes. Okay. So, I'd like permission to go ahead and add that'd be good. So, yeah, that's important.

I don't have an issue with that. Okay. Look like the state's doing a lot of work. Yep. 21 there. Yep. Wasn't there just a long closure there last year too long ago? Yeah. South Yeah.

Where they where they going from? start May 18th when they're All right. Up next, we have a request for use facilities of the courthouse. Emily

so based on the historical society so there's several of us on that newspaper radio lots of people so that picture um was taken July 4th of 1918 and it was the dedication of the Decar County honor role um and there's an article of this historical society about it so what they would like to do is recreate that picture on the 4th of July this year since it is the 250th birthday. Um, so they like to be able to use the courthouse square and invite people and kind of looking at a like starting with the fireworks on the 3 that evening, then the parade, the picture and then the patriot flag waving. So kind of that be the 250 celebration for Decar County. Um, so they're asking for permission to use the courthouse square to do that. But then also if you guys would be willing to provide like some it doesn't have to look exactly like that but some of the patriotic bunting to the courthouse um obviously to make the picture just a little bit prettier and and represent

what it is. So really 1918 1918 yeah so I the original article they it said that they thought that 10,000 people attended. So we don't know if like outside of that picture there's more it you know it's hard to know for sure but that's right just hiding in there. So, um, that's kind of the tenative plans, but wanted to make sure that that would be okay to do that. And if you guys could work on the patriotic decor for the courthouse, I think that's something we could do. Is there a way that they could put together what they'd like to see or Yeah, I can ask for that. I Yeah, I think it's just making, you know, making it pretty. But I think it's I think it's a great thing to do. I think really cool to see, but

I don't know if you want us three trying to pick out. Sure. I will I will hand that over to the powers. That'd be We may need a little bit more. We may need a little bit finer cut, a little more advice. Yeah. Yeah, I can see what they want it to look like exactly, but I don't foresee it being a super expensive kind of cost, but I think it'll be a neat picture and it'll look good. Well, we could stuff. I mean, it's We We do have a large flag currently at the community building at the fairgrounds. Yeah. So, that was donated to us. Yes. So, u we we could I'm sure it's a good idea. Hang that somewhere. I mean, the staging, the the the bleachers. My gosh, this was an event.

It was an event. Yeah. So, we I I mean, they're not going to bring the bleachers and stuff in this time, but it was a big Yeah, very large event. Very cool. Oh, that's cool. Yeah, I like it. I like it. Very neat. Yep. Absolutely. Thank you guys. We appreciate it. And maybe also like what they would want to see as far as So, we can try to see what meaning obviously probably not the benches, right? But we could we could facilitate chairs. So if maybe what they would kind of like lay out what the anticipation of quantity was that way we can get an idea of what we have or what we may need to borrow or something. Okay. And there's still there's still discussion exactly where the picture was taken from I think from Broadway. But

isn't that the best church? Yeah. So that's like the his depends on how you Oh yeah. Yeah. I think this is because it's the church is there. Yeah. We were like standing trying to Well, look at the courthouse though. This tells you your reference. Yeah. You know the towers. Exactly. So the south side side. Yeah. historical society. You can blame Natalie for part of that. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

I will not only Midwest the 250 is going to be a big deal. So early commissioners and county boards around the country. True. True. Yeah. All right. I would make a motion to approve the request for use facilities for the America's 250th anniversary for the historical society. I'll second that. That was a mouthful. I was going to throw courthouse in at the end just to make him happy. All those in favor say I. I. I.

Those opposed. Motion carries. It's awesome. All right. Uh we would invite anybody that has an interest in submitting a bid to mow the courthouse lawn and maintain the bushes, flower beds uh for the next year to submit those bids by 4 p.m. on March 13, 2026. Uh we will be then deciding and awarding uh that contract on March 16th at our 8 a.m. meeting. I know Patty said that we already had a number of bids uh that had been submitted or offers that had been submitted uh to us for that service.

So if you've already submitted a bid, we we have it. Good. Yep. Right. So March 13th deadline. March 13, 4 PM is the uh the deadline. Okay. Thank you. All right. Uh anything else for you guys before I go around the room? I do not.

Okay. Uh I would just ask again if uh there's anything that you need to add to uh or add uh when I call on you if you could go ahead and step up to the microphone just so that everybody watching at home or watching later uh can actually hear you. Um Brian, anything from the EDC? Uh we wanted to thank all the those that participated in the opportunity expo uh a couple weeks ago. Uh I think it was a great success. I think the junior classes um and the senior classes all enjoyed meeting and and talking with those who who uh uh took the time to to come out. So we appreciate that um and look forward to next year's. Um on the ready updates, uh we got complimented by this state on our ready two projects. One of which again is the fairgrounds building. We have another ribbon cutting on the 12th uh being the all for kids um uh child care center over at the Greensburg Learning Center. Um they're very impressed. We're right out at about 37%. I think we're nearing the 40% of the funding, which is heads and tails above everybody else in the state. Uh on the ready one, we're uh slowly closing in on that. Um on on the final projects there to close out, that should be by September 1st. Um, also I did want to bring up that I'm watching some legisl legislation at the state house about the pos possibility of um uh tax credits being allotted to regions and handled versus at the IEDC. Um I didn't get a chance to check today to see where that that is, but they are trying to concentrate on uh regionally. Um and uh so we're very happy to have an RDA uh that would be able to handle that. We that remains to be seen to see

how that plays out, but I know from the IDC and from the state side they are concentrating on that regional contact uh and possibly putting some of those in in the hands of the regions. So I met with the representative from Governor Braun's office ready three. Well, I'm ready. Yeah. But do you have anything? I know that's really more from the IEDC side. Do do you have any update as far as No, I mean it's it's always been rumored. Uh we we figured it's not not going to be seen for another two years probably. Honestly, because a lot of those funds were from CO federal. Yeah.

Now that it's really trying to figure out where that money would come from if it were it's really been a fantastic I mean program for for rural areas like ours. Uh it's been transformational uh what we've been able to do it and what we've been able to leverage as far as investments and uh if they did continue that it' be remarkable. We'd be ready for it. Um but uh and they say that what is the imitation is a serious form of flattery and I think Kentucky and some of the other states are taking notice of how they did that. So um yeah update yet just Yeah. No, it's just just rumor. So we'll see. But that's cool that they mentioned that. So that's great. Was it Ro?

Yeah, we'll be ready. And I I told him I did convey to him that this is now the fourth or fifth state official I think that I've met with in the last probably nine months or so. Um, and so I mean I am encouraged uh from a county standpoint that they are willing to sit down and meet with us and talk with us because we were able to talk about a lot of different topics uh that are affecting as well county government. We were probably all echoing similar I think so similar thoughts here about what we would and Hchin's office just so that we mentioned has also sent representatives into the area and met with them and

all has been great. Yeah. Yep. All right. Ken, anything from the veterans office?

One thing that you guys are just talking about on the 250 the 250th. If there's anything that you need from me for military side of that, I would really need to know that ahead of time. I'm sure that our guard trying to get a static display, stuff like that. I could probably manage that, but it being such a big event, I'm sure their resources are going to be limited as well throughout the entire state. Um, but if you something like that you want to do, I'll uh go pitch it and see what we can get out of Shelbyville. Um, and maybe even a fly over. um since I do have pull with helicopters. So, it would really be cool, but I just need to know if that's something we want to entertain. If it is, then I can go and try to start rattling some cages uh for that as well. Um

fly over would be amazing. That would be really cool. A lot of charisma. I think you can persuade them too. The beauty is is that I was there, you know, when I retired the command sergeant major of that unit that all has all the helicopters. So maybe my also hearing that he wants to be the party planner. No, no, no, no. I am not a party planner. Yeah. Again, I will help support um but I I just if that's something we want to look at, I'll start. I would give you the go on the fly over. Um start start looking now. I'll take a look. And also if any if they are able to share anything from resource-wise um you know if they have any

Yeah. Uh, and and I'll reach out to the American Legion, too, to start getting them planning uh for the parade and stuff. Maybe less than just one truck in our parade. Maybe we can get a few other things for even on the American Legion side. So, I'll help with that, but I just wanted to see if that was something we wanted to go in avenue. I'll I'll start rattling cages. Thank you, Ken. Sheriff, anything else? No, sir. All right, Doug. Anything else? I'll yield my time to Rob. Okay. Rob Dehoff, we had our first baseball, we had our first tournament out at the Ball Diamonds Complex. Uh would you like to just tell us how many teams and how the event went?

You could have yielded your time to Chris, just so you know. You want to You want to do I'll make it quick. Yeah. First tournament which started, you know, a month and a week earlier than last year when we started. So, our tournament had roughly 30 teams in it. Used six diamonds. Uh, they were supposed to go two day, went to one day. So, since the weather was colder Sunday, ended up using all day Saturday to do it. Uh, everything went well. Good turnout, everything. So, beautiful weather. How many total uh players? Total players. Oh, man. That's hard to judge. So, 30 times, you know, probably about 12 players per team. Yep. So, there's a big crowd. I know Chris came out and texted me and said, "Man, this place is packed." So, yeah. So,

looking forward to a good summer. It will be. Yep. So, that was 32 left. I saw the Sentinels backdrops and stuff on the fence. That looks really cool. Yep. Yes, we do. You guys hanging that, so I got to kind of see in it. It looks really neat. Yeah, it does. It looks awesome. Had a lot of compliments on that. So, looks really good. I know there was uh there was an event at the community building at the fairgrounds as well and um we definitely need to get some more parking at the B. Yeah. So, one thing I was concerned about going there is I totally forgot uh with the construction going on at the pool. I want to make sure that those guys know that, you know, on the weekends they want to make sure their stuff secure. Copy that schedule. I can. Yes. And I'll pass it on to them because that was the other I did I did mention before I think to Chris that I want to make sure that they

keep their stuff tidy. Excellent. Coming into the Saturday. Right now, operating as fast as loose as they want because there's nobody been around. But Right. Yeah. This one snuck up on me this this tournament. It's early. Yeah. So that's a good idea because they're parked all over the place. So yeah, that's a good idea. We'll get them to maybe set up some area off, you know, where it's just for them. That absolutely. That's all I got. Thank you. Come back two minutes. Thank you guys. Chris, you want to give us an update on parks?

Yeah, just uh couple quick things. Um WCK League uh registration does end this Friday. So, um, you know, obviously nobody get those registrations in, but we are at, as of when I left today, which is about 4:30, we had 526 kids registered for Wreck League. Is that both softball and baseball? Uh, yeah. And fast pitch is actually open until April 30th. Is that right? Slow pitch or slow pitch. April 30th. So, that's those numbers aren't even really in there yet. There's only about 15 20. Do you have any comparison how that was the year before versus

It's close to where it was. It's it's a little bit higher, but it is close to what it was before. So, um still looking at especially when you add slow pitch in there, we're going to have significantly more numbers as well. Um but other than that, yeah, a lot of it's been preparation um for upcoming for these now what is 32 tournaments left and um got to shout out our maintenance crew and Rob and everybody. They were out there, you know, working their tails off in the mud and snow and rain. Um getting everything to make sure it looks good. So, what's the completion date on the restroom concession stand? They told us mid-March, correct? I think there's a delay in that.

Yeah, that's what they told us was mid-March. That's what they told us. But end of March looks more realistic. More realistic. That's what it's looking like. All right. Um, you guys have anything else for me? No, other than, you know, us working on trying to get the the parking, you know, getting that worked out. um where that house was at, you know, getting some getting that done. Yep. I think that's going to be pretty high priority because the only the only negative that I have heard from the community building now after this past weekend is parking.

Um and so it it is going to be it's going to be partially alleviated, I think, with more structured parking along 200 there with the striping. Um, but then also we'll we'll need those additional spots. Yeah. All right. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it. Chris. Yes. Obviously. It's

not wide enough. It It just not enough space to be able to pull in at an angle and pull out without getting in the line of travel. I think it was fairly close if we did angled on one side and not the other versus doing parallel on both. And it made it more dangerous having the parallel. So, it was better to do to have virtually the same amount of spots. it was better to do parallel parking on both sides safer. And we had looked at it as well if we didn't have the walkway on the west side. Um if we did away with that, uh could we have done the angled parking and it still was it was still going to be an issue.

Yep. All right, Mike. EMA,

just one thing real quick that uh March 11th, we're having our National Weather Service uh severe weather spotter training there at the annex be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and it's open to the public. Everyone's welcome to attend. You don't have to pre-register. Um we also have it on our Facebook page as an event if anyone's interested. There's some more details there. uh be giving away a couple weather radios while people are there. So, uh look forward to seeing a anybody and everybody show up that would like to have an interest. Carla, how about communications?

Um just some updates. Charlie's going to be painting the center um probably in about a couple weeks. So, we'll get that done. and 11 stains has been uh set to do the flooring in May. Um they're wanting to do it um 11 to 7 in the morning in the nighttime. Uh that's when it's less chaotic in there with everything going on and admin in there. And um and they think that it's going to be about a week before it's completed. So So couple weeks paint and then in May we'll get the flooring done. So Good. Okay. You may have already discussed this, but does does dispatch need to temporarily move or they work around them?

Oh, no. They're going to work around everything. Yeah. Yeah. And as far as the um televisions in there, our cameras or um video that we have um they're going to work with it to get those off of there, off the walls. And well, yeah, we'll get everything maneuvered around. No IDAX concerns or anything like that with having folks that are not IDAX approved being Right. Well, the only thing I'm going to have them do is they'll just have to sign in when they get there. Um and wear a badge. So, yeah,

it should be good since it's temporary. It's not like a um you know a full-time uh like maintenance or you know like Charlie had to. He had to take the uh sieges test. Um they won't have to do anything like that. I'll just have him sign in. All right. Very good. Thanks. Anything else from Christie? Anything from auditor's office? Not at this time. No. We just finished up some like the annual report was due March one. So that's why where we get the you know the lovely audit that we have come in. Um so that is done. So that's a big relief but good

I will be absent at the next meeting. It is my children's spring break and we are going on vacation. So good for you. Good deal. I'm going to blame the kids, you know. Uh Patty, do we have any active job postings or anything that we need to make folks aware of? All right. Look at the website.

Look at the website. Got some seasonal postings for the parks for tourism. Another one for Chris. Camp Rainbow is coming up, right? Yeah. Gota get that one posted. So, yeah, a lot of new people starting fantastic lately. Good. All right. If there's motion to motion, we have a motion to recess. We are recessed. Right on that.