Area Plan Apc / Bza - Regular Meeting

All right. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. April 20th, 2026 commissioners meeting. There are title six forms in the back corner by the door if you'd like to fill one of those out and turn it in at the auditor's office. If you'd please stand and uh Chris Knobblet, will you please lead us in the pledge of allegiance? I pledge allegiance 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 if you can remain standing, Greg Red is going to lead us in prayer.

Father God, we are so grateful for another beautiful morning that you have created for us. And Lord, as we meet together, Lord, I lift up Brian, Gabe, Jeremy, as we as you have chosen them to leave this county, Lord, some of the decisions that they have to make are decisions that none of us would rather stay away from. So Lord, give them strength, give them wisdom and guidance as they run this county in a way that's pleasing to you and for those who voted for them and even more for those who may oppose them. Lord, let us be good examples into this world. Let us be a light to all around us. And Lord, as we go throughout this day, let us remember the sacrifice you made for each one of us so that we may be reconnected with you and have hope for eternal life. It's in your son Christ Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Amen. Thank you, Greg.

All right. Starting first with the review of the April 6 meeting minutes. Guys have any amendments? I didn't have anything. No, I would make a motion to accept those minutes. I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Moving on to claims. Everything look good in the claims to me. I as well. I'd make a motion to approve claims. I'll second that motion. And all those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Moving on to payroll for the week of April 10th, 2026 in the amount of $428,554.31.

I'd make a motion to approve playable claims. I'll second. All those in favor say I. I. I. And those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. All right. Tim Hortman with the highway department. Morning, gentlemen. Morning. Morning, Tim. Uh, first item of business will be the striking at 200 West. My recommendation is to award that the lawyer.

All right. I've got the bids here. So lawyers paid looks like $13,6126 and Indiana sign and barricade is $58,4020. That's a big difference. Yeah, definitely lawyer. Substantial. Yeah.

And did you go through these already to make sure everything's there? Okay. All right. Well, I'd entertain a motion. I would make a motion to accept lawyer for our painting and striping of Junior West. A second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries.

Second line is Enterprise truck. So we had on last J. Didn't touch on a whole lot. We're working with them. We're still working with them going through the process and everything. Lowest cost ownership undoubtedly is to purchase outright. Basically that's what it boils down 200 ship versus lease to the tune of probably about 13 to 14% difference in cost is what it would cost us lease versus owned. So we do have an option we can own through them purchase through them basically state bid

uh basically it' be based on source well which is a a contracted pricing situation plus any factory incentives uh would apply. So with new model years coming out, there could be some factor incentives coming down the line yet. That could apply. So these these are preliminary. Basically what it is, we purchase them. They have total title for a year because they are not a dealership. So it' be a $30 a month is what they charge per vehicle to run the maintenance of the fleet is what it' be for that year. Then we have the option to buy out $400 for that's the title and all that, etc. is what be down to. So for clarity, this is

much like what we do at the sheriff's department. Their enterprise purchases a vehicle, they get it outfitted to the way that meets your standards, your specs, then it's delivered to you ready for operation. Yes. And then they would hold the title for one year at $30 a month. Yes. And then we would purchase the vehicle. Yeah. And it cost $400 to do the tile transfer and all that paperwork transfer at that point. It would Okay. So 360 bucks plus the 400. So $760. And then you from there, you're saying the total cost to do it that way is 13 to 14% less than if we were to buy it and outfit it ourselves. No, then if we lease it, if we take the lease term, you know what I'm saying?

So, we've only preliminarily priced them. Purchase them outright through them and us is pretty close. I mean, it's not a whole lot of difference, but we don't have the leg work of transporting vehicles here to get set up, getting them set up, bringing them back. We we we get away with all that plus all the warranty work for that year. If it has to be transported somewhere, we're out of all that. It's taken care of for us. Do you know what the cost difference is if you purchased it and did the outfitting yourself versus if they purchased it and did it? It's pro. I mean, I don't know for sure. I can get it to you. The invoice of the truck with the chassis itself is basically the same purchase price because they're both coming through the government source. Well, on that part of it, yes.

But do they get a better deal with the outfitters than We would have to price the exact same outfitters to find out if there's a better deal on that. Yes. And I can go back. You're saying you're not you're saving all the leg work if you went with them. They're doing all that for with the 760 bucks and all the leg work and the warranty work, etc. is what it's saving the counties. Yeah. I understand there's a great deal cost in two people driving a truck here and dropping it off and doing that three or four times with each outfitter just right be able to get it all done as well. So I'm not asking go with these right now. These are just preliminary just an idea what we're looking at where we stand at this point. Yes. If you could get us that figure of what the difference would be. Yep.

Yep. Just so that we know. I mean if it's No problem. $500 you're gonna have way more than that in labor moving the truck around. Yeah. It's interesting to see that that the lease program works so well for the sheriff's department but not for what you're using it for. I think because a lot of it's mileage and turns the sheriff's department turns vehicles a lot quicker due to the high mileage. Yes. So I think that's where the big big difference actually is is you know we're looking to keep something five to seven years eight years and a lot probably higher cost of upgrade. Yeah definitely. So I think that's where it comes into okay different class. Yeah. Okay. All right.

So, that's what we got there. So, you got any more question on that or we'll just keep checking through this? Yeah. Get us those numbers. That'd be we'll do it. We'll do it. But thank you for this information. No problem. Good.

So, uh, next one is continuation of County Road 400 West. So, we was asked to go ahead and do traffic counts on the road. Uh, get pace rating and put some preliminary calls together. So, uh, the pace array, the traffic help, start our traffic counts. So, we put two traffic hours out, one on the south side, one on the north side. So, the one on the south side down there just north of base road had an average traffic count of 38 vehicles a day. So, peak traffic one day was 56. So, traffic counter two was on the north end up there by Northwest 240. It had an average traffic count of 22 with a peak of 39. So, that's how the traffic count average traffic of 60 per day. Huh. But combined average traffic is 60.

Well, depending on which way the traffic came in and out. Yep. So that's why we ran two traffic hours to track. So the majority of track there's more traffic coming in from south going out south than because the residents there are on the south south of the 90s. Yeah. It makes sense what the data showed as you're coming in and out, right?

Yeah. So little little bit of history of the road. 2003 is when it was gravel. 2004 and 2005 is when it was converted to asphalt. It was done by millings and chip and seal over and a chip and seal application. So 2011 it was a pace rating seven 2021 pace rating four 2025 was a pace rating of three. So that kind of gives an idea when it was done and deterioration of the road over time what kind of time it took to deteriorate. So and then next we just kind of broke down the project cost. Yeah. All the rock All right. Any thoughts, guys? Um, we do have um some guests here this morning that uh I think you guys you guys spoke last time about it. Um, we did get your email uh about your thought process of we're okay

with it as long as we do speed bumps is what you had said. Um, so as far as speed bumps go, I I'm not a personally not a fan of speed bumps. I don't think that's what we should be doing on our county roads. Um, I know we talked about speed because that was a big problem, right, for traffic. You you talked about you you thought things were um vehicles going too fast. So the hard part for us is we can't control how people drive. Um we can we can put speed limits. We can do a reduction of speed limit in that area. Um

I think we all know the speed limits mostly. Most people don't typically know our speed bump. Well, that's true. I did have Tim pull that information from Purdue. And so the speed bumps are there there's three different kinds of speed bumps. or speed bump, speed hump, and something else. Table,

the table, that's the real wide one. Um, so those all have different classifications and speeds that they can be used. And the smallest one, which would be your speed bump, um, it still classifies out after 30 mph. So, if the the road would have to be it's designated typically for res more residential areas that are 30 mph and less. So with the county road falling in that 45 degree or 45 mile per hour and that knocks the speed back out because it's actually more dangerous. If somebody were to hit that at 45 50 mph makes the rear end of their vehicle go loose. They get out of control. They may actually have more potential to go in your yard than if they would have not and would have it not been. So you guys had talked about speed unless you only lower it to 45.

Well I think assuming that's what the standard county road standard count is 55. The recommendation would be this would be just when we're done have a traffic study done on it. Let traffic engineer give us the recommendation. See what qualification it falls on. If it does pose to that coordinate. My thing is everybody loves to talk about how our roads need to work. If there's ever a time you are pushing that much traffic down our road, that's a lot of traffic with children living on that road and animals. I mean that's ridiculous to send people down that road going that fast on a beautiful wide road. But also, this road hasn't had anything done on it since 2003. I'm not fighting that right now. We can't ignore that. And

I get that the for me the the concern that Gab brought up was what we had discussed last time when I asked if there had been any situations in which a vehicle had come off of the road as it sits now and had gotten close to the house. And the answer was no. If we have speed bumps, I think there's a higher likelihood of that actually happening because people would be losing control, especially when it's slick out. Would that be a sign that should a speed bump speed bump signs up for speed limits, too? People ignore those. Yeah. Do you ignore speed bump signs? I'm sure you ignore more speed limit signs than speed bump signs. Definitely hit one faster than I should have one on accident. Yeah,

I'd say it's a less likely chance of happening. So it's it's that if it's a perfect sunny day, yeah, do you see them? More than likely, do you see the sign of this? If it's impaired road conditions such as snow or ice and then you you know you hit it, I think then that's where the extra caution. You know, you may not have known. You're driving faster already, but snowy and icy. It's not about speed. If especially if it's slick. So you know it's if you hit that bump and then it sends to be a quite out of control. It's controlled by speed limits. We can't put them in unless the speed limit's under 30 m per hour. I mean you guys are discussing lowering the speed limit. So, let's lower it to 45 Well, that was my fault. This is a This is the first time we've talked about it.

I mean, go ahead. I'd be fine lowering this people. Something is not going to help. It's out there, but there's never cops out there. Why don't Why would the county road? I get that. Sure. But it's it's our responsibility to make sure the road's taken care of. It's our responsibility to make sure the roads widened and paved and taken care of. Um, and we have a a duty or responsibility. If if it says we can't put a speed bump at lower than 45 miles an hour, we're not going to put a speed bump there. And we're going to keep the speed limit at 45 miles an hour. So, or the standard where it's at. The the standard we have to follow standards as well.

So, are we or are we not going to keep on to 45? Yes. Going to do that. Yes. I think that's a discussion that we will have cuz we have to draft up something else completely. Not entirely within your control. That's a whole another I would push for that's a whole another that's a whole another hearing. This is just for whether or not we're doing this part of it because there's another statute. There's other I think there's a whole separate ordinance we would have to file on that. Yeah. But before you're allowed, like Tim said, you'll have to do a traffic study and it'll have to be inappropriate before you're allowed to go to that

or the population density has to be so high to make it allowable. So, it just depends, right? So, that's not what we're here for today. Today is just whether or not we're moving forward on the paving here. Um, and what we see from the traffic study or from the the road count is that there are more people than just your families, the folks that are living there.

I do wish that study was done back in November when they originally asked for it because these were put out right when farmers started planting everything. There was about 20 rangers going up and down. I just don't think I mean as accurate as it would have been on a normal day. And we did ask for that back in November and he didn't do it. I mean, and that's another frustration. I know I can't speak for Siders on this one, but like we were told that um we would come back to the drawing board just kind of look up the plans before we even came to a commissioner's meeting. That never happened

in case if we needed to move the road line off of our property. And that meeting never happened in our city. So, I wish we would have had that so we could push this road off our property, which I don't know, maybe things just got forgotten about, but this got pushed through, but I wouldn't like the road to not be

if this road is going to get 20 foot road and get just crammed at us anyway, I don't want it on my property. I don't know why it has to be 12 foot. He wasn't at the last meeting. You weren't at the last but it is that's a standard when we approve them. It has to be 20 ft wide. Guys, don't make any of those less.

We're trying to get away from roads that are narrow that make it difficult for two vehicles to pass because we're trying to upgrade all of our roads. And as you as was stated earlier, this one hasn't had anything done to it since 2005. Um, vehicles aren't getting smaller. Farm equipment's not getting smaller. Uh, that's our concern. Vehicles aren't getting smaller. And so when you're when you're looking at a road and and going in smaller, pardon me, that's our yard. It's getting smaller. Yeah.

And redoing it. That's our consideration is that we are looking at safety. A road that is the 20 foot is a safer road because of the ability to pass oncoming traffic. I wouldn't necessarily argue the wider road is safer. I think you have more more incences on a wider road as 3 421 465. I mean, the wider the road we can we can argue that it is it does show it does show that wider roads are safer. People don't get off the edge of the road. They don't

get off the shoulder. They're it's but anyway. Um and then just back to the plans too, like again I'm not speaking for Tylers, I'm speaking for us. Um like we haven't seen anything the plans since November. I've seen something from Rigers. Um, and then since then it's changed, especially with the escurve, but like I mean that's what we were expecting as a meeting before this. We have not even seen what our plans are now. So I mean the whole road has changed or anything. If anything's changed on it, we don't know. We've only seen what Andy Reaper showed me. So I mean that's just normal and how you guys do it or how he's supposed to do it. Not really keep us in the loop. Like that's just not pretty good on our end.

What's the structure of it? So Michael, if you showed them the latest ones, I provide you most of our communication from Michael. Okay. So Michael is the one that was at that meeting kind of side. I'd send in plans. He was supposed to follow up with you all. So I mean, but yeah. So the late Michael had the latest ones was probably about then curve. I think that the latest I think everything else remains same. Everything else remained the same. is but we can get you Yeah, we can get you the and actually the stakes out there staked that we st back whenever a long time ago they were based off the latest design standard. So yeah, we can get it to you. It's no problem. And I said my 4024 deal

on those. Um I mean we talked about the uh electric lines that cover and how the road be kind of graded up to the property line. At what point do you need those kind of details to make sure that's within the plan? The whole whole thing is we want to make sure that everybody's good with dealing. This is where we're going. This is how wide we're going and then we can work with each individual property like hey you got any special concerns here you got special concerns here them type of thing. So it's finishing touches are after. Yes. Because you know it's no use going through doing all the details and then changing and changing changing. So yes. Okay.

Yes. Anything else? Just keep in mind this is small town. I would like to stay a small town. We got concrete growing around everywhere, guys.

They have anything else? Yeah. Jade Brian I don't guess one more thing is there any future you know like with um you know they talked about batteries all that kind of stuff is this road anticipated to be used for anything more for those kind of projects or anything that's anyone's aware of the the only development that I know out there is a hall facility has been ide so it could You know what I mean? That's the only thing I'm aware of that's anywhere been permitted or complete, you know, far as that goes.

And the battery facility that was previously approved back in 22 is is around here. Yeah. Perfect. Yep. It's up on the other side of 74 there. Okay. Anything else behind the scenes? All right. Is there a motion? I make a motion we do the construction as designed by our county highway department. I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries.

All right. Next item, Tim. Yes. Uh so I end with DOT will me was adding me. I end was attending. So they made it very very clear that we need to dot our eyes, cross our tees on all our application more that any little thing they're throwing it out. They're pulling funding. So we got to get on that. So bridge 131 within that bridge indo missed a deadline made us unqualified to go reimburse our rideway. So the county requested go back and redo that. Got rejected. I'd like to go back again and request them relook at that since it was not our fault that deadline got met. It was a county bridge 131.

Bridge 31 is the one on 200 South out by the county line got closed. So because it was not a factor or a consultant factor of Decar County. It was totally outside of our control that that deadline got missed. I would like permission to go back and ask INDOT again to get reimbured for the rideway on that project be eligible for that cost. Yeah, makes sense.

So the second thing I have for INDOT is the city put in for unofficial detour on 421. They got denied on that. So they've took it their board works. Mr. Claus Camper has he's also took it to the town. Both of them want to reapproach INDOT. Um, I'd almost entertain a motion to go ahead and do a resolution for the county to the state requesting that as an unofficial detour so we can go from reimbursement. Their their reasoning was they're not closing city 4 totally is why we're not eligible for that. But it's a parallel route that we've seen last couple weeks how much it's got utilized at different times. There is no traffic there.

So I I think you know coming from highway park is one thing. If it come from a resolution to Gary County commissioners might carry a little more weight. Yeah, absolutely. So that I like to entertain that notion. Yes, absolutely. Talk with Chad.

Thank you. So, uh, upon the conversation on 74, we've had conversation with the construction contractor on 74 with having access points. So, right now, they had three proposed access points they want to utilize. Uh, they've come up with a road usage agreement. Chad and I have looked to know we're we're both in agreement with it. Okay. So, this will be utilized for structure traffic, but it'll also be utilized by emergency services. Uh, if there's a big long way that gives them an alternate route into that. Um, so that's kind of where that sets. Ed is here representing the contractor. We have any questions for Ed or anything? But if not, I'd like to approve that road usage agreement with them.

Do you have a copy of that? I was going to say I haven't seen a copy. Dad's got to kind of

So the one the one question was videotaping. They're going to take care of that. The LAR and the

the actual they're going to videotape. And this anticipation next year also when they flip sides there will be access points off the south side to our road on the south side which be different ones they flip sides interstate. So Ed, you anticipate probably three locations again next year when we flip sides of interstate when you do that

at the most.

Okay. Chad, you looked over. This looks good. Yeah. Any questions on the radius?

And I will add because it's in controls that controlled their interstate. They have to work with the contractor of how they're going to control that through gates. However, they're going to control that access interstate. I guess there was one question I did ask. Yes, they got to work out other traffic from getting versus emergency vehicles. The access point will be located on the side of the interstate that we'll be working on there. No traffic on. Okay. And as far as keeping the traveling public from driving in our work zone, we can either put gates, barrels, different things to make sure. Okay. Barricades. I would I would make a motion to approve the temporary right of entry access agreement.

I'll second I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries.

So Ber energy project we talked about mentioned on Cyro 400 North. Um development is very good work with since it's been turned over construction. They've not been real responsive. Matter of fact, there's been a few little issues involving them. So, as of Friday, they are putting different personnel on it. So, hopefully their responses, fixing roads, doing that, etc. Hopefully, they get better. Uh, we're going to find out. So, if not, we'll be back here to discuss what the next steps will have to be from a commissioner standpoint. They don't get more responsive. So, the signage portion of it did not meet main uniform traffic control devices. We've been in contract. They are now hiring our traffic engineer to go in and figure out the signage, get it up to where it's supposed to be. So, like I said, hopefully with the new change of personnel that things will start moving along a little better, be a little cleaner going. So, um credit card limit like to raise that. Talked to Christie. I'd like to raise that to 5,000.

What is it currently? 2500. Uh I mean we had this year they went to buy a pile of seed and it's over 2500 bucks. So I mean we can we can raise it just temporarily but we'd rather do it permanently. So we're not calling Christy going hey raise it. Okay raise it back again. So and we do use Huh. Are there more places that we can get terms set up with and as we can just thinking when you said seed yes it with do they do net 30? I'm just thinking of a way to try to avoid the fees.

It isn't just that. The other thing comes into is we can have a account set up at X. Okay, but everybody knows how online is anymore. You can find a lot cheaper at Y. So then we have to set an account up with Y if it's one time or two time purchases or just put on the credit card and purchase it that way. You know what I mean? So some of that I was thinking more like frequent flyers. Yeah, the frequent flyers we like to stay with it. Um, the problem is when you get a charge account hiccup at a at a merchant here in town that we can't charge till it gets worked out, then when you're down, we can't charge to them or we charge by the credit card.

And that's I'm not opposed to the $5,000 increase. I'm just saying that if there's more places that we can have terms set up with to try to save cost when we can. You already have all that. We have all in place. Like this one right here was a hiccup with the accounting it. They couldn't charge to us. We just went to put on a credit card to get it that way. It was above the amount. How often is the highway department's credit card being used? Oh, every month cuz I know most of our stuff comes through. Most of it does, but like I said, there's no special vendor type situation. We buy something here one time situation. It's a lot cheaper. Uh and Amazon,

I think, you know, these guys are responsible. They know what they're doing. They're I would uh make motion to approve their spending limit to 5,000 on their credit card. I understand what you're saying, Gabe, on all those points. Makes sense. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries.

So, I'm activity been moving around along the thing. We had some good spot of patching stuff. Back on bridge 167 in Westport. So, winter hit last year, we closed it. We just temporarily opened it up. this year went back in now that weather warmed up approach slabs getting held up. So we're moving right along that bushwack and so that bridge is is right now slated to be paid paved April 27th week of April 27th. So we'll have that done. Um as far as our LAR grant we talked about applying for again this year we Doug and I met with Walpert and the city and the city's want to do the same same type of thing. So there's a very good possibility we'll look at partnering for that grant for them to get their ADA branch different things also so others know there might be a partnership coming down the line with that grant situation uh touch truck north went really well so we did have an RNC training live demonstration at the highway department we hosted it uh we ended up having five of our highway department partners participate so county jar James and Shelby County all set personnel here to participate in that. RNC picked it up. It's a very good training. It's the same training they actually put on for the public safety personnel they kind of put on for the highway department.

So the pictures look like there was quite a few in attendance. I think it's about 75 in attendance there. Good. So yeah, had good turnout and then of course had good good report with the other surrounding counties. Good. It was a good deal. So the mutual aid agreements with the towns, Chad's had them looked over the agreement. We're all good with it. So when we do the hazard mitigation go around we'll be taking that approach by that as also very good. So anything else me gentlemen? Thank you for all the information report. Thanks Jim. All right moving on to Abby Harry community corrections. Good morning.

Good morning. Um, I am here today to run over our grant proposals that we send to the Department of Corrections and the Indian Office of Court Services for the different programs that we run. Um, currently the three grants that we apply for through them, they fund all of our salaries uh or not all of our salaries, but they are only salary.

They're only applied for for salaries. So, the first one is the probation officer grant, which is currently funded through the Indiana Department of Corrections. um that is our specialty probation officer, if you will, that does your high-risk felony um probationers. Um so we've requested his salary um it's $58,473 we've requested from IDOC on that one. Um the community corrections grant which funds um all the community corrections officer salaries um which are also probation officers. We've been told to expect a 20 to 25% cut this year. Um, so our statewide organization that we call has requested that every county request the funds they use for the entire year. Okay. So, we don't normally request this much funds, but we are requesting $52,816. Um, and so what that is, that is our yearly budget. drug screens, electronic monitoring, any treatment software, anything like that. Um, they are trying to do that to show the Department of Corrections the need that is only increasing. Department of Corrections is asking for us to provide more services, more intensive monitoring while they're cutting funding. So, that is the purpose of doing that. Um, but just so you guys are aware, that is not only salaries in that one grant. Um and then the last grant is through the Indiana Office of Court Services. It is our wellness court grant which is also called drug court problemolving court. Um it's run out of superior court with Judge Bailey and that is for a probation officer salary and uh benefits per all that fun stuff. Um it's $127,865

that we're requesting from those. Um we expect to see cuts um from IOX and the probation officer grant a little bit not as extreme as the comm community corrections grant but we do expect to see some cuts just kind of the way everything's trending unfort unfortunately um DOC cut uh last year they cut um the grants just by a little bit and they cut all the extra grants prosecutor diversion grant problem solving court grants um pre-tri trial grants. So, Community Corrections is expected to take the brunt of those cuts this year. So, budget-wise for you guys, how does that factor in? I know.

Yep. Um be able to continue those services. Yes. So, we have been planning for this for a while because we got we expected these cuts also last year. Um so, we've been planning kind of decreasing um things like that. a couple of years ago, we didn't replace a case manager. Um, so we've been planning for them. Um, we've been applying for more local grants to help cover drug testing fees, things like that. Um, we found a a cheaper, more secure um, ankle monitoring system, which we've been on for over a year now, which is fantastic.

Yep. Um, so we just making little cuts here or there. um training, you know, certain things. We're not um we're just making little little cuts here and there that are making the difference. Um but the county picking up our insurance um was a huge benefit and that's what's allowed us to really be able to continue. This is the problem that DOC is causing counties is that they are trying to get people out of prison through different programs and other mechanisms as quickly as possible and it's pushing the burden onto counties. Um, so our staffing our staffing requirements are going up, our monitoring costs are going up and DOC is

trying to get people out as quickly as possible. U I'd entertain a motion to approve all three at one time. I'll make a motion to approve all three grants. I'll second that. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Thanks, Abby. Thank you, Abby. Mike Snder up there already. He's ready to go.

Good morning. Morning, Mike.

So, here today to uh see if the you would adopt our resolution for the multi mitigation plan. This is one of we've been working on Christopher B uh for since last year and we have met all the necessary requirements set forth by FEMA and have moved through that process. It has been out for public review through its twoe period and now we are I have not seen any public comments as of yet. So last time received so far Then our next step now is for the county to adopt that and it goes to FEMA and then and IDHS and once they approve it then will start at the same time moving to the other incorporated states. So

okay once uh that is completed then we will have that plan finalized and completely done and the 5year clock then resets and this for five years. So, I like where we're at in that process. Any questions? I do not. Good job, Mike. Working on this. This is good. Yeah, especially once we get it to all of the other towns. Right. That'll be great. Right.

And part of that too, one of the requirements is out of the disaster mitigation act of 2000, this continues to have the gator county eligible for any mitigation grants and mitigation funding going forward as well. Good job. Christie, do you have a resolution number? Um 2026-9.

I'll make a motion that we approve the hazard mitigation plan as presented. Second. All those in favor say I. I. And those opposed. Motion carries. Also, just as an additional note, I know that we've been working on other incorporated towns, right? As I start to go through those other towns to work on get this adopted with them as well. I'll be also uh if that's all approved and everything is okay with that, then you'll be looking at them to have adopting those as well.

Very good. Fantastic. Good work, Mike. I don't think so. Thank you. Oh, and thank you for the the work for the the fairground safety plan, too. Thank you. All right. Up next, we have Lisa and Rob from Centerstone.

Good morning. Good morning. I am the new CEO for the Indiana market for Centerstone. I've been in the role for a month, so I'm not actually the best person to speak on the specifics for Decator County. So, I've asked Rob uh to join me today. He's the chief operating officer for the organization. I did give uh Jeremy my cell phone number. Um you're free to hear that with the other commissioners. If you all have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me directly. I'm going to turn it over to Rob. Thank you. Morning. Good morning.

Chief operating officer. So, first I want to express appreciation uh county. I think as we continue to um work through and get the the county funds and all of that resolved, just really appreciate that. I think the the main thing that I want to also address is that we we also want to make sure that you know that we have we've had good intentions to continue to carry out our mission in the county. Um and I I have some and we have actually a lead behind that we can link with you as well. But over the last year um we were one of eight mental health centers that were selected to be in the CCBHC program which is the certified community behavioral health initiative. Um and that started last January. Um and so as we prepared for that um a big part of that is improving access to care um shortening the wait time to those appointments etc. But really in order to do that one of our main focuses has just been on workforce and increasing that I think over I I wanted to go through a few of those metrics that we've been focused on just to actually just continue to demonstrate our commitment. um we've had a 36% increase in the services we've provided over that time frame. So from last January um to present we've increased our our client served by 33% over that same time frame. And I think most importantly and what's enabled us to do that is we've effectively doubled the staff that we have providing services as well. So about 17% increase. Um through that um we've we've invested in staffing. Uh we've added two additional therapists to the team as well as three community based staff um including a pure specialist um which really enhances the type of care we provide. Um in addition to that I think was mentioning I think we have five or six staff that are in the process of

getting a master's degree which is tremendous from a workforce development. That's something that we we um invest in staff to to to move in that education. Um, and to have five or six of those in the county is is pretty amazing, frankly. Um, um, other things uh, that we want to highlight um, in terms of our school presence, we do have staff in in 10 schools in the five uh, systems. Uh, most of those are in the Gator County schools and schools. Um, but we also have some referrals from Good Shepard, um, St. Mary's as well as Head Start. Well, you know, under the CCBHC program, which is primarily funded through Medicaid uh system, we we've seen just that group alone, uh we we've seen a 16% increase in those uh uh clients served. Um, one of the things though we've also been experiencing is just with um the the uninsured or the underinsured population um those with other sources that close by 129%. And over that time frame. So that that's one of the things we're also experiencing which which may or may not be a surprise but as we see that uh the insurance world changing that is something we're definitely starting to feel as well. Um so in in closing, I don't want to take a lot of time um and take questions. Um is is really our ask is um that Keer County um appoint member which is Eastwood to uh represent county sorry um on our board of directors. So, I talked with Bridget. Um, unfortunately, she said that the way her life is at this point, she has to decline reappoint. Okay.

Uh, and so we're going to have to find someone else. So, if there is anyone out there, uh, that has interest in serving as Decar County's representative on Centerstone's board, uh, that would be greatly appreciated. Um, we definitely want somebody that is passionate about this area. I know in our conversation that we had a couple weeks ago that you have all different um representatives from different walks of life on your board, but we want to make sure that they have a passion for this. Um so yeah, uh we greatly appreciate Bridget's uh work and willingness to volunteer over the years, but she just indicated that uh sometimes life changes and gets a little busy.

So I think that's where we're at. So, we have an open appointment. If anybody's interested, uh, let us know and we'll be able to reach out. Also, the the Greensburg Police Department reached out. Yeah, I was just and they were they wanted to share that over the past few years that things have have really increased. Um, Courtney as a local person. Uh, but they're very very impressed and have had very good luck and wanted to share that they really appreciate what you do. That was very timely almost to the point. I think that's what I'm looking

I know that the um county council has asked pointed questions about services and reports. Um, I know that, you know, we've delayed payment for a while and, um, some of that delayed payment has been because of their questions of what what are what are you actually doing for Decar County? Um, and uh, what are your services? Where are you providing those services in those reports? And um, have you heard those questions, concerns? They were they were mentioned to me during during the call. Yeah. Okay.

I I had voiced those. And so when I'm when I'm looking down here on the bottom of this handout on the right side that 34,217 services uh I know I put an emphasis on it being just to cater county. So those are just to county services. Um and that's for what? 25 25. Okay. All right. And is that like one individual receiving multiple referrals, treatment types, that kind of thing? Yeah. Okay. Do you have any idea how many actual individuals had participated in services uh that centerstone provides?

Sorry, let me do some math. That's okay. Yep. I can tell you currently we have um almost over 400 active clients currently. 400 active clients indicator county. Yeah. How often do you see or what's the fluctuation rate for folks being processed in and processed out? Average services are at just over 1600.

Okay. Gotcha. Very good. That's good info. Well, we we we have a discussion I've had discussion with the the council and and um and sometimes they feel like they're not getting accurate information or reports that they would like to see for the funding. So, this helps us as we move forward, you know, data that you all would really like to see that we can try to No, I don't know if this is more of what we were looking for. Um, okay.

You know, jumping back to before you guys were here, um, the numbers that we were getting was just like what Centerstone was doing as a whole, um, in the state, I think is what it was, right? Chad and it was that and some numbers we felt missing. I would say that back reports and the last reporting cycle statute across the board. So that was exactly where we've been pushing for. Yeah. And so like these numbers with what that was always the bigger question that I remember from the council is what are you doing in Decator County. Okay. U and so that's why these numbers are

more important to know exactly how many people how many services are being provided. Okay. Good. And if there's a cadence other than annual that you all would like to receive that data even if it's just a a quick you know once we can certainly provide that just on the case that fits your foot what your schedule and and having a you as our contact person helps us tremendously because I don't feel like that and again I'm going by hearsay and listening to what the council and previous um that they didn't feel like they were getting the information they were asking for. So that's a fair

and I and I appreciate what you're doing and and listening to what Mike just uh McNeely just gave us information on how he feels like services have improved, reporting has improved. So uh I definitely appreciate that and seeing what the actual numbers are too that are or different activities that are being done. It's good. Any other questions? I do not. Thank you very much. Thank you. We appreciate it. All right. Skip, Doug. You did Doug. Sorry, Doug. I scratched you off early, I guess.

All right. Doug Westerfeld, APC. We'll jump back up. Sorry, Leanne. You were up next. Sorry. Well, actually, it's Brian. So, that's true. It's me next.

I just wanted to provide an update on on the comprehensive plan. On April the 30th, Thursday, April 30th, we will be having the um big ideas open house. And this will be open to the public. Um it will be at the EMA training room. Uh we're going to have two sessions. We're going to have a session from noon to 1. Then we're going to have a session from 5 to 6. I should get the uh press release information. that you see today and then I'll forward that information off to all the media outlets and social media outlets so that we can get that information out to the public uh because the more that attends the better our comprehensive plan will be and more than want to want many of the public to be there get there during those two sessions. Um moving forward um there'll be more meetings starting in June but this big ideas open house is a critical part of conference plan. So public to attend that would be fantastic.

So that's all that I had. Yeah, there's there have been discussions in the steering committee meetings about different wording and preferences and things like that that's going to be displayed for folks. Uh and so we want people to be able to come and comment on those uh so that we can take that feedback to the steering committee and report on it. Uh see if there need to be some tweaks that are that's done to the comp plan as we're working through it. Um, we don't have an active draft yet. So, this is part of the input process for for getting to that final product. I was at both those meetings, the the noon meeting and the evening meeting. The last time we had the public

and um the noon meeting was pretty good. The evening meeting, I think we had two people. I I don't know what's the best way to go about getting the word out or getting getting because you said it's important to get the public out to this. I don't know. I don't know know how to get more people involved or get them to understand it's important to have their voices heard in this. I think we can I think we do getting the information out. It's just getting the buy in. Is it just the apathy of just Yeah. I mean we we had help from food. I mean we we had help from the paper from the radio.

I mean I think we advertised it. It just it was just I don't know what it is, but it seems like there is apathy about that. Yeah. I I I don't know if that's the right word to use, but yeah. And and the establishment of the comprehensive plan, and that will eventually lead to the establishment of redefining some of our our ordinances that we presently have. So, it's it's a critical piece. So, yeah, we can get the word out and and we will do we'll use every media outlet that we can to get that out. All right. Thank you, Doug. Thanks, Doug.

Thank you. All right. Joe Kane with the board of works requesting an amendment to our bioolids ordinance. Good morning. Morning, Joe. I agree. A fish fry.

You'd show up, wouldn't you? We're just asking to amend the defos testing ordinance. Um we apply bios twice a year. It just it's a cost pretty costly to the city. We've already spent $3,000 just on the testing, you know, to send you guys. Our results have been, you know, well under the limit and they're pretty been pretty standard. time. So, we were just trying to see if we could get that done once a year. Is the Is the city accepting um RVs, campers to come in and dump waste again?

Okay. And we only accept town um accept tanks, you know, from from Okay. When was it? I know it was here in the last couple years that that had stopped. two years ago. I believe this will be the fourth time I believe that we will have been sending you the information. This will be the second year. We apply in the spring um before they plant and then you know after harvest but but the results have been good like way way under.

So you don't take any out of county sewage at all? No. We and the um the septic callers come in. We require an address where they all this would just be it would cut our cost down in half for a year. My issue when I look at it is I mean if we provide an exception here um where's where do the exceptions stop

um for pretty much anybody that would be potentially applying um and then that completely takes the teeth out of our ordinance if we start providing exceptions um here and there. My inclination would be no. um uh we we put it in so that you have to test. We don't dictate that it's it's x number of times a year. It's only when you apply. Um and so my my gut reaction to this um sitting here when we had passed this is um to deny, but obviously you guys have a say.

I'm not opposed to it. I what I worry about is if it's approved for because because we can guarantee it's not out of county, but then if something changes, how do I you know, how do we stay up on knowing that? I mean, with our we have a bioult through our testing and it is, you know, it's pretty strict what we can and we can't put into the field and we meet all of our requirements and we're well below, you know, all the standards that are set. This, like I said, we're not trying to pull anything over. If you've seen the data, I think your target is 50 and we're at four. Yeah. So, we're eight times, you know, under Yeah.

What what even the requirement is it? It's just like you said, just a call. I I would say and I wasn't here when we passed that PAS ordinance, but we know we know the importance of of eliminating that in our in our system. And I don't know if you can eliminate it, but at least um keeping it as low as possible. And I I'm in the thought of of when you apply, you have to test. I just want to make sure there's not a one-off. there's not a um you know, we're going to miss something

and and uh you know, by an odd chance you apply one year and and there was something in there that we didn't you didn't know about, we didn't know about. And I I just I think it's a smart for us to test every time. And uh and I think it's also helps us with the precedent

of not um missing that on giving somebody else, well, you gave it to Greensburg. Why can't we have that? um that one time do you know where you don't have to test. So I Joe I just I I get what you're saying. I do understand what you're saying but I feel like um we would be remiss as responsible for county representatives that if we didn't test every time you every time you you apply. I think it's just smart business for us. I think when you look at the industry or the businesses that we have here if they change something um it could immediately affect what's flowing downstream to you and then is put out. So that's that's really the part of the reason for me that that's what I worry about. We can't control the change. Yeah.

You know, and we wouldn't know we wouldn't have notific something did change. Y I appreciate you coming though. And thank you for sending the reports. Okay. Fantastic. Yes sir. This is our bio coordinator Randy. Hi Randy. is the unregulated

issued by EPA. The list is updated every two years. The contaminants come and go for that list. I was involved with Columbus 45. This list changes P and P. If that is removed from the next list, will you eliminate the limit for Her County or will you continue to have them test for that even though it's is a drinking water issue? And I understand about issues with the soil and all that, but I'm curious because I've seen several pinnacles come and go from this and I' I've watched spend a lot of money based on the pinnacles coming and going. I was just curious if the next list that comes out if Joe sends that to you and the speed is not on that list will you eliminate

we would we would definitely consider uh potentially discuss any amendment made by the the EPA. It's likely at some point you may not see this because right now this list is based on contaminants that they're aware of. They just do not know what the danger is and how to set. They just don't have enough information to do that. And the last one I've seen of concern was called 14 dioxide and it's coming wrong a couple of times from that and there's been lots of money spent trying to figure out what to do with that.

I and I'll agree with you Randy is there's a lot of chemicals out there we don't even know about. I have no idea. But but this one's a known and this one, you know, the POS. And so we we've got to make sure, you know, and I if it's if it's gone, then it's gone out of that list. Yeah. But but currently it's on the list. Yeah. So I I'll agree with Jeremy as as that if it would be eliminated from the list, then we could we could look at going back and looking at this ordinance. Yeah. I' I'd want to see some of the the commentary uh for the resention of POS off of that designation by the EPA. Um it can be removed and then added back in. That would not be Yeah.

Yeah. Thanks, Joe.

All right. Interlocal agreement. Um, we have an interlocal agreement with the uh city of Greensburg indicator county for the um PAP which is a an acronym for the public safety access point answering point I'm sorry and uh which is basically our 911 dispatch and we've been working I just want to look back this Leanne with Barry Ritter it's been almost over a year now that we've been working on this but um Barry Ritter is a consultant and he's been working with Leanne to try to get this um interlocal agreement uh if approved and we went over several iterations of this and finally came down to um an agreement we all kind of will agree upon the parties um and this has been given to uh the city's attorney it's been given to Chad we've looked over this um there's just a few changes it's similar to what it was prior other than it it it gives out fiscal responsibilities for the county and for the city with the statewide 911 funds and making sure that those funds are dispersed. And then um it's a basic 50/50 split with the city and the county. Um it does talk about that we own the uh dispatch center. So we have um anything that goes there, we take care of

Yeah.

the structure wise, maintenance and so forth. But if there's any kind of type of remodeling or anything that we need to do, addition or buy consoles or whatever, then that would come into a a 50/50 agreement as well. Um, so I' I've given this to you guys. You you've had a chance to look over it. Um, it does change where we have an executive committee and an advisory board. And prior to that, we just had an advisory board. We didn't have an executive committee. So, um, the executive committee consists of the mayor. It consists of one city council member which is Rody King, one county council member which is Ashley Gate, and then one commissioner's representative which is myself. Um, and we don't meet um we meet periodically when there's fiscal concerns or if there's an issue with um employment with an employee. So, um, other than that, the advisory board does most of the managing of this PAP. Um, I think I've covered most of what um, and it's a one-year agreement currently because we, the mayor and I have talked about along with uh, with uh, Dr. King and Ashley about the fiscal responsibilities and how does that play out in the next couple years with the uh Senate Enrollment Act One and and so we decided to do a one-year agreement um and then see where that after one year where where we at with with because some of those statewide funds and some of that may is subject to change, right Liam? We talked about that.

Statewide funds could change but not necessarily. also the local income tax, you know, where does that local income tax I think is mainly what the mayor was kind of looking at. We're concerned about that. So um about changing that um and acting it a little bit differently. So I think you know definitely renewing it and looking at it here in a year to see where monies are coming into play at is a good idea. And you can always just renew the same thing too. Um the problem is that interlocal agreement has stayed that way for so many years and this isn't new. We've had one for

and it's just stayed there and nobody's put eyes on it and it um we've had all these groups and meetings and people involved that it just needed to be convinced. Um the fiscal part of it really just needs to be that that route needs to be met with when the budget happens um and when things happen. It doesn't need to always be meeting um and our the powers to be as far as when we have our 911 meetings that make the decision that needs to be our you know our responders that you know make those decisions. And now we instead of doing quarterly we decided we're going to meet every other month because sometimes we need to meet more frequently than we just worked out. So um uh that new board can't take effect until the interlocal agreement has um been established. So that's the importance of wanting to get this pushed through so we can start having this new board meeting.

And I'm going to present this also tomorrow with the county council because they also need a as a fiscal body of the county to um sign off on it as well. Good deal. So I would I would entertain a motion to agree the the interlocal agreement. I'll make I'll make that motion. I'll second. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed. Motion carries. Then our next 911 meeting is scheduled for May 7th, which at that time, as long as council's in agreement, then we can vote on it and put the new board in place as well. Thank you.

Thank you. Appreciate it. Also, uh just while I'm up here, uh this past week has been uh dispatch appreciation week. So, we have had a

wild week. Wild week. Lots of uh community that has stepped up and just sprinkled a lot of kindness uh to our dispatchers. Um and I've tried to express our appreciation to them. What a great community we have. Um so very thankful for everything that the community has done, dropped off and uh given to our dispatchers. This week has been extremely challenging with a lot of severe emergencies um that has you know given another reason why they do the things that they do and it's not just the dispatchers and all the first responders. So I just wanted to say thank you to everybody. Very good. Thank you.

Thank you. All right, moving on to courthouse maintenance.

Well, we got a an estimate from Tree Centric. And if you'll remember last year, um they came down, Jerome from Tree Centric came down and and uh fertilized the tree, watered watered the tree um through the watering system that is internal. Um because we know that after the courthouse was renovated, the steeple was sealed up. it's not getting the water that it used to get through all the cracks and crevices. So, they put a watering system in internally and and he came down and did that last year and now he's given us an estimate to and you guys have seen the estimate there to um

like pruning um work on the the water. He says that it's not getting the water volume. Yeah. Um, so he needs to put an a pump in there to pump the water from because the water actually comes from the um second floor restroom, women's restroom to get I don't know if that's another 50 or 60 ft up to get to the the tower. So he thinks an inline pump needs to boost water pressure. Um, and then fertilize the tree as well. Correct. So,

the pruning of the tree, he is going to charge $900, but we have to get a a crane service or a service to get him up there to prune the tree. I don't know what that's going to cost. I don't know what we paid previously. Do you know, Patty? Um, they've got the contact in there. He does have the contact for the crane, but I don't It's not cheap.

I don't know what's going to cost. This total estimate as you see in front of you is $3,100. $3,160. Um, that's pruning, that's fertilizing, that's watering, that's um putting the inline pump and doing doing an overall check of the tree, the health of the tree. So, Ken, you mentioned having really good hookups on helicopters. We'll sling load him up and have him dangle there while he's touching. Yeah, that's So, here we are. Yeah. I mean, I think it's something that we got to do. Be a tree city without a tree in our house. What do you think, Bill?

Um, yeah. And so, we can figure out how we're going to get them up there, right? Figure that out. Yes. Yes, we've done it before. So, I would make a motion to move forward with the yearly maintenance of the tree and the installation of the water. This this current one. Yeah. Right. I'll second that motion. All those in favor say I. I. I. And. Those opposed. Motion carries. Yeah.

Okay. Up next on the agenda is fairgrounds project. Um so I wanted to present you guys with some information. Um and then we can have some discussion about where we're going uh with the project. So just quick recap kind of of where we're at on the project. The fairgrounds project is a $4 million uh renovation at the fairgrounds. Um where 1.95 so 1,950,000 came from the state. Um the county was going to initially be responsible for 1.2 million. and the remainder was going to come from uh private monetary donations and inind uh donations from the community. Uh if you all recall last year, probably about this time, uh the state had paused ready funding and the project had pretty much already kicked off. So I had gone to the council, gotten gotten permission to proceed forward using funds out of edit. We kept that project going for the community building uh and then ready funds came available in September, October 25. So the project was able to move forward, but at that point we had already uh funded a little over $2 million out of Cal County funds um to keep the project going. Uh and so now fast forward to where we are. We have uh tiled the track and the horse arena. We have uh completed the renovation uh project and the farm and home bathrooms uh completely renovated and also added HVAC there. Uh the new community building has been completed and we are now moving on towards improving the electrical at the fairgrounds. Um

bathrooms too. I'm sorry. Grandstand bathroom.

Grainstand bathrooms. Yep. And so with the electrical, all of the overhead lines are going to um go underground. It's going to be new phase. Uh pedestals are going to be placed by REMC and then a contractor will then be responsible for getting the electric to the uh actual buildings. Um so it'll be pretty much an overhaul of the electrical infrastructure out there. Uh, and so where we're at right now with the project is we are at $3,671. Uh, and what has been spent on the project so far. Uh, that leaves us uh 328,000. I'll call it 329,000. I'll just round up for a little bit. Um, 329,000 left on the BO. Um, this is where things get a little funny because the county had paid uh above what we were supposed to at the very beginning of the project. Um, the amount that's left on ready is different than the amount that's left on the bot. Um, so it's $519,636.89 left of ready funding from the state. So we have, you know, over a quarter of the funds coming from the state that are available to continue on with the project. The electrical side of the project that's left right now is $470,000. Um, we're also looking at doing improvements to the horse barn for fixing pearlings, posts, the roof. Uh, and putting gutters that drain out to the creek to get more water away from the horse arena. Um, then there's also possibility of landscaping boulders around the um

around the new community building. Uh and so all told with additions that also had to be made to the community building, the high water mark for that is what was it? 870 look.

Yeah. $870,000. So when you look at the five 519 that's left and ready and then we have 870 that is left on this project as a whole. Um we have a majority of the funds that are available through ready. Now, when you go back and you look at the funds that have been generated through the fundraising campaign, um we I'm not going to give an exact number just because we have over a4 million dollars in pledges um that have been made to this project. So, obviously those are contingent on those payments being made throughout the year and you never know with the economy and businesses and individuals if there's a change in in somebody's economic abilities. But we've obtained approximately 600,000 in monetary donations that currently sits with the community foundation. Um we have had inind contributions of $159,714 which is amazing. It's it's unreal. Um the inind work that has been has been provided in this project. So currently the total cash available in the community foundation is $617,63062. So when you combine the over 600,000 of the community foundation with the amount of funds that are available from ready, we have over $1.1 million that's available to uh this project. Uh and so we have the funds to cover um the list of the projects that are left on the community project. This would take the um the total project up to roughly 4.3 million I think is the number.

Um which is above what the original four was. and then we can return the additional funds to the um to the county um that are available as those funds continue to come in through donations and pledges. Pledges. Yep.

So, when you guys are looking at this list here, um the electrical, midway paving, horse barn improvements, landscaping, um any any discussion on those? Don't the only thing that I've um had talked about was, you know, we talked about landscaping. We had had this little bit of discussion when we had talked with um the construction, you know, like, okay, that's a landscaping, $18,000. I'm out of the loop on landscaping. I have no idea what landscaping cost, but after he's talking about almost 300 linear feet of landscaping, I'm like, okay, maybe that's not so bad. I don't know. But um boulders, we talked about gay boulders versus um fence fencing. You know what's And I said, "Well, maybe fencing's cheaper." And he's like, "Well, if you do vinyl fencing, you might need more than that for 300 line." It wasn't 300. It was about 275 lineal feet. Excuse me. Um so I don't know. It it just when I saw that's a rock, you know, how can it $18,000 for rocks? But it isn't. I think the dripping because it's all just seated, you know, that's we got to tear that base out, you know, had

some type of material but decorative rock down, but also the larger rocks if that's the route that we decided to go. That was the only the only thing I looked at, you know, when I those those prices and that's, you know, out of $870,000, it's $18,000. It's it's a minimal amount of that. And we're going to have some type of landscaping or some type of The whole idea was a burm or something from the parking lot of the community building to the road. Um so people aren't driving through there. Um and I know they will, you know, once that is uh seated and grab, you know, they'll cut through it. So to keep them off of that some way. Um

just that was it. That was it for me. My other thought on it is depending on what if anything we do there around the community building um in the road in the parking lot. I'm looking at it from a maintenance standpoint as well. Yeah. Um cuz then you're say you put rock down. We're increasing. You're going to have to walk around with a sprayer. Um cuz eventually your liner is going to get cut or whatever and you're going to have dandelions growing all over. Um or if we we put down just big boulders, you're weed eating around them if you don't have something else below them. Um it's it's more difficult than just running a mower.

Um for me at this price, I would avoid the landscaping. Um I would leave it the way it is now. Um I get driving through it as a concern. There's other areas on that fairgrounds that I mean going all the way down 200, we don't have we don't have a fence or a burm or something that keeps people from just pulling out. Um my inclination right now is we we forget about the landscaping. Um we can address something later. I know if you look down through the sheet that was emailed to us, one of the in kind donations was planners.

We could even place some planters there. Now the issue for me with planners is somebody has to weed them. And I I know how I feel about weeding the the flower pots around my house. U so yeah, I mean same thing. But we do have something that if you wanted a fix that's immediately available that would cost us nothing. We do have the planters that could be placed there. For me, the landscaping is is more of a luxury than I see the rocks as a little bit of a hard stop, too. You know, there's people in the office. You know, there's it's Yes, of course speed shouldn't be an issue, but crazy things happen. That's true. So, I see that. That's my concern. That's why I like the big boulder idea is it it's going to stop a vehicle from, you know, going into the hill potentially.

Yeah, we talked about some post around the electrical panel and they they are doing that and things like that. And it's, you know, to try to protect things, but you know, the the grain vents, it's really close, you know, to to the intersection, too. So that that's the reason I like the rocks. And they are putting the ballards around the um the water tank and also the electrical that's there on the north side. The advantage is we have it in the budget. It's there. Um it if if we eliminate it, will we ever do it? You know, is it is it somewhere down the line? They're like when we get by for this.

Yeah. I like Right now it's it's here. It's in it. We It's Maybe maybe it's the time to do it now and get it done, knock it out. We can keep it in. Uh and obviously I have to go to council tomorrow to discuss the same topic uh since we'll be above the the original $4 million amount. Um

but my my inclination is still that we don't do it. We can leave it in the budget, but I would still lean towards not doing the landscaping right now. Um and then let's discuss the midway paving. Um, it has $200,000 here for Midway Paving. Um, I know I had seen some bids without talking specific numbers. Um, is that something that you guys want to bid out u ourselves as commissioners or do you want to leave that in um in the B? The advantage I think to leaving it out, taking it out and doing the bit ourselves is I think that it could be cheaper um than what we're seeing here. Um what do you guys think?

Well, I I expressed that I felt like we should leave it in there only because it gets it has a um we know for certain that it will be taken care of under the under the B. it'll be managed and engineered and taken care of. Um I don't know the the cost savings um exactly what that would be if we went and if we bid it ourselves. Maybe maybe we'll save um 10 $15,000. I don't know. Is that worth it? Um for us to try to manage that paving and make sure it's done correctly versus um having

who's managing that from the B side. It would it would be Scott. I mean they is that in their wheelhouse? I mean as part of it I mean they're subcontracted it out. So they would make sure that it followed all the guidelines and all the that's the way I understand it. and and if if it um I don't know where it falls in the the sizewise um and how how does that water or manage the water mitigation going to trigger the the water drainage ordinance. Okay. So I know that um uh Barn City would take care of that. Um somebody else

a highway department that can also run tile to adequately for mitigation. I I don't know. Um, we have tile on the hill on the side of the hill there. And I don't know if I've talked about what exactly p the midway paving is here at the commissioner's meeting, have Oh, not in a meeting. Okay. So, um, what it is is we were approached um by lures with a request to pave the midway. Um, and they provided us with a diagram of just a path.

Yeah. Of what it is. is it's basically a big loop and then down by the um OA building there is a larger paved lot and this would allow them to set their rides up in the grass areas with people walking on the paved surfaces so that when you get that guaranteed uh fair week rain in the middle of the afternoon, you aren't dealing with a muddy midway the whole rest of the week. uh it will be uh more ADA accessible than what we have now for wheelchairs and strollers because you're actually going to be on asphalt. Additionally, having this paved area will increase the available parking at the fairgrounds. Uh which is something that with the new community building, we have um had to address or look at how we're going to be able to bring in this number of people to the fair. So, by having more hard surface, we would be able to provide more parking to the community building. So, we're looking at it from a couple different avenues. I think it'd be a major benefit to Power of the Past. It'd be a big benefit to a number of other events that use up the entire fairgrounds out there, uh, that are already setting up along paved surfaces.

So, that's backstory on on that project on the paving part of it. Yeah. Um, I don't have a preference. I see the benefit of both. See the benefit of barns management. I see managing it. I see the benefit of us sending out a bit. Yeah. So I I'm impartial for you have any idea how wide that path will be around.

He just so happens to have that though. One of the hardest read diagrams I've ever seen there though. One of the hardest read diagrams I've ever seen. And will there be speed bumps? It looks like there are sections that are

20 foot. It looks like 20 foot is like the majority of the walkway space there, Bill. Um there are areas that are wider for um different areas. So like where the the food vendors are down towards the OA building. Um that's a wider space it looks like right through there. Um and it looks like when you're on the south side of that building it also gets a little bit wider. So yeah but roughly 20 foot for a majority of

the loop around like in the midway that's about 20 feet I think the width of that Um, I mean, we're we definitely got a better price than initially from um, Barnes on what this was going to be. I think we can still save money. be part of it that if we put this out to bid ourselves, um, we would have to have them ensure that they're working in coordination of the highway department can do the trenching and the tiling work, which I'm sure you can, Tim, um, tap into that line that's already on the hillside.

Yeah. I guess here thinking my biggest question is if they paid that they put anything across the road to run water.

That's been part of the discuss and it ended up being that the like conduits or or boxes were not going to be included because then you're going to have to have um higher costs and additional draining. like if you're putting a box in or you're you're running a a conduit where it's going to be depressed in the ground, um you're going to have more standing water issues. And so the recommendation from the fair committee and then on through discussions um was that they can run their electrical lines over and still use the mats that they had been using. Um but that way we aren't having to deal with more drainage issues, more structural issues. trench trench box or cut that that's the reason I was asking or trench anyway we trenching them locations that's reason I was asking

no we talked about it and um I think one of the fair committee members had actually contacted blowers if uh they were good with that as well and yeah it's one week out of the year let us know let us know what and it's it's one of those things that I think it'll be very usable for us for other events as well and we don't necessarily have to have that type of box or conduit underneath the asphalt. That's not what we're doing. Yeah. So, so it would have to be a requirement that they work with um the highway department and stay in compliance with any uh water drainage ordinance.

If if you if you feel like we're going to do a substantial savings, I would be okay with taking it out of the B if that's if that's the way you're leaning. I mean, I don't know how high at the end of the day when you look at bonds and those kinds of things. I don't know how high it's really going to be as far as a substantial savings. That's my concern. I think the the landscaping is probably a higher savings than what pulling this out of the BO would be. Mhm. Um I think if we cut landscaping, we we more than save for whatever type of markup there may be in the BOT here for paving. Um, so I mean that's it would definitely be a benefit as far as the management as far as the bonding and insurance side that it say

that's so we don't have to increased cost. Um,

you want to stay in? All right. Make a motion to approve this. looking to see if there's anything else on here that I wanted to discuss.

This is the uh amendment from Yeah, they do parts, right? That we need Well, I'm not I won't sign the amendment yet um because I need to get word back from the council.

Okay. on what it is, but on I think it was 417 U either Sandy or Scott at Barnes Construction had sent us the um latest amendment on that fee schedule. And just so everybody's clear on it, all of these numbers are max numbers. Um there are several areas that we believe are actually going to come in under, but they are max numbers. There is a $50,000 contingency in there as well that could be that can also be eliminated. eliminated as well. Right. Right.

So once I go to council tomorrow, uh we'll know more about where we're going. Um but our recommendations are going to be that we move forward with authorizing this fee schedule and we can decide whether or not we're going to do individual projects later. Is that correct? That's going to be our recommendation to the consult. Yes, that's that's what I would assume. Yes. Could your company not freaking steal that instead of ask that? Maybe that would be a cost savings. It's possible. Um just asking.

I think part of it is just the size of some of the equipment and long-term productivity of it. Yeah, that was one of the discussions that had been brought up.

Anything else? We'll um wait to hear about some work from the council, right? Yeah. Okay. All right. Park board appointment. Second, swing at it. Um, we' become aware after the last meeting that our appointee had moved out of the county very very recently. Uh, and I think we all would prefer to have a board appointment that lives in Decar County. Uh, so here we are for round two. So we had a total of three individuals that were uh interested in being the county's representative on the park board. That's correct.

First time. Uh, so we have two remaining. So, this is something too. We can open it back up, right? Yeah. Would you rather do that, Gabe? Well, just to make sure that those folks are a still interested um and that would be my preference. We'll do it at the next meeting. I'm agree with that. Yeah, that works. Open it back up for uh anybody's interest or if the folks that have put in previously are still interested, please let us know that. I like that. That works. All right. Anything else from you guys? Um, no, I don't have anything.

Project still chugging along. Um, we recently hit uh I don't have the exact numbers in my book, but uh 4.2 a little over 4.2 million funds raised out of the 4.5. So, we're about 274,000 last time I checked short of being uh completely having all the funds raised. um to throughout the community. So, we did send uh 120 letters out to any to all businesses that had not uh donated anything to it um immediately. We received a a $5,000 check, $1,000 check a day or two later. And so, so things are still chugging along. Still pretty hopeful that we can raise the entirety of those funds. Progress construction's full underway. Still looking at the June time time frame. still looking at June 1st.

June.

I will say that I I did did have an an engineer look at the um the armory, the parts department building. um just do a uh we had some concerns about the stability of the building with some foundation issues and um had Nathan Msley come and look at that a building in structural engineer and his overall assessment of the building is it is safe. It is not um there's there are some issues with some floor joists and some minor things that need to be some repairs, some repairs around the the outside of the foundation, but overall the stability of the building is structurally sound. It is safe. Um, that was my big concern, you know, I, you know, of of a collapse or a wall moving out or something and having a major issue with the building um being undermined by water and flooding from previous events. But his his he's going to give us a a full draft, but the verbal so far from what he's he's shown or he's seen is that the building is structurally safe. Um, are there some things need to be taken care of? Yes. And so that'll be decided later from us. you know what we want to do with that building, but um building is structurally safe.

That's good to know. Do we want to go ahead and get some of the floor joist and stuff taken care of? Well, that's something that we we need to decide, you know, moving forward. you know, where do we I haven't been over there to see it myself, but I've heard there was some past um fixes that may not be as optimal or and as I walk through with the there are a few floor voices that have some issues that need to be repaired. Um yeah, it it's it can it can become a money pit.

You know, how much money do you want to put into it? Um, so that's the decisions I think that we um should probably all go take a look at it and see what we want to do moving forward how we want to proceed with that building. Um, so I don't know if it's not something that needs to be done immediately, but I do think, you know, we'll have to decide here soon. Do we want to what do we want to do with that building? I mean, it's good to hear that the wall hasn't displaced more than it already was before. So that's very good. And and actually the wall has never displaced. I thought it said out where you could actually get there was verbiage that has said that but there is a crack in the foundation. Okay.

But it is none of the the actual wall and this would be the north wall has not moved um at all. But there is a crack in the foundation that needs to be looked at and and maybe fixed. But it has not moved. It is not heaved. It hasn't sunk. M um so good that's his his recommendation his his visual look at it that he thinks it's there there some we're going to have to put some money into it don't don't get me wrong there but it structurally it's okay fantastic Chris anything from the parks department report right now Brian EDC

uh ready two we're at 40% state as far as dispersment part big part of it was what Jerry talked about those projects. Um council is going to be reviewing uh the establishment of an RRA district uh over in St. involved in energy project something that's been uh for about three years now I mean that's going to be completely on the Rex pipeline property new property no annexation so zoning anything uh just attached to existing personal property investment other than that just kind of entertain and manage new projects to maybe come for you So that is a heat capture.

Heat capture. They capture they're capturing the heat off the existing pumps which was just going off and just dissipating. They capture that heat off the pipeline natural gas pumps uh which turns the turbine and it'll be able to generate up to 10 megawatts of electric back. Doug, anything from him? Anything else? Ken, sure. I know we didn't get to you last time, so

Nope, that's okay. Last meeting was a long meeting. I just got a couple things. Uh, so, um, I hired in last year in May and so this is almost completion of my one year part-time full-time as your BSO. And I just want to give you a little bit of an update. So since that time, I have personally talked to um and inputed into our system at at least 189 to 200 veterans that have come into my office and that I have personally worked with. Um and uh and there's been others where they come in and just had information or something like that that they wanted um and phone calls, but personally have touched at least 200 veterans records and worked on getting them their benefits uh that uh they they are entitled to for being veterans. Uh so that's pretty cool uh to see that and so thank you for giving me that opportunity to be able to do that for our veterans in our community. Um and I've seen some good stuff and I've seen some bad stuff. Uh the last couple weeks have been sort of a good week but bad week because I've had some veterans some some surviving spouses come in that because their veteran never did anything with the VA they had no benefits. And that breaks my heart to sit in front of a surviving spouse and say, "I can't help you."

Um because your husband didn't do anything. So getting the word out to these veterans to come and see me, just let me sit there and talk to them and try to figure out what we can do for them is huge. um especially a surviving spouse that maybe is in their 70s and this may have been just the extra money that they needed to be able to help get them through um by living alone uh now. So, um but I appreciate that and that's just a little bit of information for you uh for me. Um, the next big thing uh coming up and I've talked with Christy and her team about the new Indiana veteran property tax reform that's coming out. If you haven't had a chance to see this or you don't know what it is, it's brand new. Uh, we're going from a property tax deduction to a property tax credit. And at one time there was an assessed value on your property is so any veterans that had a property I think is assessed at $240,000 and above was not eligible for this. But now they've eliminated that and so all veterans will be. Um, the kicker to this, and I'm sort of happy but going, "Oh my, this may be crazy." Is that every veteran, even if they have this tax deduction already, uh, has to come in and redo. They have to come to my office. Every veteran, every surviving spouse has to come back in and redo the entire form. It's not automatic. So, um, that could be crazy in my office. uh between July and December of this year. Um and so we're trying to get the word out. How do I get the word out? Yeah.

Um and so we're trying to figure that out. Is it a mass mailing? Is it just to the property owners? Is it to everybody? I my preference would be to every household just because I can hit veterans that may not know that my office exists uh within our county and hopefully get more veterans in, but I also know that that's going to be a mad rush of people coming into my office um for a oneman show, which is okay. It'll be fine. Um but this is this is huge and I and the c and the state is still working on the forms. They haven't got an answer on us yet. Um, I've got a meeting on Wednesday, uh, a quarterly meeting with my district officer and we're going to talk about it. We also have a meeting in June, uh, for a whole training for all the VSOs, uh, across the state. We'll be talking about it then, but, we're still waiting for further guidance from the state and the forms that they're going to be using. So, um, and I've already had people calling me for this and I've actually turned away veterans who's wanting to fill out for their property tax just because I I'm going to do it again. So, no sense in you coming in and doing it. Um, and so I think that's what I even told the girls over there is, hey, just I wouldn't process anymore because we're going to redo them all and it'll be okay.

Is that renewal yearly or is it just because of this new law? I think it's because of the new law. Okay. Um, so once they do it this time, they shouldn't have to do it until there's another change. Until there's another change is is my understanding on it. Um, so it it's going to be a pretty big uh adventure and and timeconuming to get it all done. It's not hard, but it's still just something that we have to do for every veteran and every surviving spouse that might be out there. So, um,

but it'll be okay. Um, but I again I just want to give you an update and appreciate the support that you guys are giving and and everyone in the county of sending veterans and referring them and giving my business cards out so they can come to me because it's it's a it's great to see these veterans finally getting not only these benefits but it's helping them and their surviving spouse. Awesome. You're doing fantastic. Thank you. Thank you, Sheriff. And just real quick, I shot you an email late last week. We tested all the push button paint last Oh yes week. Yes.

Did that have one malfunction. They came in and repaired it. They suggested probably time to look at replacing that. It's 20 years old. So we'll dial up information like it and maybe get some quotes. See what it would take to upgrade. I think we should. I think so. Yeah. Okay. I'll do that. Anything else? No. Anything else? Mike, anything else? Anything else? Janet Trisha. Anything? Um, we just have early voting going on right now. So, anybody wants to come out and vote, we're over DNX for about two more weeks. And then this Saturday from 8 to 3, we'll be in Westport Community Building. And the following Saturday, 8 to 3.

And where can they find those Saturday uh voting locations? Get online. I know. Just in case you didn't get picked up by the microphone. county website has any of the uh polling locations for somebody to come in and vote. You can also call the office. Yeah. Okay. Very good. I would like to thank Charlie Davis for helping me set up early voting. He was amazing help and also Gary and Mike, they've both been very helpful to my workers and making them feel at home. So, I just want to bring that to your guys' attention that we do appreciate all of them for helping us.

Thank you. We appreciate Charlie too. Charlie's been huge. It's been really great to have him around. Good. How is your progress of your painting, floor, all that going? So, he's still in progress. Obviously, he gets pulled different directions. So, it's in progress, but it's it's going. Okay. Good. Flooring gets put down mid May. So, okay. He's hoping to get painting done before mid. All right. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you, Brenda. How are things in the shelter? Uh, tails are wagging, lots of meows. Actually, we're short on cats at this point in time. We're waiting on the kitten wave to start. Last year didn't start until June, but

checking on it a little bit, but no, we're we're anticipating for joining us. What is the update on the cattle? That was I saw that we just paid um Pete Dylan amount for the month. Yes. So that would have been for his March fee, right? Um at this point in time, we have lost two. Okay. We have gained one. Um body scores uh continue to improve. Um we're just waiting on final actions to occur so we can so that one out.

What do we look at moving forward? like what is a final what what is the what's the end goal here is to give those cattle back to sell the cattle to what is what is an end game here for us. So as we stand uh the owner has continued to pay the care bond uh which prohibits his position of the cabin. Uh I believe the next one probably is due in the next month or so. Um, while all that is going on, the prosecutor's office did file criminal charges against him. Oh, okay.

Uh, which are pending currently set for trial early May for normal course. I would expect that to get bumped at least once. Um, so as the care keeps posting, we maintain them and that gives us an income stream to pay for the care. Uh, as part of the criminal case, the statute allows for part of the disposition to be a not allowed to own these animals anymore and or b not be allowed to own any animal uh subject to the discretion of the court and possible settlement discussions that are going on between them at the moment. So, terms of that, it's not entirely in our hands. It's unknown depending the outcome of the criminal case. Um if the care bond ever fails to be posted um so like I think it's within this next week or so it's probably due again. Uh there's a window of time we have to allow then we can move to disposition uh get them off the books and then we would just sit on any potential proceeds until criminal cases resolved again. So it kind of multirrons going on right now and a lot of waiting and seeing.

Okay. So is is this carving is it enough to cover what we're paying? Uh it was calculated based upon the per head per day rate we were given uh estimated at 60 or 65 head. I forget what I used. So it's essentially meant to be exactly what the day-to-day care bond is. The first one was significantly higher to account for early uh medical treatment and care that we knew would be necessary and the transportation costs that we knew we would incur. But now we've leveled out to a pure

and if there's any coming we can reimburse ourselves if they go to sale. Very good. Thank you. Anything else from shelter Christie? Anything at the auditor's office? No, not at this time. Good. Taxes are coming in. Um, it would have been nice if timing could have been a little better with the veterans. We could have sent out that with our tax bills, but it just didn't coordinate. So, yeah, we will look at doing the mass mailing according to whenever Ken gets information.

All right. There's nothing else. I'll entertain a motion to recess. So moved. We are