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Home My WebLink About2-3-2026 GC Commissioner Meeting MinutesGibson County Board of Commissioners Regular Session February 03, 2026, at Southwest Annex Commissioner Montgomery led the prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners present: • Nick Burns, President • Chuck Lewis, Vice -President • Kenneth Montgomery, Commissioner Meeting Minutes • January 20, 2026 minutes were presented. Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to approve minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion carried 3-0. Approval of Claims Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to approve claims, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion carried 3-0. Clerk/Treasurer Reports were acknowledged by Commissioners DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriffs Department — Sheriff Vanoven • Staffing Report o Deputies have one opening. o Communications Department has four openings. o Community Corrections has one opening. o Corrections positions have four openings. There was an average of 109 in the detention center. OLD BUSINESS Old Jail Demolition Project Update — Owner's Representative George Ballard • Three I Engineering continues to work on a plan to remove the old jail. o Owners Representative Ballard suggests that Garmong be the construction manager of this project. o Commissioner Lewis asked Garmong if there was an estimated cost for the construction manager contract. o Joe Mattingly of Garmong explained the contract would be a percentage -based fee. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve Garmong as the construction manager for demolition of old jail, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. Update on John Ford/Thompson Road Study —Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • This is a rural road and hilly terrain with obstructed views, especially during the summer when crops are growing. • The study recommended installation of a 4-way stop sign at the intersecting roads plus other warning signs. Gibson County Commissioners February 03, 2026 Commissioner Montgomery motioned to make this a 4-way stop, seconded by commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Expenditure of ARPA Funds — Presented by Juli Ellsworth • The Health Dept has $400,000 earmarked for anew building and this money must be spent by the end of 2026. o Recommend purchase of the ARC building on 421 S. Main street ■ Building will provide 11,104 square feet of indoor space, and 24,000 square feet of parking space. She feels this space is adequate. ■ The building cost is $550,000; the health department has $497,000 available; ARC is willing to work with the County on this price. ■ ARC will have to occupy this building for another 12-16 months as they await their new building. • She requests permission to negotiate with the ARC and move forward with the purchase of this building. o Commissioner Montgomery is hesitant about the flat roof. o Commissioner Lewis and Julie have reviewed the building. o The building has twelve rooftop heating/air units, of which eight have been replaced. o A professional inspection will be conducted, which should reveal the longevity of the roof. o There will be needed repairs, but overall, they feel the building is move -in -ready. o She feels this will save the county money over the construction of a new building. Commissioner Lewis motioned to allow the Health Department to proceed with negotiations and move forward with purchase of the existing ARC building on south Main Street, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. Employee Handbook Pages 1-10 - Presented by Jason Spindler • Attorney Spindler explained this is a large document they will systematically approve over the next few months. • Today, he asked that they take this section under advisement and then they will do preliminary approval of this section at the next meeting. • He will also introduce the next section of the handbook at the next meeting. • The handbook will be posted on the website. • Noteworthy changes — hierarchy regarding contracts, SOPS, federal & state laws, etc. which takes precedence or priority over another rule or regulation. • No action is needed today. • Sections presented today include the following list: 040 Introductory Statements — p.1 060 Taxpayer Relations — p. 1 100 Nature of Employment — p. 2 101 Management Rights — p. 4 102 Employee Relations — p. 5 103 Equal Employment Opportunity — p. 5 104 Business Ethics and Conduct — p. 5 105 Nepotism in the Workplace — p. 6 106 Employee Medical Examinations — p. 7 107 Immigration Law Compliance — p. 7 108 Conflicts of Interest — p. 8 110 Outside Employment p. 9 112 Non -Disclosure — p. 9 114 Disability Accommodations — p. 10 Gibson County Commissioners February 03, 2026 2 NEW BUSINESS Resolution 2026-02 for Electronic Property Tax Statements — Presented by Treasurer O'Neal • Currently they rely on US Post Office to deliver these tax statements. • They would like to offer an e-mailed version of the statement to property owners. • The property owner must agree with this electronic option. • This is the first step and most likely will not be fully implemented during this year's statement mailing. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve this resolution, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Bid Opening for Highway Department (Paving of Perimeter Roads around Toyota & Encompasses the CCMG & TIF Money — Presented by Attorney Spindler • E&B Paving, Evansville $2,458,457.15 • JH Rudolph, Tell City $2,144,725.25 • Attorney Spindler recommends that low bid be accepted, contingent upon review by Attorney and County Engineer Holden. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the low bid with the above contingency, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Approval of HR & an IT Director Job Descriptions - Presented by Attorney Spindler • Attorney Spindler prepared both job descriptions. This is step one on moving these items forward. Commissioner Lewis motioned to move forward with both job descriptions, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Medical/Leaves Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the medical leave, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Public Comments Mark Fehrenbacher commented on the recent State of Emergency Order. o He feels Nixel is a very good service that needs to be promoted. o He wonders if the County would consider adding a link to the Department of Homeland Security website to their future notices. o He felt there was a lot of sightseeing during the State of Emergency. He feels the notice should include sightseeing is not allowed. o He also feels that rescue & recovery should be added to notice so farmers can help clear streets. o Commissioners thanked everyone that participated in this State of Emergency Order. EMA suggested adding the travel advisory app from the state of Indiana. • Julie Loer from Soil/Water Conservation District invited everyone to their Annual Meeting on 2/17/25. Doors open at 5p.m. for a 5:30 dinner. Pre -registration cost is $5; On -site registration cost is $7. Adjournment Commissioner Montgomery motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Gibson County Commissioners February 03, 2026 3 Meeting Minutes February 03, 2026 Nick Burns, President /)24 _, J, a�Clt I ATTEST: Mike Watkins, �•� G1.......... � s � �- L 'I /IV N� `o fflll`er //°/ll\\\\ Gibson County Commissioners February 03, 2026 � t k,' Chuck Lewis, Vice President