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Home My WebLink About2-17-2026 GC Commissioner Meeting MinutesGibson County Board of Commissioners Regular Session February 17, 2026, at Southwest Annex Commissioner Montgomery led the prayer, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioners present: •Nick Bums, President •Chuck Lewis, Vice-President •Kenneth Montgomery, Commissioner Meeting Minutes •February 3, 2026 minutes Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to approve minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion carried 3-0. Approval of Claims Commissioner Lewis made a motion to approve claims, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion carried 3-0. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriff's Department-Sheriff Vanoven •Staffing Report o Deputies have one opening; they are assessing potential employees on Friday. o Communication Department has an opening. o Community Corrections has one opening; they will interview for the position later this week. o Correction Department has openings. Health Department Presented by Director Ellsworth •January reports were presented to Commissioners; there were no questions. •The state will be at their office to go over their health plan; she encouraged Commissioners to attend. Animal Services Presented by Sharon Werne •They hope to start utilizing the new building in May. •The building they currently reside in has a non-stop water leak; they must keep the water off unless they need water. They feel they will have to tear up concrete to fix the water leak. •The Community stepped up during the recent winter storm and fostered seventeen dogs that would have been left unsheltered. •They are currently overcrowded with 50+dogs and 70+cats. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Presented by AJ Aldridge •January reports were presented to Commissioners; there were no questions. •They are fully staffed. •Dr. Gilbert has hired five pait-time employees. •EMS has received one new ambulance; they expect another to be delivered this summer. Highway Department Presented by County Engineer Holden •Thanked everyone for their help during the recent winter stonn. Gibson County Commissioners February 17, 2026 1 •Crack/seal machine will be here in March. They will do a spring & fall cycle on this road maintenance. •They expect a chip box to be delivered this week; a distributor truck will be delivered before chip/seal season; and an excavator will be delivered in May. OLD BUSINESS Old Jail Demolition Project Update -Owner's Representative George Ballard •RFP specifications are advertising; proposals are due March 16th • Bridge #74 Final Inspection and Acceptance -Presented by Engineer Holden •Final inspection was completed in January on this federal bridge project. Commissioners' signature was requested so final paperwork could be sent to INDOT. Preliminary Approval of Policies in Employee Handbook Pages 1-10 •Attorney Spindler explained this was introduced at the last meeting. Commissioners can act on these tonight or adopt the first twenty pages at the next meeting. These pages are put online and emailed to department heads so they can review the policies. Attorney Spindler has heard no objections on the first ten pages. If they approve the first ten pages tonight and feel an adjustment is needed, they can make the adjustment later. Commissioner Lewis motioned to move forward with preliminary approval, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Introduction of Numbered Employee Handbook Policies on pages 11-20 •115 -Lactation Accommodations -p. 11 •116-JobPosting-p. 11 •201 -Employment Categories-p. 12 •202 -Access to Personnel Files -p. 13 •203 -Employment Reference Checks -p. 14 •204-Personnel Data Changes-p. 14 •205 -Probationary Period -p. 14 •206 -Seniority -p. 15 •208 -Falsification of Employment Applications -p. 17 •214-Medical Information Privacy-p. 17 •216 -Social Security Number Policy-p. 20 No action is required on this section currently. Internet at New EMS Building-Presented by Commissioner Lewis EMS has internet issues at the new building. The original quote was incotTect. They have TIF project money remaining, but the new quote shows there will be a shortfall. Commissioner Lewis requested permission to approach the Council and request funding from LIT public safety to pay for this shortfall. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve Commissioner Lewis requesting this additional funding, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The vote was 3-0. NEW BUSINESS Approve Opioid Grant Monies -Presented by David Doughty (Opioid Board) •Restricted Opioid Fund only had one request from the Sheriffs Department. o Awarded Pathways to Freedom $66,065.12. This program helps incarcerated people transition into society. Gibson County Commissioners February 17, 2026 2 Fund 1237 •Unrestricted Funds had five requests. o Awarded Animal Services $16,000 to assist incarcerated people with the care of their animals while incarcerated or receiving treatment after being incarcerated. o Awarded Addiction Solutions for Men $15,000 to add five more showers to their facility. o Awarded Spindler Law $500 for legal assistance provided to the opioid board. •Total Unrestricted Opioid Funds awarded: $31,500. •Total Restricted Opioid Funds awarded $66,065.12. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the opioid awards, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Resolution 2026-3 (DNR appointment) Presented by Attorney Spindler •William Knowles, Owensville has been appointed in the past to the Wabash Heritage Corridor Commission; he is willing to continue to serve as the appointee. This is a 2-year appointment. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve this appointment, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Highway Department Equipment Bids -Engineer Holden •They wish to get rid of their old equipment and other counties have shown interest. •He requested permission to solicit sealed bids from other counties. •A reserve bid of $85,000 will be set for each piece of equipment. •Indiana Code allows the selling of equipment to other counties. Commissioner Lewis motioned to allow Engineer Holden to move forward with this process, seconded by Commissioner Montgome1y. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. POA for Narcotics -EMS Director AJ Aldredge •AJ Aldredge requests permission to sign as POA on behalf of the EMS. •They are transitioning over to a DEA license, which requires the POA paperwork. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the EMS to move forward with this process, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Bid Opening for Assessor's Cyclical Reassessment-Presented by Assessor Beadle/Attorney Spindler •One bid was received from Tyler Technologies in the amount of $112,800.00. •This company will assist in assessing the businesses and industrial properties, and appeals. This bid is similar to prior years. Assessor Beadle is satisfied with this bid and requested that Commissioners approve the bid. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the assessor's request to approve the bid, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Medical Leaves Commissioner Montgome1y motioned to approve the medical leaves, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Public Comments Gibson County Chamber of Commerce, Patty Vanoven •The Chamber Foundation will have an events meeting tomorrow at eleven at the Chamber office. Proceeds from the events will assist in funding the scholarship. Gibson County Commissioners February 17, 2026 3 Fund 1238 •The Farm Bureau Ag Day Breakfast at the Knights of St. John will be on March 14th beginning at 6 a.m.; The political forum will begin at 8 a.m. Speakers must register at the Chamber prior to the event. •Golf Scramble scholarship event will be held on May 8 th • Adjournment Commissioner Montgomery motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Meeting Minutes February 17, 2026 Nick Bums, President Kenneth Montgomery, Commissioner ATTEST: Mike Watkins, Auditor Chuck Lewis, Vice President \\'"'""''',,\' GIBS ,,,, ,''o�··· .. ··•·91' ,,, �--/...;. .. ·· ··. o-::. ... �-·•o' ·o. . -¥ ::;f S �AL \c� -4.. C .:Z-; ... ........., : ":. ·.. .· � � ;, ·.. ..•· ........ ,, /-110•• .. ··· , .. ,,,,,, IAN� \,,,' ''''""'''' Gibson County Commissioners February 17, 2026 4