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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5-6-2026 GC Commissioner Meeting MinutesGibson County Board of Commissioners Regular Session May 6, 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 • April 21, 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. DEPARTMENT REPORTS EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Presented by AJ Aldridge • The monthly report of collections and run volume was presented to Commissioners. • May 17-23 will be EMS Week. Sheriffs Department — Sheriff Vanoven • Staffing Report o Deputies have one opening. o Communication Department has no openings. o Community Corrections has one opening. o Corrections positions have four openings. There was an average of 104 in the detention center. OLD BUSINESS Old Jail Demolition Project Update — Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • A meeting was held recently as they prepare to send out demolition bid packages. Approval of Number Policies on pages 41-50 of Employee Handbook - Presented by Attorney Spindler Commissioner Lewis motioned to preliminarily approve the above -named pages, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Introduction of Number Policies on pages 51-60 of the Employ Handbook — Presented by Attorney Spindler • No action is needed on this introduction. Gibson County Commissioners May 06, 2026 NEW BUSINESS Road Use Agreement (RUA) for CR 450E, 100N, & 350E — Presented by Ed Hartzburge of Peabody Coal • Mr. Harzburge explained that this is an extension of CR 450 E and is the same road use agreement as before and the bond is $200,000 per mile. Commissioner Montgomery and Engineer Holden have reviewed and feel that everything is ready for the Commissioners approval. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve the road use agreement extension, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Ride Solutions Request Money for 2027 — Presented by Beth Browning • Ride Solutions request $6,000 for the 2027 operating budget. • Commissioners asked them to attend the City/Town meetings to try and get their monetary support. • Commissioner Lewis wondered if the County could help them by allowing them to fuel vehicles through the highway department and then they could reimburse the highway department for the fuel received. The fuel is bid twice per year, and he feels this could save them money. Commissioner Lewis motioned to offer them the opportunity to purchase fuel through the county highway department during operating hours and beginning on June 1 st, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Commissioner Lewis motioned to make a 2027 contribution of $5,000, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Foster Care Awareness Month — Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • Chairman and Sheriff Vanoven explained that everyone should wear blue through the month of May to show support of foster care. Highway Department Equipment Purchase — Presented by Engineer Holden • The new chip box equipment has arrived. • Dubois County Highway Department paid $105,001 for the old chip box. • He would like to trade in a piece of equipment to get a new Bobcat E60 mini excavator plus a trailer. • He will use Sourcewell pricing to make the purchase and the sale of the old chip box will cover the cost. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve these purchases, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Dormant Fund 4013 I-69 Project — Presented by V Deputy, Kristy York • This fund has a balance of $1900 but has been dormant since 2014. • Request permission to allow the RDC to use this $1900 on engineering fees. • After the balance of the fund is exhausted, request permission to close the fund. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve the RDC's use of this fund and closure of the fund, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Subdivision Review Committee Exemption Resolution 2026-06 & Application — Presented by Attorney Spindler • After working with the Committee on this resolution, Attorney Spindler request approval from the Commissioners on this resolution and new application. • If a property owner needs an exemption, they will have to complete an application. Gibson County Commissioners May 06, 2026 2 Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve this resolution 2026-06 & application, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Appointment for Redevelopment Board — Presented by Attorney Spindler • The Commissioners have three appointments to the Redevelopment Board. • One of their appointments is Larry Michel and they wish to replace him with Kix Freudenberg. • Commissioners extended their gratitude for Mr. Michel's service on this board. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to replace Mr. Michel with Mr. Freudenberg, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Medical/Personal Leaves Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve leaves, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Public Comments Roy Lynch • Mr. Lynch asked why Larry Michel was removed from RDC. • Attorney Spindler explained the appointee serves at the discretion of the Commissioners. Lisa Dunkel • Ms. Dunkel, who lives on CR 175 E, asked whether there is a timeline for addressing the traffic issues. • Engineer Holden explained the process and explained the Sheriff's office will hand off their recommendations to the highway department and then they will work together at the intersection to come up with a solution. Commissioner Lewis explained that all information is data driven. • Commissioner Lewis explained that speed is a problem county -wide and it has people's attention. • Ms. Dunkel and her brother have purchased some signs that will be installed to try and get people's attention. Larry Michel • Mr. Michel is unsure why the Commissioners are replacing him on the redevelopment board as he felt he had helped save the county money. • He feels if the confirmatory resolution for the new TIF district is passed, it will cost people in this county a good amount of money. • He feels it is dangerous to have a TIF for the next 25 years. Adjournment Commissioner Montgomery motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Meeting Minutes May 06, 2026 Nick Burns ' nt Kenneth Mont g , cjro sinner ATTEST: Mike Watkins, Auditor Chuck Lewis, Vice President Gibson County Commissioners May 06, 2026 3