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Home My WebLink About6-2-2026 GC Commissioners Meeting MinutesGibson County Board of Commissioners Regular Session June 02, 2026 at the 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 — May 19, 2026 Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to approve minutes, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion carried 2-0, Commissioner Burns abstained from voting as he was absent. Approval of Claims Commissioner Montgomery made a motion to approve claims, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners acknowledged Treasurer / Clerk Reports. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriff s Department — Presented by Chief Deputy Ballard • Staffmg Report o Deputies have no openings after they swear in a new deputy this week. o Communication Department has no openings. o Community Corrections has one opening. o Corrections positions have three openings. There was an average of 99 in the detention center. • They began anew juvenile monitoring program in which they have enrolled three juveniles. • This program runs through Community Corrections. Highway Department - Presented by Engineer Holden • They are working on crack/sealing roads. • Toyota grant project has begun; they are starting with dirt work. • County paving will be done after Toyota's week-long shutdown. • Bridge #73 will have a bid letting in September; this is a federal aid project in which the county is reimbursed 80% of the expense. • Highway department office expansion is in process. • They hope to get two bridge deck projects out. • They plan to chip/seal as soon as the distributor truck is delivered. • The CAT excavator is expected to deliver in July, while the mini excavator is not expected for another 5-6 weeks. • They are spraying weeds and vegetation and will start spraying bridges after that. OLD BUSINESS Gibson County Commissioners June 02, 2026 Old Jail Demolition Project Update — Owner's Representative George Ballard • Last Thursday, Garmong opened bids for the demolition project; they will compile the numbers on a spreadsheet before they bring it to the next meeting. • City of Princeton has agreed to allow road closings for this demolition. They think the road closures will last approximately six months. Approval of Numbered Policies on pages 61-70 of Employee Handbook - Presented by Attorney Spindler • Attorney Spindler briefed the Commissioners on the policies he is requesting preliminary approval on. Commissioner Lewis motioned to preliminarily approve these pages of the employee handbook, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Introduction of Numbered Policies on pages 71-80 of Employee Handbook — Presented by Attorney Spindler • Attorney Spindler introduced the policies on these pages but did not request action on this matter. NEW BUSINESS Parrish Consulting Security of County Computers — Presented by Kyle Wallace and Jackson Cox • An estimate was given to update security on wireless access devices that are no longer getting manufacturer updates. There are 13 wireless access device points identified on the $11,639.29 estimate. Commissioners suggested they review the list to see if there are any more that need upgrades. • This is a layer of protection at the access point, and they are subject to hackers and need protection. Commissioner Lewis motioned to table this project, pending a follow-up report, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. EMS Base • This project is being engineered, and they hope to finish the project in a month or two. Fourth of July Gazebo Display & Resolution — Presented by Mark Fehrenbacher • They wish to display an exhibit at the Gazebo, similar to last year's display. • It will be set up on Thursday and taken down on July 6'. • They request permission to set up a boom box to play patriotic music on a continuous loop. Mr. Fehrenbacher will talk to Mayor Wright about the sound. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve this display, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Resolution Proclaiming Gibson County Founding Day — Presented by Mark Fehrenbacher • The 1925 Statute celebrates Indiana Statehood, and he would like a resolution so school children can participate in essay writing contests. • The State will provide a theme for these contests. • He requests that the county adopt a theme at the county level, which will allow another chance for children to win prizes. • He requests that Commissioner start the resolution and work on details in the Spring. • Attorney Spindler does not feel the resolution will obligate the county. • Indiana students study Indiana history in the fourth grade. • The State has a brochure on their website. Gibson County Commissioners June 02, 2026 2 • Commissioner Burns is concerned about how this will be monitored and marketed at a local level. He feels the County needs more details. • Mr. Fehrenbacher insists this will not cost the county any tax dollars. • Attorney Spindler says the resolution does not lock the County into any commitments. Commissioner Lewis motioned to adopt the resolution proclaiming Gibson County Founding Day on April 1" 1813, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. Mr. Fehrenbacher presented some pictures & a book on General John Gibson to display at the courthouse to go along with the resolution. Medical Leaves (3) Commissioner Montgomery 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 • Tonight, at Princeton High School, INDOT will discuss the Broadway Road Project from 5-7. • Ribbon cuttings • Monday June 22 at 10 a.m. for River Valley Chiropractic ■ June 27t' at 10 a.m. for CHI Realty on the Courthouse Square • August 6-7, 2026 there will be a Global Leadership Summitt. • July 4t' Parade to celebrate Independence Day, which will be first day of the fair with a free gate and fireworks. Randy Hall, Francisco • He feels Oakland City is getting in bad shape. He feels everyone needs to step up and help them out. Commissioner Burns says the town is stepping up, cleaning, and mowing grass. Commissioners suggested if they would have a cleanup day, some deals could be reached to assist. • He feels there is a lot of illegal dumping from people outside this county. • The Soil & Water District is working on getting a grant to assist with this type of cleanup. Larry Michel, Ft. Branch • Mr. Michel told Commissioners that he represents the taxpayers of Gibson County. • They do not feel there is enough work being done to communicate between Toyota, the Commissioners, and the Council. • He feels Toyota needs to step up and pay for their own infrastructure improvements. • He feels this is a win for Toyota as it would keep tax rates down for citizens and Toyota. • He feels the bad publicity could go away and everyone could live in harmony while improving Toyota's image. Mark Fehrenbacher, Ft. Branch • He wondered if trail cameras could be set up to try and identify the illegal dumpers. Adjournment Commissioner Montgomery motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Gibson County Commissioners June 02, 2026 3 Meeting Minutes June 2, 2026 Nick Burns, President enneth Montgomery-,- /,76-mrns5iAer Chuck Lewis, Vice President ATTEST: Mike Watkins Auditor ,�� , �S®N ♦�•, Ins Gibson County Commissioners June 02, 2026