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Home My WebLink About6-9-2026 GC Council Meeting MinutesGibson County Council Regular Session Meeting June 09, 2026 at Southwest Annex Council members present: • President Jeremy Overton • Vice President Derek McGraw • Council Member Jay Riley • Council Member Craig Schafer • Council Member Robert Schleter • Council Member Michael Stilwell • New Council Member Tom Perry Also, present were: • Auditor Mike Watkins • lst Deputy Auditor Kristy York • 2nd Deputy Auditor Logan Vickers Pledge of Allegiance • The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Council Member Hannah Whitehead's Resignation - Presented by Auditor Watkins • The council accepted the letter of resignation from prior Council Member, Hannah Whitehead Recognition of Tom Perry as New Council Member — Presented by Auditor Watkins • The Council welcomed Tom Perry as the new Council Member. Approval of Minutes —May 12, 2026 • The Council approved minutes as written. Acknowledgements • Treasurer's reports DEPARTMENT REPORTS EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Presented by Arica Cole • EMS provided an operations report. • Gibson County has been contacted by IDH about a 5-year grant that will provide funding for a Community Paramedic that is intended to strengthen rural health care and take the strain off the emergency rooms. The county would have to provide health insurance. They will be contacted by September if awarded. EMA Department presented by Director McKinney • The new siren system is supposed to be delivered today. o Electricians will begin work tomorrow and will most likely begin installation on the east side of the county first. The old sirens will not be stopped or taken down until the new ones are completely operational. • They are supposed to receive a grant for LEPC. • They were awarded a $10,000 grant from Duke for first responders. • They have been awarded $23,232 for salary reimbursement. Council Meeting Minutes June 09, 2026 • SHSP grant is almost finished. EMA received $149,600 and bought thirty-two portable radios for fire, EMS, EMA and law enforcement; eight mobile units; seventeen microphones, and eight pagers for EMS. • They also have a federal grant for $24,302 for mitigation planning. Health Department Presented by Administrator Shade • Diane Hornby has officially retired, and they have a new nurse to replace her. • They are working with the state on applying for a grant. They have sent a letter of intent for a Community Health Worker, which is in addition to the EMA Community Health Worker. • They will host a community baby shower at the Princeton Library this Saturday from 10:00 — 11:30. • Vac -Care Now is now implemented into the health department. It is a buy and bill system, cutting upfront costs. The program will allow them to provide vaccines for more people. • They will be selling the camper as it is not being used except during the fair. It will be sold through a sealed bid process; the reserve bid is $14,500. • The SOFR (Suicide Overdose Fatality Resource) team will be sending a brochure to every resident in the county about overdoses, suicides, and resources. The cost of the mailing is being provided through a grant from the opioid money. • The Jackson Street sewer project is progressing, and the Health Department is trying to buy a building so they can use the ARPA funds. Highway Department Presented by Engineer Holden • Tulip Tree Drive is patched, ready to mill and pave during Toyota's shutdown. • CR 100E project is progressing with the Toyota grant. • County roads will be paved after Toyota shut down. • Bridge#73 will have a bid letting in September. • Chip/seal will be done a bit later this year as they are waiting for the new distributor truck to deliver. • Two Super Structure bids are getting ready to go out. • The highway department office expansion is about to get started with bid openings scheduled for June 16th. • The new work order system is in use, and it seems to be working well. • All roads have been driven for their six-month check, they will enter the information into the work orders, so the information is tracked. • The Highway Department had three employees receive certifications at road school. • He also has several other employees that have started this certification process. • They had a new employee start yesterday and another one will begin at the end of the month. • They are currently spraying and mowing. They will look at changing their process for next year. • They recently finished their 30-mile crack seal project. OLD BUSINESS Jail Demolition Project Presented by Deputy John Fischer • Garmong has taken bids and they will create a spreadsheet so the information can be shared. Wheel & Excise Tax — Presented by Engineer Holden • The Governor has suspended the gas tax due to high fuel cost, but this will hurt the funding for the county. • Reports are out and they show that only a few counties increased their wheel tax. Council Meeting Minutes June 09, 2026 The state expects local municipalities to take care of their own wheel tax as the state has their own problems. The suspension of the gas tax will decrease the MVH distribution beginning next month. Update of Sheriffs Fleet Maintenance Fund Ordinance 2024-01— Presented by Attorney Spindler • This ordinance aligns the mileage rate with the IRS rate. The ordinance will adjust with the IRS rate so future amendments will not be needed. Council Member McGraw motioned to approve this IRS mileage rate for this ordinance, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The vote was 7-0. NEW BUSINESS Review of Budget Process and Upcoming Budget Dates - Presented by Auditor Watkins • Budget meeting dates were presented to the Council. • July 14' is an all -day meeting for department heads. He will only need those requesting a 10% increase or more to come to the meeting. Additional Appropriations Resolution 1170 LIT Public Safety 22000 Supplies Project Lifesaver $30,000 1170 LIT Public Safety 44209 Outdoor Warning Siren $431,771 Council Member McGraw motioned to approve this additional appropriation resolution, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Transfers Requested 1000 General EMS 0301 From 22402 Regular Ambulance Supplies To 32100 Ambulance Repairs (Major) $20,000 1135 Cumulative Bridge From 11114 Equipment Operator To 12000 Salary Differential $500 Council Member Riley motioned to approve these transfers, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The vote was 7-0. Additional Appropriation — Council Approval Only 9114 Pathways to Freedom Grant 11300 Part -Time $62,400.00 9114 Pathways to Freedom Grant 22000 Supplies $1,832.56 9114 Pathways to Freedom Grant 30101 Other Services & Charges $1,832.56 Council Member McGraw motioned to approve these additional appropriations, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Additional Appropriations - Request to Advertise 8903 COVID-19 Response 93.354 22000 Supplies $1,523 4011 Sheriffs Fleet Maintenance Fund 31406 Vehicle Repair/Maintenance $60,000 4106 Health Fair Donations 22000 Supplies $1,894 4104 Pocket Of Need Donations 22000 Supplies $129 4013 169 Projects 33003 Professional Services $1,900 1220 County Offender Transportation 31509 Juvenile Transport $2,500 1220 County Offender Transportation 31510 Inmate Transport $2,500 1176 MVH 0533 Gen/Undistributed 44107 Machinery & Equipment $105,001 Council Member McGraw motioned to approve these additional appropriation advertisements, seconded by Council Member Riley. The vote was 7-0. Council Meeting Minutes June 09, 2026 Public Comment Larry Michel — Gibson County Taxpayer — the paperwork handed out to Council was also distributed at the RDC meeting on June Is'. • Mr. Michel is not satisfied with the direction things are headed with the RDC. • He feels if Toyota would step up, it would be helpful to Toyota and the taxpayers. • He feels this would be an advantage for Toyota because it would improve their image if they would pay for their own infrastructure installation and not receive it from the taxpayers. • The next RDC meeting is July 13'; they should be presenting more data on the new TIF. Adjournment Motion to adjourn was made by Council Member Riley. Minutes from June 9t' regular meeting. ere Overton, President '�' erek McGraw, Vice -President Tom Perry, Councixqember 'Cris chafer, Council Member g Michael tilwell, Council Member -ALAttest: (als, S&I Michael A. Watkins, Gibson County Auditor Council Meeting Minutes June 09, 2026 Jay Riley, Council Member Robert Schleter, Council Member