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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4-7-2026 GC Commissioner Meeting MinutesGibson County Board of Commissioners Regular Session April 7, 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 • March 17, 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. Acknowledgement of Clerk & Treasurer Reports — Commissioners acknowledged both. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriffs Department — Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • Staffing Report o Deputies have one opening. o Communication Department has two openings. o Community Corrections is fully staffed. o Corrections positions have four openings. • There was an average of 102 in the detention center. • The Sheriff's annual report was distributed to Commissioners. Soil and Water Conservation Department - Presented by Julie Loer • Ms. Loer has submitted her resignation notice; she will be taking a watershed position where she will still work with Gibson County. • They will soon host a fourth -grade farm fair at the fairgrounds pavilion. • They will be sending a couple of student teams to compete in the environmental convention. Health - Presented by Juli Ellsworth • They are nearing the end of the "New Year, New You" program, but will begin another round. • She reminded everyone to protect themselves and animals from tick bites as it is the season for them. • They will be conducting a county -wide CPR class, watch facebook for details. EMA — Presented by Stephanie McKinney • She is finishing the final training for Project Lifesaver, which is a search & rescue training program. • The new sirens should be ready mid -April and ready to install shortly after. All existing sirens are currently functional. Highway — Presented by County Engineer Holden Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 • Bridge #73 west of Wheeling will soon be completely out for design and will be bid in July. • The crack seal program has begun in the East Gibson area. They like that the materials are lasting longer than expected. Engineer Holden feels this is one of the most cost-effective paving preservations that can be done. They will do this in spring and fall. • Paving is out to bid now; part is TIF and part is county road paving. • This department has a new work order system. Their highway department website can generate a work order if the public does not wish to call the highway department to file a work order. The system will expedite the work order to the person in charge of that area, so they are always up to date on items that need attention. OLD BUSINESS Old Jail Demolition Project Update — Owner's Representative George Ballard • Last week the Committee graded the one RFP submitted by Garmong for the construction management position. All paperwork submitted appeared to be appropriate to the Committee. • Owner's Representative Ballard requested that Commissioners approve Garmong as construction manager so they can begin compilation of the bid packages for the demolition. Commissioner Lewis motioned to accept the Garmong proposal, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. Update 2026 Appointments — Presented by Attorney Spindler • Public Defender Moody requests the reappointment of previous Superintendent Mike Brewster from EGSC for the Public Defender Board. This is a 3-year appointment. • Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve Mr. Brewster, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. Approval of Numbered Policies on pages 21-30 of Employee Handbook - Presented by Attorney Spindler • Attorney Spindler requested preliminary approval on these pages. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to preliminarily approve the above -named pages, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Introduction of Numbered Policies on pages 31-40 of Employee Handbook — Presented by Attorney Spindler • Sections 306-326 will be circulated to Commissioners by Attorney Spindler; the handbook is also online for anyone to review. • No action is needed on this matter. Recommendations on Road Studies - Presented by Sheriff Vanoven CR 250 South (often referred to as Seedtick Road) • Children playing signs are recommended (Commissioner Lewis questions if homeowners can request signs from AAA). • The road is very narrow, and the study recommends a reduction in speed from forty miles per hour down to thirty or thirty-five mph. • The study recommends a digital speed sign. CR 100 E & CR 600 S Between CR 175 E and CR 100 E • The study proposed a three-way stop be installed at the intersection of CR 100 E and CR 600 S. • The study recommends the installation of additional signage for school bus stops. Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 2 • The study recommended reducing speed to thirty miles per hour from forty mph. • Commissioner Lewis feels this should be a three-way stop and he asked the Sheriff to patrol more to slow traffic down. CR 175 E from Highway 168 to CR 600 S • The traffic study showed the road was well marked and the speed limit was appropriate, however motorists are violating the forty miles per hour speed limit often and residents could benefit from a reduced speed. • One driveway could use a hidden driveway sign near 6250 S CR 175 E. • Also recommended children at play sign(s). • Study recommended a digital speed sign be installed that could collect data showing how fast traffic is traveling. 850 E and 350 S • Recommended that additional speed limit signs be installed on 850 E in both directions. • Recommended child at play & hidden driveway signs. • An increase in traffic patrol would also be beneficial. • This road does not qualify by statute for a lower speed limit. All road study information will be forwarded to the Highway Department & Auditor. Update from True Hope on Opioid Funding Use — Presented by Julie Kifer • They received an opioid grant; and with their funds they have gone to an international training seminar. They put new monitors in their offices. They deal with addiction situations. They have had an uptick of partnerships. Approve Chip Spreader/Distribution Truck Bids - Presented by County Engineer Holden • Engineer Holden explained that the equipment works together, and the specifications stated that anyone bidding the pair would receive first consideration. They received three bids. Engineer Holden recommended Commissioners award the bid to Dubois County Highway Department. Their bid was $105,001 per piece. The distributor truck will not be released until the new one arrives. • There was a reserve bid on the equipment and the trade in value was '/2 the amount of bids received. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve awarding the bid to Dubois County for the equipment pair, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The vote was 3-0. Advertise for Bid, Toyota Grant Project — Presented by County Engineer Holden • This grant became available in Fall 2025, and it will fund a road study & improvements to CR 350 S & CR 100 E. • 100 E and 500 S will also see improvements with signals and turn lanes. • Engineer Holden wants to do this project during shutdown in July, thus must get project moving. • Requests permission to advertise for bids. Commissioner Lewis motioned to allow this advertising, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The vote was 3-0. Toyota Grant HWC Contract - Presented by County Engineer Holden • HWC was the traffic consultant for Toyota Grant Improvement Project. • This project will look at all intersections in this area, going forward 20 years into the future. Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the HWC contract, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. NEW BUSINESS INDOT Unofficial Detour MOU - Presented by County Engineer Holden • This MOU is for a project in Pike County near Snaky Point but will affect commuters in Gibson County. This MOU will protect this county if damage occurs during this unofficial detour. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve the unofficial detour MOU with INDOT, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. New Road Description for Gibson County Easements - Presented by County Engineer Holden • Peabody Coal has presented the County with a legal description for the dedication of right-of-way for CR 850 S & 1300 E. These roads had previously been approved to be turned back over and released to the county. Commissioner Lewis motioned to approve and accept the transfer of these roads, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Safety Action Plan • This plan was mailed last week; it encompassed all of Gibson County and will look at all areas in need of safety action. • This plan should open the County up for funding to do these safety upgrades. • There will be public meetings to discuss the information. Highway Employees Receive Certifications • Highway employees Mark Tuley, Derick Cole and Bob Ortt recently received their road school certifications from LTAP. BCS 2026 Maintenance Agreement — Presented by Andrew Beitler of BCS • Commissioner Lewis asked about the speaker system in the Courthouse. Mr. Beitler says it is for a mass communications system. He will investigate this item and email Commissioners with information. • The new Commissioners building is not on the contract because BCS does not have equipment in the building. Commissioner Lewis motioned to take this item under advisement until the second meeting of the month, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The vote was 3-0. 2027 Grant Application for Ride Solutions — Presented by Becky Guthrie • Ms. Guthrie told Commissioners she is requesting approval of a resolution which states the County wants Ride Solutions to provide public transportation services in the county. Commissioner Lewis motioned to accept the resolution from Ride Solutions to continue their public transportation service in Gibson County, seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare 2025 Annual Report — Presented by Katy Adams, CEO • They are the County's community mental health center. • The office in Princeton provides services for all ages and is also a prescriber for psychiatric medications. • They are connected with local schools. • They have two group homes in Evansville where some Gibson County residents reside. Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 4 • They offer crisis services that can be utilized by anyone anytime as they operate on a 24/7 basis and provide onsite care when needed. • They co -respond with law enforcement through agreements; they have agreements in Posey, Warrick and Vanderburgh and would like to team up with Gibson County. • They would like to station in schools for Gibson County. • They had 187 crisis calls last year from Gibson County and treated 550 adults. 273 children were served from Gibson County, mostly with anxiety concerns. • There were 511 bed days for Gibson County residents in the Stepping Stones Program. • They are working hard dealing with access issues; they have open access which means they will see you the same day and get treatment started more readily. ALS Awareness Month Proclamation Request — Presented by Commissioner Montgomery on behalf of Judith Morgan • Commissioner Montgomery has talked to Ms. Morgan, and she requested they make May ALS awareness month. Commissioner Montgomery motioned to make May ALS Awareness Month, seconded by Commissioner Burns. The vote was 3-0. Health First Indiana Funding Position Change — Presented by Juli Ellsworth • One of their positions will be cut in 2027 due to lack of funding. • They will have to eliminate the secretary position on 12/31/2026. • Juli requested that Commissioners notify the union as soon as possible, so they receive the proper 90 days prior to the elimination notification. Commissioner Lewis motioned to move forward with the elimination of a position seconded by Commissioner Montgomery. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Medical/Personal Leave(s) Commissioner Montgomery motioned to approve medical leave(s), seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The motion passed on a 3-0 vote. Public Comments Gibson County Chamber of Commerce — Presented by Director Patty Vanoven • The Chamber is excited to announce there will be ribbon cuttings on new businesses in East Gibson. • May 8' is the Golf Scramble at Princeton Country Club. • On July 4, 2026, the Chamber will organize the 250t' anniversary parade. You can register at Go Gibson. The parade will start at noon, and lineup will be on Broadway & Main; it will end at the Fairgrounds. Katy Gayso, Ft. Branch lives near CR 600 S and CR 175 E • Ms. Gayso asked what could be done about the blocking of driveways near the corner of SR 168 and CR 175. • She also told Commissioners when buses are heading west to drop off kids, the traffic is not stopping as the kids cross the road after exiting the bus. • She reported semi traffic is back on CR 175. • She feels there is a speed problem on this road and especially with day shift traffic. Adjournment Commissioner Montgomery motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Commissioner Lewis. The vote was 3-0. Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 5 Meeting Minutes April 7, 2026 A)21 Nick Burns, President iKennlrth • _. �• - t ATTEST: Mike Watkins, Auditor Gibson County Commissioners April 7, 2026 Chuck Lewis, Vice President