7 APRIL 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES
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Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Duane Bischoff, and Kevin Turner
Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator
TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.
EXECUTIVE SESSION @ 8:00 a.m.
Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(B): For discussion of strategy with respect to any of the following: Initiation of litigation or litigation that is either pending or has been threatened specifically in writing. As used in this clause, “litigation” includes any judicial action or administrative law proceeding under federal or state law and/or
Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(19): To have communications with an attorney that are subject to the attorney-client privilege.
CERTIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE SESSION- Baudendistel read the reasons allowed for the session and Commissioners certified this was all they discussed.
ACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE SESSION- NONE
NEW BUSINESS:
Proclamation Declaring April 30, 2026 National Therapy Animal Day- Baudendistel read the proclamation. There were a number of therapy dogs in the room along with their humans. This was a public salute to these teams. Approved Sue Hayden got a picture with Commissioners in the background.
Appointment to Convention & Tourism Bureau - Tim Doll sent the recommendation of Dominic Cossentino - Director of Operations for the Archeological Research Institute. (ARI)- Approved
EMA/LEPC Board Appointments (Local Emergency Planning Committee.) The need a citizen appointee to replace Dave Wissman who is no longer working there. He is now appointed as a Citizen Advisory for that board .Approved.
Joint Resolution 2026-004 with Council re: Lawrenceburg Conservancy- Baudendistel- Minor amendment for that. TABLED until next meeting.
Resolution 2026-005 for LifeTime Resources CY2027 Grant Application- Michelle Guidice- Director of Catch a Ride. They need this for INDOT grant. This resolution was approved.
YES Home - Authorization to Make Improvements- Because the county owns the property they need permission from County. They discussed this last meeting too. Youth Home needs improvements and 10 additional rooms- one floor renovation. Commissioners were invited by EG McLaughlin up to see the new phase any time they can arrange. Approved.
Ordinance 2026-005 - to Amend Chapter 90(Animals) of Code of Ordinances- this has to do with community stray feral cats.If you set food out- you are a community cat caregiver and there are rules for that. To get them trapped and neutered. Approved.
County Engineer, Todd Listerman:
Annual Report- 2025- biggest takeaways- $16.1 million on salaries and equipment etc. under $5 million from state. $9.7million came from other funds. 60% came from other sources other than the dedicated funds the state provides. Approved and signed.
PAMP Contract- Pavement Asset Paving Plan- to qualify for community crossing and other funds. These are graded on 1-10 scale based on federal guidelines. HWC Engineering- $7,000 Approved to prepare PAMP
Bridge Quotes for Bridges #58 Wilson Creek $ 30,436.50 , #72 St Peters Rd $13,347.33 and #108 Harrison Brookville Rd $49,575.52: Thin epoxy overlays for bridges for this year. This seals structure and extends the life of the bridges about 20-25 years as we don’t have as much wear and tear as highways on these bridges. Closures will be 1-2 days on these. That saves money too to close to do the repairs- Savings $7,000. Approved
Request Road Closure - W. County Line & Volks Rd. on April 8, 2026- Kevin Turner- kids from Probation are coming out to clean the roadside. From 4PM to dark- about 4 hours. Approved.
Petition for Apparent ROW- Jared Ewbank- He filed a petition for preliminary declaration that Dog Ridge Rd will be declared an apparent ROW subject to a Public hearing that will take effect on April 27th. There will one a preliminary finding that has no weight on the approval. Then the County Surveyor does his survey. The PUBLIC HEARING will be at the May 19th meeting. APPROVED The Preliminary ROW. The costs of the notices borne by Ewbank’s clients.
ADMINISTRATOR- Sue Hayden- Questioned who would be doing the notices for ROW above. The costs of the notices borne by Ewbank’s clients.
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and April Minutes Approved
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel-nothing more
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: none
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: none
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Robert Montague- speaking to make sure residents have meaningful input in the process on solar farms. Make it a priority is to support a Citizen Advisory Board for local citizens for this. You can ensure that those most impacted by this have a seat at the table. Thatcher wanted to be sure they knew the Commissioners cannot mandate this- it would be Plan Commission.
Sam Mortenson- We know that the commissioners cannot mandate but they can encourage this. This board does have the ability to make a recommendation. Thatcher said they would make a recommendation if we see progress isn’t being made. (at Nicole Daily's 2 week reports)
April 27th meeting- Planning and Zoning- also- Nicole has compiled the comments and emails on this issue. And sending them out or posting.
Joe Volk- asked about banning solar farms being illegal- True- but they can regulate where they are possible. Set the rules to guide where you want them to be. Volk asked about where to send comments. Commissioners suggested it goes to PC and copied to Commissioners too perhaps.
ADJOURN- 9:10 AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
