19 AUGUST 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 19 AUGUST 2025 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.

OLD BUSINESS

Property on Westside Drive- Aurora- Baudendistel - last meeting discussed there was an owner who would like to buy it. Mayor of Aurora has expressed interest in the property to Todd Listerman, and talked about clean up and kayaking there. (There was an old road there many years ago- it’s been closed off.)

Per Andy- 3 options —put it up for sale to anyone OR agree to transfer to Aurora DCRC OR just have the county to keep it. He will get a couple quotes for appraisals from Meghan in assessors office.DCRC has appraisers also. Discussed that they can do bids or auction.TABLED for further information 

 

NEW BUSINESS

Jack’s Forever 3 Foundation Annual Run/Walk - Sept 13th- Linda Fox- Sue Hayden presented as Fox was not here. Similar to previous years since 2010 when the little boy was killed on North Dearborn Rd. 8;30 -10:30 and sheriff is OK. Approved 

Grant Application Approval- Redevelopment READI 2.0 Grant for Moore Drive- Jim Deaton- President DCRC and Jordan Hoffman, Member DCRC- Deaton was the only one here, This grant is for $250,000 from READI 2.0. They are putting in a new Moore’s Drive to get it wide enough for semis. DCRC is putting in $500,000. Approved to seek the grant.

Director of Planning and Zoning- Nicole Daily- Amendment to Subdivision Control Ordinance: Article 2, sections 200 and 260, Article 6 Definitions, and Article 3 Section 315

Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 25 Section 2551 and Article 27 - Definitions

They made allowances for farmers working unbuildable lots but living further away from these farmed lots could still own those lots, though they were not adjoining them. Pond regulations for new ponds but not existing ones. They can require easements with maintenance agreements on old ponds too when their are lot splits. 950 sq ft minimum in the ordinance. They were asked recently if that was including the 2nd floor. Some of this meets the state’s definition of this also. Multi story still ends up being 950. For the multi story will be per unit.The PC forwarded a favorable recommendation to the commissioners, with Thatcher abstaining on PC vote. 

Ordinance to Amend Zoning Ordinance with all of the above items in it was Approved with the amendment with the clarification of “per unit” on the minimum sq ft definitions. If the PC is OK with the amendment it stands once they approve the amendment. No need to come back to Commissioners.  

Revised Interlocal Agreement with Aurora adding MS4 Assistance- Nicole Daily- this is for permitting assistance as we move thru MS4 process. They asked for this as County P and Z does Aurora’s permitting. They want the MS4 coordinator to assist on this also.The interlocal is going to be expiring at the end of this year- They are redoing this to extend it to the end of 2026 and included the increased rate. Aurora already agreed to this and signed it. Commissioners approved.  

Revised Contract with Beacon Web site with Schneider- Nicole Daily- Schneider came to her with a bundle agreement. There is a one time set up fee. Most of these new tools are a nightly sync for changes from auditor and assessor. It was going to add $15,000/year. The bundle is a better deal. That adds $3300. Tools are things like the extract tool. This will have a charge as well. The applicant can pay for the data extracted. Now Nicole does not have to do that by hand. Some tools are only available if they have a paid subscription. Realtors and contractors will have a revolving ad they can have on there too. The one time set up fee is $4894. They are paying this now and things will be ready by January 1. Property taxes will be able to be paid from that site too. Approved and signed the basic bundle for the Beacon Website.

Ordinance to Amend 70.06 in Code of Ordinances- Traffic Signs and Signals- Baudendistel- there are cleaned up items and the blind and/or deaf child sign regs. Approved and signed. 

Ordinance to Amend Chapter 90.99 in Code of Ordinances- Animals- Baudendistel-we found that people are happy to just pay tickets over and over. The grace periods changed also, and eliminated them if there are 3 strikes in 12 months- then they go to city court. Fine schedule amount changes $100, $300, etc.  Trying to get positive changes after the first offense. Steve Hofstetter- Animal Control talked about the old regs and now they go to court instead of a 3rd violation. Here is a 14 day grace period to pay first offense fine. There is a fine up to $1000 on a Class B offense. Plus Court costs. Class C has max of $500 on 3rd offense. So far they have not had to take an animal. They would be on a do not adopt list at PAWS. Approved the amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance- effective January 1, 2026.  

Purdue Pharma Ballot- Baudendistel- There is a ballot and a participation form. This is separate from the money we get from opioid settlement. This is a bankruptcy form. This is separate from the national one. This has to be returned by September. Participation form is giving up your rights to go against Purdue Pharma or the Sackler Family. The money to state and local has been increased. The motion to execute the participate in the release form and the ballot.  

Emergency Need to Upgrade Fire System Panels - Sue Hayden has a quote from Siemens who installed it. This will be compatible also. Johnson Controls was contacted. Commissioners Declared this as an emergency per Baudendistel. The 2 quotes were requested. One did not come in time. Approved Siemens quote  of $144,905.42 to upgrade the fire system. 

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden- 2026 Title VI Implementation Plan Update / Resolution- to get Federal funding you have to have this done annually. INDOT requires this. You also sign assurances for all the contracts that Listerman engages with. Commissioners Approved and signed, 

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and August 5th Minutes-Approved

Health Grant Approval- Safe Sleep Environment Program- Fromhold presented- no county matches. Approved $67,766.18 grant.

Employee Holiday Calendar 2026- Approved

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- quick update. 911 dispatch approvals have all come in except for St Leon, Lawrenceburg and West Harrison. He’s contacting them all. 

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Bischoff- thanked Sue that she stays up on the  County Facebook page that they started up this year. 

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Chris Heitmeyer NCIC and IDACS management control  agreement sent notice to her that was signed by Jared Teaney and he needs a new on signed by the 3 commissioners and Chris now that he took it over. It is also signed by the cities and towns. Commissioners signed it.

PUBLIC COMMENT: none

ADJOURN- 7:15 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township