6 OCTOBER 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 6 OCTOBER 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 

Also Present: Commissioner Elect - Jeff Cotton

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.

OLD BUSINESS

Dog Ridge Road Maintenance Access Use Agreement- pending litigation and no word from court on the stay request ruling. TABLED

Applications for EMT Sponsorships, Jason Sullivan, EMA/EMS Director -TABLED was no applications on this yet.

Discussion on Board Appointment Process- Duane Bischoff explained that this would make appointments not seem life-time. Also noted how many people signed up for Citizens advisory and the broad range of talent that was available to choose from. Thatcher wanted to be sure that if a board member was doing a good job they could continue. Also they did not want to clear an entire board. Tabled for Duane to present to Council next meeting. 

NEW BUSINESS

Old Orchard / Discussion on Environmental Issues - Ken Schumate 25287 Orchard Drive. Septic system serving Orchard from 1974 and several onsite septic failures. They have been meeting with Crossroads, Health Dept. and still nor response. The county has been aware pf this for some time. Wants a single lead to get a timeline of next steps. Thatcher sent them to the County Health Board Meeting- meeting October 15th. Dr Eliason has pause enforcement letters until they talk to the board.  

Veteran District Service Officer - Ron Higgins - New IN Code he has evaluated, Over $39million coming into Dearborn County’s Office projects, Gives our Veterans Officer and staff Dave  and Tom the highest mark. They have exceeded all expectations. Dave will be retiring. Applause from Audience.

Erin Huber and Ken Gunkel - Soil & Water District- Erin- Environmental tech- SEI Community Gardens in Lawrenceburg by Farmer Market. Tables were out there showing actobooes to get ppt traffic. Sir and Water- Got rid of all cover crop seeds from Farmers Market to 25 people. Holtcamp Winery recognized at State Fairabout all their efforts for composting and erosion control. Purchase for $12,000 retail is $25k. Plotmaster - for small sale planting. No-till drill rental already happening. Weed wrangle and how to remove invasive species is taught. Tuesday October 27 4-6 PM at Gladys Russell Park. 

Ken Gunkel- Turned in 2027 Budget -asked for same budget as 2026. Back to School bash- for kids to go back to school. OKI Tour in Warren county. Switzerland County- Learn and Burn- controlled burning- in March 2027. State Conference looking at resolutions that state is doing. Concern about 92 Extension offices. They were over billed from over $7k and reduced it to $2k. And they are looking forward to being in Duanes Minutes in a Minute.   

Bright Tree Lighting Event - Tamara Taylor- last year June Tucker had health issues and they did it for her. Want to continue the tradition. And she asked McHenry if they can close it- but he wants to have them assign officers to direct traffic 5:45-6:45 PM  November 23rd. Approved by Commissioners. 

Amendment #3 to the Bridge Inspection Contract - Sue Hayden for Todd Listerman- This was from contract signed earlier in the year- and this is the 3rd amendment to it $64,815 increase for scouring. This is for all bridges in the county. 

Resolution Authorizing Land Transfer - Andy Baudendistel- Deaton is present from DCRC- Andy presented. On the South side there is property from St E’s sale of 0.94 acres. This will give more acreage to the 3.24 acres previously sold. Deaton said this was a moving target all week. BZA for L-bg. TWG - 110 units of apts for affordable housing. Suitable for young families and older people with income less than $68,500. They need extra for property. The neighbor to this is also selling their property to TWG. DCRC may sell to TWG or others later. Approved.

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden-

2027 Title VI Implementation Plan & Resolution Adoption Plan- Approval of 2027 Title VI implementation plan. This covers discrimination issues with that. Ordinance 2026-014- This keeps us in compliance with federal money received. Approved

Videos by CGI Digital- Hayden thinks they did a good job and shows the whole county. It will be out on the county webpage.

RFQ- for insurance for property and liability brokers- that Hayden put out- needs change timeline. Moving it back about a month for response time by County.

Economic Development Commission- went by the wayside-in 2016- only meets as needed. This needs to be reinstated for the Givaudan Project. Council Commissioners and Lbg have nominees for the 3 member board. Brian Messmore is nominated for Lbg’s Board member. Andy was going to talk to Alan Miller to be our Commissioner appointee. Council has to get one then- They meet on Nov 17. They are looking for bond issuance. Commissioners APPROVED Messmore and Miller so far. 

Sue asked Andy Baudendistel-Vicious dog determination has an appeal. They will set it up for the 20th for the hearing. They will also notify owner. 

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and September  Minutes- APPROVED

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel-nothing more

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: none

PUBLIC COMMENT:Brandon Lang- Thursday gave a lengthy pep talk up in St Leon for the 25 acres there - on data center?? 

Also AEP set up notice for power line connections out near Batesville Ripley County thru connections to northern Dearborn county. It seems like something big is afoot. It feels like Manhattan Project. 

Thatcher said he should take to Randy Maxwell.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: 

Bischoff- Medical emergency outside the building Chris Heitmeyer, Josh Cochran and Ben McBroom. They all stepped in to aid. Commended them. 

Kevin Turner - Training session for disaster- at Perfect North Slopes- All went well.

Thatcher- amazing what all goes on behind the scenes. 

ADJOURN- 9:35 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township