18 AUGUST 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 

18 AUGUST 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 Livestreams can be found @

https://www.youtube.com/@DearbornCountyGov-47025/streams

Present: Jim Thatcher, President, Duane Bischoff, and Kevin Turner

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator, and Jeff Cotton, Commissioner-elect

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

OLD BUSINESS

Citizen Review Committee Update- Duane Bischoff said the first meeting is tomorrow night and will be at 6 PM in the multipurpose room upstairs and they will set a time for future meetings. 

Draft ordinance for solar has been sent out to local affected depts like highway and building dept. August 24th PC meeting will have this on the agenda after the scheduled case. 

Sept 9 special meeting just for solar. And the Sept 28th looks like it will be totally for solar. It is set up for a possible vote on the 28th. From then on they will advertise it for potential vote if the board chooses to decide.

Bischoff- said a lot of concerns that were raised and some of these items seemed to be less restrictive - setbacks and berms widths and heights. Berms cannot have trees on it unless they are really wide. Thatcher said he saw example of trees doing well on 1-3 ft berms. Nicole disputed that trees would do well on those berms due to issues with the root structure not having enough space to spread a wide as the canopy when maturing.  Issues with community solar and no maximum acreage. They did have it for utilities. Height measurements or the panels were confusing. Agrivoltaics were brought up by Nicole and she did not know the answer on how the assessor will work.  Bischoff cited the new code - IC 6-1.1-4-13 - if bees ( Bee hives) are on it- then the tax base is Ag- even if other things are there. This greatly reduces the property tax paid.  Need to check that!! That’s a big change for tax revenue. There is a lot of MAY and not SHALL. He specified the areas that was confusing- Daily said it was based in the permitting - Section 3a was an issue for him too. Also discussion on the heights of the panels between Daily and Bischoff.  Daily- It’s just a draft that I put out  and this can change at any point.  

He will send these questions to the PC as well as Nicole suggested. Daily departed.

NEW BUSINESS

Jack's Forever 3 Run/Walk 2026 - Linda Fox- 15th year for this- Sept 12 at 9 AM at Christian Church to start. They are notifying the sheriff dept. They sent a copy of road closure notice to the locals.  They plan a different type event after this year. Approved.

Jason Sullivan, EMA/EMS Director- Disaster Declaration- They ratified this one. They can extend this to continue it until Sept 1, as it can only be 7 days and there may be more coming. Approved Extension. 

Travel advisory was lifted today - Commissioners ratified that as well. 

Applications for EMT Sponsorships - Tabled until next meeting until amendments can be done. Thatcher said a lot of people are coming in to get our EMT training. 

2027 Schedules for claims, payroll and holidays- Approved all at once. 

Health Department Grant Application for Teens Linked to Care Program- Fromhold said this is just a continuation of the one they have. 

ADMINISTRATOR- Sue Hayden- CGI Digital Video - Duane Bischoff is doing the Press release on this. Duanes’s daughter is helping them get this out on Facebook and the county website. CGI Digital will do this for free- by using local businesses to advertise around this. Commissioners signed off on this. They will be here for Duane to do a welcome for this and do drone views etc. They submitted still shots from One Dearborn to get ideas. They will highlight towns and the river and rural areas. Commissioners have the right to reject any advertising that is not what they want. CGI Letter is approved to send to local businesses. 

Sue Hayden - At Budget Hearings this was brought up. Increases in Liability and Workers Comp Insurance Amounts- Council liked to have them do an RFP for Insurance broker this year to get competitive rates. Commissioners Agreed. 

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and August 4th Minutes- Approved.

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel-nothing

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: none

PUBLIC COMMENT: Michelle Dudley- Manchester- commenting on Daily’s Drafts. 

350 ft set back at most. 

It is possible to have property values hurt by these solar farms .

It feels like all the time we spent at all these meetings Doesn’t feel welcome and left 

Lisa- Also wanted to have page numbers on the draft- makes it hard to reference

Ed Yelton-  went to La Grange IN south of Michigan. There is a 50 acre solar farm up there farm 2019-20. It took a storm and they were in disarray. Then later SE of Coldwater MI about 2000 acre solar farm. Three of the farms with silos and and barns. 

I do not like this called a solar FARM. This is not agricultural. This needs to change to commercial constructions.

There should be no county tax abatements. These people need to pay up.

Saw substations that were BIG around these. He thinks the stacks need to be 400 ft. Some of these were 50 ft from some homes in these areas. Just want to offer these as information. 

Baudendistel told him about the rules in MI that allowed them to bypass locals for some of these. The state  of MI did this. Compatible renewable energy sources. These people won’t be coming here. Eventually these people will be going to the state.  

Yelton said they need to look at restricting hardwood tree clearing. There is property that might used for solar that could be cleared for this. Drive SR 48 to Benning Rd and then down to Weisburg. 

Gillian Collins-  resident and ranch owner. Disappointed tonight in the draft. The draft ordinance is massive at 50 pages now. The majority speaking on this matter have been consistent in what they want is a protective ordinance and predatory energy company and this is NOT that. 

Was told Dearborn Co can not do a protective ordinance as it is too risky- per Planning Dept. Spent a lot of time researching this. There is a plethora pf protected ordinances using many other options. If they can do it- why cannot we? It’s not because we can’t. It’s because Nicole has unilaterally chosen not to. 

Individuals in leadership positions have to be held top account for this. The stakes in this are incredibly high. We are in in ideologically stale mate between majority votes of constituents and Planning and Zoning.

“The fish rots from the head” an ancient proverb- 

She said we need to be sending a message that we are not open to this. 

Current ordinance is 14 pages versus draft is 50 pages- Baudendistel- wanted to note that. There is a lot in there.   

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Kevin Turner praised all the efforts of officials in the larger area and us after the storm and he also wanted to recognize his daughter for her 18th birthday and he’s very proud of her. :-)

Thatcher- Be open minded- This review committee will hammer this out hopefully. still work on this Maybe Manchester isn’t the best place - we are here to protect you. Maybe it should be on space that does not produce anymore.Keep an open mind.  

ADJOURN- 6:53 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

AGENDA 18 AUGUST 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING

 Livestreams can be found @

https://www.youtube.com/@DearbornCountyGov-47025/streams 

AGENDA 

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING 

August 18, 2026

6:00 p.m. Henry Dearborn Room 

Dearborn County Government Center 

165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

1. CALL TO ORDER 

 

1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

 

1. TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE

1. OLD BUSINESS

• Citizen Review Committee Update

1. NEW BUSINESS

• Jack's Forever 3 Run/Walk 2026 - Linda Fox

• Jason Sullivan, EMA/EMS Director

• Disaster Declaration
• Applications for EMT Sponsorships 

• 2027 Schedules for claims, payroll and holidays

• Health Department Grant Application for Teens Linked to Care Program

VI. ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden

VII. AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold

• Claims/Payroll/Minutes

VIII. ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel 

IX. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION 

X. PUBLIC COMMENT

XI. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS  

XII. ADJOURN

AGENDA 24 August 2026 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting

Citizens:

The Plan Commission will have a meeting on August 24^th, where there will be one case and then the beginning discussion of the review of the draft solar ordinance.  I have attached the agenda for this meeting.

 

I have also attached the full draft of the Solar Ordinance.  If there is an opportunity to discuss and take public comments during the August 24^th Plan Commission meeting, the Plan Commission will have their first discussions over the full draft of this ordinance.  I am also preparing advertisement to have a special meeting on September 9^th at 6pm to have a full meeting discussion on the ordinance.

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Nicole Daily

Director of Planning and Zoning

Floodplain Administrator

ndaily@dearborncounty.in.gov

T:  812-537-8821  |   F:  812-532-2029

Dearborn County Government Center

Dearborn County Planning and Zoning Department

 PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA 

Monday, August 24, 2026 6:00 P.M

. *Location: Dearborn County Government Center 165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 47025 

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

B. ROLL CALL 

C. ACTION ON MINUTES—June 27, 2026 

D. OLD BUSINESS – NONE 

E. NEW BUSINESS

 – 1. Request: Zone Map Amendment request from Agriculture (A) district to a Light Industrial (I-1) district, for the purpose of a metal roofing, siding and custom trim, with kits and materials, along with future fabrication business Applicant: Seig Surveying Owner: Joseph Burdette and Amy Jo Fletcher Site Location: SR 48 Parcel: 15-05-19-700-018.000-019 & 15-05-19-300-016.000-019 (portions of both lots) Township: Manchester Size of Rezone: 13.1786 acres 

F. ADMINISTRATIVE— 

• Citizen Solar Representatives: A citizen has requested the following individuals serve as their representatives to provide a presentation to the Board. The group has been allotted a total of 30 minutes, which shall both the presentation and any questions and answers from the Board. These presenters are as follows:

 Environmental Topic: Jennifer Loeffler with Energy Renewal Partners, LLC 

Safety Topic: Michael Townsend with Jensen Hughes, Inc. 

Property Values Topic: Nick Kirkland with Kirkland Appraisals 

Construction: Ryan Kelly with MASTEC • 

The Plan Commission has received a completed draft of the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance for review and consideration. 

During the August Plan Commission meeting, the Commission will review the draft ordinance and may receive comments, suggestions, and recommendations. 

If time permits, the Plan Commission will also accept public comments regarding the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance.

 No action or vote will be taken on the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance at the August meeting. 

• The Plan Commission may consider scheduling a special meeting during the first two weeks of September to allow additional time for review and public comment on the draft Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. The date and time of the special meeting, if any, will be determined during the August Plan Commission meeting. 

The only action to be taken at the August meeting regarding this matter will be a vote on whether to schedule the special meeting and, if approved, the meeting date and time. 

• Staff will request that the Plan Commission authorize the advertisement of a potential public hearing and possible vote on the proposed text amendments to the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance at the September Plan Commission meeting. Authorizing the advertisement will provide the required public notice should the Plan Commission determine that the ordinance is ready for consideration. 

Approval of the advertisement does not require the Plan Commission to take a vote on the proposed text amendments at the September meeting if additional review or revisions are deemed necessary.

10 August 2026 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes

 

10 August 2026 Dearborn County Redevelopment Meeting Notes

Present: Jim Deaton, Chairman, Trevor Bischoff, Tom Tepe, Jordan Hoffman, Jim Mansfield, Doug Baker, and (non- voting school board member)

ABSENT: Dennis Kraus,Jr.

Also present: Sue Hayden, county administrator and minute taker, Anthony Smart, attorney 

ABSENT also: Connie Fromhold, Auditor and DCRC treasurer.

Title VI statement read as legally required by Deaton.

EXECUTIVE SESSION 4:00 p.m. (Multipurpose Room, 3rd floor Admin Building Wing)

• IC § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(D): For a discussion of strategy with respect to a real property transaction including: a purchase; a lease as lessor; a lease as lessee; a transfer; an exchange; or a sale; by the governing body up to the time a contract or option is executed by the parties. 

• IC § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(4) Interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects by: a governing body of a political subdivision. 

IC § 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- Board verified they only discussed what was advertised.

Action from Executive Session- Board decided NOT to take any action.

Housekeeping

Approval of Minutes:  June 8, 2026 Meeting- Approved with Jordan Hoffman abstaining as he did not attend it. 

Claims from July 2026:  IN & OH Railroad $5,182.00 - 2 Benesch invoices for preliminary engineering; 

Hrezo $499.70 for wastewater consulting;

 Bayer Becker $240 for review of 25' split of 26-acre property, $1,320 for Task 5B project bidding, $2,490 for Task 6A Bright update and Task 6B Roadway const. drawings; 

Land Consultants $2,750 survey property at US52 & I74;

Pillar Valuation $3,600 for Rudicil and Viel appraisals;

Jeffrey D. Thomas $1,600 for Rudicil and Viel appraisals; 

Atlas $885 for construction material testing; 

Drake Lawncare $2,400 for mowing and bush hogging; 

One Dearborn $13,750 for 2nd qtr billing (Total $34,716.70)

Claims from August 2026: Drake Lawncare $1,200 mowing and spray billboard area; 

Bayer Becker $320 for attending 6/8 mtg, $2,720 and $581.25 for Task 5B const admin; IN & OH Railroad $4,020 - 2 Benesch invoices for preliminary engineering; 

Smart Law $7,640 for legal services 6/3 thru 8/6/2026,

Baker Tilly $9,443 for work on Project Compass and water infrastructure and $2,777.00 for TIF Neutralization (Total $31,228.75) 

GRAND TOTAL $65,945.45- Approved 

Financials Review- no comments or questions

Old Business

Project Compass Update - One Dearborn- Anthony Smart presented- Purchase & Sales Agreement, Economic Development Agreement, and Abatement Approval Resolution- Givaudan Flavor Corporation has $ 1,485, 578.83 purchase price and closing to occur August 20-Sept 30th 2026. He will put this in a recordable form this week. This is the appraised value and is consistent with the 2 appraisals they got. Approved purchase and sale agreement.

Resolution 2026-003 - Proposing a 20 year tax abatement - Council agreed to this this morning. Board has to do this as it is in the TIF district. Approved. 

TWG Development Project Update - One Dearborn- Perleberg reported they have expressed that they are likely to extend the closing date to Sept 30,  2026.  

Purchase Offer for US 50 Business Park 1.0 Acre Site on Randall Ave. & US 50 Update - Jim Deaton- everything is set for closing on Sept 2, 2026. Nothing else is needed.

2027 Budget Request to Council - Jim Deaton- will present tomorrow at the budget hearings. 

New Business

Tri-Township Water Project Update - Trevor Bischoff- The water company solicited bids from several engineering firms  for a new water in West Harrison district. 

One Dearborn Report

READI 2.0 Grant Update Perleberg will have reimbursement for the first draw for the $250,000 grant. 

Perleberg announced- Gage Pace went over to the CVTB and we are accepting applications to fill his job. There is no degree requirement- but is is a preferred requirement. 

Bayer Becker Report- Mark Rosenberger had sent email to board.

West Harrison I-74 EB Ramp

West Harrison Moore Drive and Railroad Crossing

Downtown Bright Infrastructure- Anthony Smart- statute that cannot accept roads less than 30 ft wide. Nothing resolved there yet. 

New Task Order 7A: I-74 Billboard Removal- Perleberg presented- reserving a portion of Jividon Site for future improvements.There is a 30 day time to remove this in the purchase agreement with Jividon. It is electrified so that also has to be removed. They will get quotes and get with the demolition prior to the deadline. Approved.

Attorney's Report- nothing more

Other Business- Doug Baker big thanks to Perleberg and the players that made this work.Apologized for anyone he may have omitted.  Perleberg said Commissioner Bischoff has helped considerably too. Deaton- Without One Dearborn this deal probably would not have happened. 

Public Comment- none

Adjourned- 5:30 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

10 August 2026 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

 

10 August 2026 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Liz Morris, President, Dennis Kraus. Sr., Dan Lansing, Doug Baker, Tim Doll, Mark Dole, and Glenn Wright. 

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor

Title VI Statement read as legally required by Baudendisel 

Baudendistel- presented executive session certification that the Council only discussed what was advertised-  Council Approved. 

Action from Executive Session- Perleberg presented. They are ready to bring the project to public purview. Phenomenal wages and will be complementary to our current set of Food and Beverage types of companies. We all need to eat and drink - so it will not slump. [NOTE: By the end of this entire presentation- there was no name given for the company that we are granting the abatement for, despite the fact that it involves 10 and possibly 20 years of personal property tax abatement} 

 Brad Nichol with Cushman and Wakefield - 147 jobs to 250 jobs starting at $62,500. They have looked thru 22 sites in 5 states. No 2 sites are the same. A lot of them do not have personal property taxes like what are here.To level the playing field looking at 10 years with option for another 10 years. 7 year depreciation schedule. Investment- $58 million. They want to mitigate that initial impact. Thought this was a better way to do this. They want to create a big impact into the community. Create a partnership to work with businesses and schools here. 

Two reps from the company are here. Per Liz Morris.

GlennWright asked- What is the situation with the water. 

Nichol said they are positioned for growth and for the future expansion with more land. Talking to others to work out world water underground supply….. 

Perleberg said they are looking at grants and state to work toward water infrastructure improvements in West Harrison TIF area. He also said they are working with other bond banks and grant dollars as well for this. 

Nichol said there are challenges, but you need a catalyst to drive investment- and this project will serve as a catalyst for future development in Dearborn County. Regulatory system today doesn’t promote just putting substations etc or increased capacity without uses coming to use it. 

Mark Dole asked Perleberg what the numbers were for the water etc. It boiled down to they do not really have an answer yet. 

Nichol said- that they are OK with current numbers are for their construction phase and the change in technology to reuse water etc - so they are continuing to  engage the utilities etc for the future plans too. There could be profit for the local utility or another water company may come in. They $1million would go away the project does not move forward.  They are going to work out a FAIR for everybody plan for this. Stong selling. Point by Nichol is that this company opens up opportunity for all. 

Wright asked about Fire and EMS-

Morris said that they have letters for this- and Commissioners just renewed West Harrison. Electric and Gas also have increased investment in the area for more development. 

Wright asked about 100 year flood plain effect there. 

Perleberg- said they will have to address this with construction and permitting.

Nichol said they have looked at sites since April of last year and they looked and assessed every risk for these sites. They have tested soil, road, work forces etc.   

Resolution 2026-007 Tax Abatement- Project Compass- Doug Baker thanked everybody, said he was on DCRC, and motioned and Dole 2nded. 5 ayes and 2 nays ( Wright and Kraus Sr. )

Board all signed the resolution in the proper columns. 

Investment of Public Funds- Hayley Hatfield- needed a signature stating the investments are according to the Indiana Code. Safety of investments etc. Approved.

TRANSFERS:

Highway- 

2 Trucks-$154,628.53 1169.21807.000.0127 to 1169.42500.000.012 Tim Grieve- Dump trucks. Using Todd’s $64,000 toward this. $224.438.32 total cost for these truck chassis only. We save money because emissions are changing again. Cummins coming out with brand new engines and emissions. They may not buy trucks next year. We keep truck 20 years. 24 trucks is entire fleet. Got behind during Covid. Approved the fund transfer.

Listerman: 

Bridge #218 Lower Dillsboro- $100,000 7303.41500.000.0125 to 7303.32982.000.0125- 80/20 federal aid- this is seed money for these. (Little over $500,000 for engineering on all these total.) Approved.  

Bridge #73 St Peters- $100,000 7303.41500.000.0125 to 7303.32998.000.0125- 80/20- same as above for Lower Dillsboro) Approved

Paving-$327,027.66 1001.39298.000.0051to 1001.21807.000.0051- this is the money that was to go to Community Crossings- but it did not come thru- so want to still use it for paving.  Approved.

Bridge # 82 Hyland Rd-$250,000 7303.32962.000.0125 to 7303.32965.000.0125- This is just engineering. This is half of federal aid project cost. Uses different consultants over his 21 years here. They do not require as much environmental. Approved.

ADDITIONALS:

Highway- Listerman: All of this is just design engineering. Using FBPH and Gonzalez mostly. Total $470,000  APPROVED.

Small Structure #531 North Dearborn Rd- $50,000 (4916 MVHA)

Small Structure #635 Pinhook-$80,000 (4916 MVHA)

Small Structure # 665 Jamison Rd- $80,000 (4916 MVHA)

Small Structure #118 South Hogan-$ 80,000 (4916 MVHA)

Small Structure # 360 Dean Rd- $100,000 (4916 MVHA)

Small Structure #329 Chappin Rd- $80,000 (4916 MVHA)

Liz Morris- told Council they got Thank you letter from St E’s for their Cancer Center money. 

Veteran Services-Leah Bailey presented

Travel & Mileage-$500 (1001 County General) Approved

Fees & Subscriptions-$500 (1001County General)Approved

Superior Court II- Liz Morris presented

Public Defender-$45,000 (1001 County General) Approved

Surveyor-Liz Morris presented- 

Truck Repair-$ 5,000 (1001)- Denied - purchase- instead of repair- see below

Vehicle Purchase-$55,000- needs money from these other 2 funds below- Approved

$30,000 1001 County General 

$25,000 1202 Surveyor’s Corner Perpetuation

Sheriff-

Holiday Pay for Matrix Employees-$43,060 (Public Safety LIT 1170) Approved

Holiday Pay for Matrix Employees- $65,367 (Correctional LIT 1233)- Jail Approved 

Part-Time $53,825 for $2.00 raise (Correctional LIT 1233) Jail Approved

Maintenance-

Glass around Jail Booking Area- $26,550 (1138 Cum Cap Dev)- Jail Approved

Community Corrections-

Part-Time-$26,913 (Community Corrections User Fees 1122) Approved

Health-Amy Rose- there is money in these funds. There has been more clients this year than tech last 5 years now in the new space. There is a new landlord possibly as someone is looking to buy the whole building. Approved all requests below. Baudendistel said its a 10 year lease and transfers as is to a new owner. 

Refrigeration Maintenance- $2,000 (1161 Local Public Health)

Clinic Services-$2,997 (1161 Local Public Health)

Program Supplies- $1,027(1161 Local Public Health)

Chronic Disease Supplies-$ 1,600 (1161 Local Public Health)

Utilities-$20,000 (1161 Local Public Health)

Auditor:

Park Board-$60,000 for equipment- UC Health is giving Health equipment for Bright Park- this is a pass thru account. No cost to county. Need a resolution for the county- Approved both  

Ordinance 2026-001 use of Recorders Perpetuation Fund for Budget- Morris said this is for training and such. - Approved

Minutes-   Special meeting on July 7 and Regular meeting on May 6 - Approved

Salary Ordinance-   Approved and signed

Late Arrival- none

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township