Dearborn County IN - Public Forum

Sunday, April 26, 2026

Chris Powell for County Council D-3 on Time With Uncle Sam

Chris Powell for County Council D-3 on Time With Uncle Sam

To get to know Chris Powell- Click the link below.

https://youtu.be/KnRqWEmRMKs?si=6RYfZ-ZkXpWD5tHU

STOP SOLAR FARMS DC- Time With Uncle Sam #14 Plus Summary Transcript.

STOP SOLAR FARMS GROUP DISCUSSION 25 March 2026 --53 minutes plus annotated summary.

Click below for video:

https://youtu.be/s5eKK65LHLQ?si=VmamoORsiGLCvMuJ

This video features a conversation hosted by Sam Mortenson with guests Trevor, Bobby, Stacy, and Emily regarding a community-led effort to regulate solar farm development in Dearborn County, Indiana.

Key Discussion Points:

Community Mobilization: The guests describe how they became involved in the issue around December (8:31) and organized town halls and petitions (10:22). They highlight the importance of citizen engagement in local government, noting a significant turnout of approximately 600-650 people at a plan commission meeting (10:35).
Moratorium Status: The group successfully secured a one-year moratorium on solar development applications (10:42), which they view as a critical "first down" rather than the end of their efforts (30:37).
Future Goals and Ordinance: The group is now focused on using the moratorium period to work toward a protective, "gold standard" ordinance (11:09). They discuss specific elements of this desired ordinance, including:
- Increased setbacks (46:41) and acreage caps (47:06).
- Buffer zones between developments and farmland (47:25).
- A shift away from the current conditional use permit process toward a more stringent rezoning requirement (49:03).
Civic Participation: A major theme of the discussion is the necessity for residents to understand and participate in local governance, including how Plan Commission members are appointed (11:46) and the impact of local land-use decisions on property values (26:00).

The group encourages continued community involvement and plans a celebratory event for March 27th at Holtcamp Winery (44:07) to reconvene and discuss their ongoing efforts.

Saturday, April 25, 2026

AGENDA -27 April 2026 Dearborn County Plan Commission Plus Possible Resolution on Citizen Advisory Committee

AGENDA -27 April 2026 Dearborn County Plan Commission Plus Possible Resolution on Citizen Advisory Committee and DRAFT Unofficial Meeting OUTLINE is at the end of this posting.

Citizens:

This is a friendly reminder that there is a Plan Commission meeting on Monday, April 27^th at 6:00pm and it will be held at the Dearborn County Government Center.

In this email I have attached the agenda. I have also attached an outline of discussions for the meeting. The first item of discussion will be regarding whether or not the Plan Commission will create a Citizen Advisory Committee. So, depending on the decision, will depend on the next items of discussion. If the Plan Commission does vote to form a Citizen Advisory Committee, they must do so by a Resolution. Also attached is a draft resolution created by staff that has been sent to the Plan Commission for discussion, changes, etc. I have also attached the narrative provided by Bobby Rauen on his suggestion of a Citizen Advisory Committee which has also been forwarded to the Plan Commission for review.

I have also attached collected comments from March 24 through April 24 that has also been emailed to the Plan Commission.

Please feel free to share and forward to anyone that may have not requested to be on the email list.

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

165 Mary Street

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Website: www.dearborncounty.org/planning

Plan Commission:

Dennis Kraus Jr., President Elected, County Surveyor 01/01/2025 to 12/31/2028

Mark Lehmann, Vice President Appointed by Commissioners 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2027

Eric Lang Appointed by Commissioners 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2029

Russell Beiersdorfer Appointed by Commissioners 01/01/2024 to 12/31/2027

Joe Vogel Appointed by Commissioners 01/01/2022 to 12/31/2026

Jake Hoog Appointed by Commissioners 01/01/2025 to 12/31/2028

Jim Thatcher Elected, County Commissioner Appointed 01/01/2025 to 12/31/2028

Dan Lansing Elected, County Council Appointed 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2026

Sabrina Gregory Appointed, Cooperative Extension Office 01/01/2026 to 12/31/2029

PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA Monday, April 27, 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—September 22, 2025, January 25, 2021, October 25, 2021, December 20, 2021, May 20, 2019

D. OLD BUSINESS – NONE

E. NEW BUSINESS – NONE

F. ADMINISTRATIVE—

Moratorium process and dates—

Should there be an advisory committee, should it just be collection of citizen input combined with workshops, should it just be held during Plan Commission meetings with the collection of citizen input?

Solar Ordinance amendment—review collected information, citizen comments, legal issues, etc.

Battery Storage amendment—review collected information, citizen comments, legal issues, etc.

Data Centers amendment—review collected information, citizen comments, legal issues, etc.

Adjourn

RESOLUTION PROPOSED SHOULD THE PLAN COMMISSION DECIDE TO HAVE CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

ADVISORY PLAN COMMISSION DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA RESOLUTION 2026--_____

A RESOLUTION OF THE DEARBORN COUNTY ADVISORY PLAN COMMISSION ESTABLISHING THE SOLAR, BESS, AND DATA CENTER CITIZEN ADVISORY COMMITTEE

WHEREAS, the Dearborn County Advisory Plan Commission (“the Commission”) is authorized, pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-7-4-407, to establish citizen advisory committees to assist with planning and zoning activities; and WHEREAS, the Commission is undertaking a review and possible amendments to Article 19 of the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance as it relates to Solar Energy Systems – Commercial (SES-C’s) and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS);

and WHEREAS, in addition, the Dearborn County Planning and Zoning Department has been working on the creation of a new Article of the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance as it relates to Data Centers;

and WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes that public participation is vital to ensure that any changes to the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance as it relates to these matters reflects the goals, vision, and values of the residents and business owners within Dearborn County;

and WHEREAS, the Commission desires to appoint a group of community members to serve as a Citizen Advisory Committee to review data, conduct public outreach, involve citizens and business owners throughout the entire unincorporated areas of Dearborn County, and make recommendations to the Commission as to the regulation of SES-C’s, BESS, and Data Centers in the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Dearborn County Advisory Plan Commission as follows:

1. Establishment of the Committee: There is hereby established a SES-C, BESS, and Data Center Citizen Advisory Committee (“the Committee”).

2. Purpose and Duties: The purpose of the Committee shall be limited to working with Dearborn County Planning and Zoning Department staff as to SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers on the following duties:

a. Review the current Article 19 of the Zoning Ordinances to recommend to the Commission possible updates and amendments to the definitions and regulation of SES-C’s and BESS in Article 19.

b. Review the proposed new Article to be added to the Zoning Ordinance as to the definitions and regulations of Data Centers and make a recommendation to the Commission as to its adoption.

c. Recommend minimum standards for setbacks, noise abatement, visual screening/buffering, landscaping, environmental regulations, lighting, drainage, possibilities of cohesiveness between SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers and agriculture and/or residential land uses.

d. Develop specific minimum safety guidelines for SES-C’s, BESS, and Data Centers, including fire protection and emergency containment plans.

e. Propose protection measures for agricultural land, and/or the integration of agricultural land with SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers, in an effort to protect the environment.

f. Evaluate community impact including the impact on property values of all property owners.

g. Consult with the attorney for the Commission in an effort to ensure that all recommendations to the Commission are legally sound, enforceable, and contain only those restrictions that are reasonably necessary to promote the public health, safety, morals, and welfare of Dearborn County.

3. Composition: The Committee shall be composed of eleven (11) members appointed by the Commission, and shall include:

a. A minimum of two (2) farmers or owners of agricultural land in the unincorporated areas of Dearborn County (one (1) of which might benefit from such a development and one (1) with a long-standing and operational agriculture farm).

b. A minimum of two (2) property owners of land in the unincorporated areas of Dearborn County that is primarily being used as residential land in an agricultural zoned area.

c. A minimum of two (2) representatives of small, local businesses located in the unincorporated areas of Dearborn County.

d. A minimum of one (1) representative of a utility profession that is also a landowner within the unincorporated areas of Dearborn County who has an understanding of SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers.

e. One (1) member of the Dearborn County Technical Review Committee.

f. One (1) member of the Commission.

g. One (1) member of the Dearborn County Advisory Board of Zoning Appeals

h. The Director of the Dearborn County Planning and Zoning Department (to be assisted by Planning and Zoning staff to help document conversations and discussions).

i. The Committee shall consist of citizens from different townships of the County. There shall be no more than two (2) members from the same township as members of the Committee.

4. Terms, Operations, and Considerations:

a. The Committee shall abide by all statutes, rules, and regulations that pertain to public agencies including, but not limited to, the Indiana Open Door Law (Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5) and the Indiana Access to Public Records Act (Indiana Code § 5-14-3).

b. The Committee shall hold its meetings open to the public. There will be no “Public Comment” section during the Committee meetings, however the public will be able to provide input from the Committee discussions via written and/or emailed comments submitted to the Planning and Zoning Department for distribution to Committee members.

c. The Committee shall produce a report with recommendations to the Commission and shall present said report during regularly scheduled Commission meetings. Pursuant to Indiana Code § 36-7-4-407, the Committee shall report only to the Commission and shall make inquiries and reports only on the subject and problems specified by this Resolution.

d. The Committee shall invite experts in professions related to SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers and representatives from Local and State agencies including, but not necessarily limited to, the Dearborn County Soil and Water Conservation District, Fire and Emergency Management departments, the Purdue Extension Office, the Environmental Health division of the Dearborn County Health Department, the Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission, the Dearborn County Highway Department, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, and the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Said experts shall be invited to Committee meetings for discussion and to assist the Committee with carrying out its purpose and duties.

e. The Committee may be dissolved by the Commission at any time and will automatically dissolve upon the adoption of an Ordinance or Ordinances by the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners as to SES-C’s, BESS, and/or Data Centers or the expiration of the moratoriums on February 24, 2027, whichever occurs sooner.

5. Authority: The Committee is strictly advisory and has no authority to make final decisions or vote on any Ordinances that may be presented to the Commission for vote on a recommendation to the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners.

ALL OF WHICH IS RESOLVED by the Advisory Plan Commission of Dearborn County, Indiana this the _____ day of _______________, 2026. DEARBORN COUNTY, INDIANA ADVISORY PLAN COMMISSION ______________________________ DENNIS KRAUS JR., President ATTEST: ______________________________

NICOLE DAILY, Director Dearborn County, Indiana Planning and Zoning Department I affirm, under penalties for perjury, that I have taken reasonable care to redact each Social Security number in this document, unless required by law. /s/ Andrew D. Baudendistel This Resolution prepared by: Andrew D. Baudendistel #28212-15, County Attorney, VOTAW & SCHWARZ, 60 East High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025. Phone (812) 537-4500. Fax (812) 539-4500.

DRAFT / UNOFFICAL MEETING OUTLINE

The following outline is a preliminary draft designed to provide structure for the meeting. The timing and speakers are tentative and open for discussion and refinement.

A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

B. ROLL CALL

C. D. ACTION ON MINUTES— September 22, 2025, January 25, 2021, October 25, 2021,

December 20, 2021, May 20, 2019—The minutes from the February 2026 meeting where

not completed in time to send out for review.

E. OLD BUSINESS – NONE

F. NEW BUSINESS –

G. ADMINISTRATIVE—

 Staff will give an overview information, comments and other items collected towards the

goal of amending ordinances related to commercial solar, BESS and Data Centers. All

information and comments gathered that will be presented has been collected up to April

24th. This will be the second update of information provided. The first update was

delivered to the Plan Commission, County Commissioners and citizen emails, as well as

posted on the County Website.

 Time for the Board to ask questions of staff of any information and comments gathered

 Staff will present the first item of discussion which is the request for a Citizen Advisory

Committee. In order for the Plan Commission to decide on such a committee a

Resolution will have to be voted on.

 Plan Commission to open public comments only on the topic of a Citizen Advisory

Committee.

 Plan Commission to close public comments

 Plan Commission to discuss and decide on a Citizen Advisory Committee

 Depending on the outcome of the vote, will depend on the following topics discussed.

 If the Board does not vote for a Citizen Advisory Committee, the following topics will be

discussed for collecting additional input from citizens and direction from the Plan

Commission on staff composing of standards or regulations based on the topic. Each

Dearborn County Plan Commission

165 Mary Street Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

Phone: (812) 537-8821 Fax: (812) 532-2029

www.dearborncounty.org/planning

“We provide equal access for our disabled citizens. If you are in need of auxiliary aides or special

assistance, please contact the Commissioner’s Office.”

topic will be discussed by Planning staff on information collected and differences

received by research and citizen input. The Plan Commission will open for public

comments solely on the topic at the time and close public comments at the end of each

topic.

o Landscaping verses Berms for buffering

o Setbacks

o Agrivoltaics

o Future Workshops to be dated

 If the Board votes for a resolution on a Citizen Advisory Committee, the following topics

will be discussed. The Plan Commission will open for public comments for the

discussion on a Citizens Advisory Committee only during this time and close public

comments at the end.

o Resolution as presented by Staff

o Citizen Advisory Committee as submitted by Robert Rauen

o Discussions on the make-up of the members for the Committee and suggestions

on names for the people to fill the list of members.

o How many times a month shall the Committee meet

o How often to provide updates to the Plan Commission

o Future Workshops to be dated

 Staff is anticipating that if a decision is made to create a Citizen Advisory Board, this will

be the only topic discussed during the Plan Commission, as the possibility for any further

discussion on topics would need to be kept to a minimum due to the length

Friday, April 24, 2026

21 seconds- Can You Justify How Republicans Have Been Running the Republican Party?

Can You Justify How Republicans Have Been Running the Republican Party?

Is the Party Inclusive or Exclusive?

Can you justify voting for any of the current establishment ?

Is the Party welcoming new ideas, new members, and new candidates?

Click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HHJ396T_7Go

VOTE -May 5th- 3 Questions to Ask Yourself.

Three Questions to Ask Yourself When Voting on May 5th.

Click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/T5TyDTtxpOE

Fun Fact to Know About D-3 Commissioner

As an illustration of how the Republican Party has put people into office, click link below. The current D-3 commissioner caucus then lead to another open space on Council and a 2nd caucus for that spot.

This is not the only time a "musical chairs approach" was used to bypass the voters.

Click the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/y4EMPCGvwmc

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Getting to Know Jeff Cotton for D-3 Commissioner

Getting to know Republican Candidate, Jeff Cotton, for D-3 Commissioner on Time with Uncle Sam

To see the video click below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVZ69hY6bFE

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

21 APRIL 2026 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

21 APRIL 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

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

EXECUTIVE SESSION - 5:00 pm

Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(2)(D): For 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. This clause does not affect a political subdivision’s duty to comply with any other statute that governs the conduct of the real property transaction, including IC 36-1-10 or IC 36-1-11.

Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(4): For discussion of strategy with respect to: Interviews and negotiations with industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or commercial prospects by: a governing body of a political subdivision. However, this subdivision does not apply to any discussions regarding research that is prohibited under IC 16-34.5-1-2 or under any other law.

Indiana Code § 5-14-1.5-6.1(b)(9) To discuss a job performance evaluation of individual employees. This subdivision does not apply to discussion of the salary, compensation, or benefits of employees during a budget process.

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- Commissioners verified that the only discussed what was advertised.

ACTIONS OF EXECUTIVE SESSION- no final action to be taken per Baudendistel

Nicole Daily, Planning Director gave a report to Commissioners on the Solar Ordinance etc. said they were collecting comments still and a promo farmland map using PU and DCSWD. Also looking at solar codes and noise testing at other solar farms. PC meets Monday April 27th. Also working on a resolution if the PC board decides to set up a Citizens Advisory Board. Gathered a lot of information and there will be another update after the PC Meeting on the website. Trying to also have workshops for Comp plan that they had started last year. MS4 Standards for Solar Farms too. Looking at different agencies also.

OLD BUSINESS- none

NEW BUSINESS

St. Leon 1st Responder 2026 Contract- Approved and Signed.

ADMINISTRATOR

County Website Vendor- Sue and Nicole Daily worked on selecting the new vendor. October2025 said they are no longer going to be covering this as of Dec 2026. Narrowed to 4 to look at - Vertical, Epop, Dubstack, and Revise.. The last 2 were considered. Revise- from Troy Michigan - 25 plus years in the business.They have been trying to serve us since we hired the past vendor We looked at their clients. They are doing a 3 year contract. $15,700 to implement. Revise has more calendars and they will save Park Board as it will come on the County site.

What we currently have was cheap. $3735/year. Now we will pay $11,000/year. They do training and have good comments from clients. APPROVED Revise, as new vendor. It can take up to 8 months to migrate this. Migration of data is done by end of October. Revise will go live Jan 2027.

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and April 7th Minutes- Approved

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- recognized Brian Wagner from St Lawrence- ran the Boston Marathon yesterday.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: Sue Hayden asked - Request to allow Logan Lawrence to use parking lot for his ALS fund raiser to park cars. Approved.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Jim RedElk- said With the solar ordinance potentially there are a lot of questions that go to to other departments- like Building Inspector, Health Dept, EMS, and Fire. There needs to be updates to these documents and rules, as this technology is more advanced than other things we have ever had here. What can we learn from cleanups from storm damage etc. Who gets called? What is the county’s liability? How can the county benefit from solar here? He delineated types of questions and tech that the inspectors will need to understand. The commissioners hanked him for some good questions to consider.

Duane Bischoff- addressed the previous discussion on solar and citizens advisory board. Reiterated that the commissioners would support it IF the PC decides to go that route. It is going to get emotional at times. He spent some time assuring that the commissioners were NOT telling the PC wha to do. Just saying they would support that Citizens board IF they decided to set it up.

If the PC does not form a Citizen’s Board- then the Commissioners will form one to assist them ( the commissioners ) in reviewing the proposed new ordinance. Commissioners Approved

Shana Drake - Asked if any commissioners had been asked to sign an NDA by a solar or data center company? No.

Jim Thatcher- I have a statement to read. Regarding the spreading of lies innuendoes and false statements on Facebook and videos. The people that read these and see them regard them as fact. They are not. The people that spew this information are not just criticizing county officials which is their right. But personally attacking me in posts and calling me by name, and in the latest post putting my photo out with my name. This is now becoming very personal. This type of behavior is called targeting and it is dangerous. It can potentially put myself and my family at risk. This only takes one person who reads and then believes the rhetoric and decides to cause harm. It happens. I know I am not Charlie Kirk, but it only takes one person to read something, believe it and then decide that one person needs to be taken out. And he was assassinated. This kind of rhetoric needs to stop now - today- this very moment- before someone gets hurt. If this kind of behavior continues, and the people posting lies and misleading videos will show their true color by not ratcheting down the political temperature, but instead seeking political power without regards to the potential harm it might cause.

Thatcher immediately asked for motion to adjourn, saying, We’re done.

ADJOURN- 6:35 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township