6 MAY 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
Marc Emral, Register, Tamara Taylor, Beacon, Jeff Cotton, Bobby Rauen, Emily Hartman, Sam Mortenson, Brandon Lang, Mark Hall, etc- the meting was well attended.
TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel as legally required.
OLD BUSINESS- none
NEW BUSINESS
Election Update - Wendy Beatty, Clerk of Courts- 7,030 ballots 5568 same day 1462 absentee ( includes early voting) Turnout- 17.57% Manually putting in absentee ballots till past midnight. Police had to remove someone in Dillsboro. Will report back after they check out the issues from last night too.
Dearborn County Soil & Water Conservation District
Matt Simpson, Stormwater Coordinator:
MOU (Memo of Understanding) for SWPPP( Stormwater pollution prevention plan) (MS4) Review for Greendale Lawrenceburg and NOT Aurora ( Aurora did not pay for MS4 people)- Need signature for MOU- they want to utilize a fee for the services in order to get this unfunded mandate services covered and get better care in the applicant’s reports.
Stormwater Plan Review Policy
Lake Dildear Sampling Program- 5 year study on this after the sewer is installed to see water quality improvement. They have done the water sampling. Deep freeze affects it. Will report as this continues
Ken Gunkel, Vice Chair -Updates- Wants to be on Bischoff’s facebook board- 142 people at their dinner. Landlord got extension of the lease for NRCS and FSA office. They are cleaning up things now that they know they are staying. Additional $32,000 this year for farmers funding. Reported a stolen ck issue and it was stopped. Also ended wishing Thatcher Happy Birthday- tomorrow. And promised not to tell his age.
Bid for Bridge #221, Davidson Rd., Todd Listerman, County Engineer- Sunesis Construction $1,062,798 was lowest by $17,000. Approved.
Closed- May 11 for 110 days on Yorkridge Bridge in Guilford.
Listerman- Also Bridge inspection contracts done every 2 years. Some get it yearly if they are requiring it. 2027-2030 inspections ( 4 year) United Consulting was selected. $689,464.12 We get reimbursed 80% Some bridges are iron truss and need $15,000 per bridge as they have to be walked on the trusses underneath to inspect. Luckily we only have 2 of these. Approved.
The Triple Whipple Bridge is pedestrian only- $1,356.42 is done by the same company. Only one left in the world. They do not do it every year. Approved.
Discussion re: Establishing the Solar, BESS and Data Center Citizen Review Committee:- Baudendistel explained. Commissioners will have a review committee for commissioners after the PC meeting decided to not do one. Extended discussion. Turner had strong opinion, etc. See VIDEO of meeting for details. At 30 min-50 min mark.
Ken Gunkel- ask for application to list their duties and responsibilities.
Sandy Whitehead- Constructive neutral category- will submit her name for consideration.
Resolution- for LCD - Andy is going to revise - Council had some input too.
ADMINISTRATOR- Listerman - Saturday Yorkridge road closing for litter. Also 120 day closing there coming up.
AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold -Claims/Payroll and April Minutes- Approved.
ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- nothing more
COMMISSIONER COMMENTS: Turner- Congratulated Jeff Cotton on his win.
Bischoff- Students with art in the lobby- will be share on Facebook page. Interesting and quality work.
Thatcher- Regarding the election- congratulated all the winners and the people that lost too- anyone who ran should be congratulated. It’s a tough road.
LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION: none
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Sam Mortenson- Eric Lang, PC member, brought up a problem at PC meeting with how to not pick a lopsided Citizens Advisory Committee. Have applicants get 25 signatures to be considered for the board. Thatcher disagreed with it.
Brandon Lang- Thanked commissioners , staff etc, for all they have done in the county. He prays the rosary for them. Citizen Review Board- there are plenty of pro-solar people and they do not want to have the hassle of being on the board. Who decides if their input is viable or considerable? The commissioners decide ultimately. Do you have. Timeline set up for this group? He wants it to move along. Commissioners said there is an end time they have to adhere to. Hopes that they have outside experts to help guide this.
Emily Hartman- Pc was going too send info in chunks. What is the 90 days? It’s at the END when the ordinance will be ready to consider. Where does PC get their power? She commented on solar panels all over airport area- Good idea for it there. Am I pro or neutral or against? Public safety health and well being should be considered. Residents and not just property owner to be considered. Commissioner s seem to want residents. She noted- If solar sells to a public utility - then they are tax exempt. So let that tax revenue not be a consideration.
Shawna Drake- solar fields rely on the infrastructure of our county. Advisory panel should not have people who benefit financially. Turner disagreed.
ADJOURN- 9:50AM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
