3 FEBRUARY 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

 3 FEBRUARY 2025 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

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

Also present: Connie Fromhold, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

Also present- Marc Emral- Register and Sam Mortenson who spoke under Public Comment at the end asking about the possible sale of the sewer district. (SEE THAT AT END OF MEETING NOTES)

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

OLD BUSINESS

2025 BOC Meeting Schedule - TABLED from prior meetings waiting for 3rd commissioner. Meeting times are changed from morning at 8:30 AM and evening meetings at 6 PM.

BOARDS for new D-3 Commissioner - TABLED from prior meetings waiting for 3rd commissioner.

OKI- Kevin Turner

Emergency Management- Kevin Turner

Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council- Kevin Turner

Citizens Boards:

911 Communication Board – Additional member Appointed by Mayors w/approval by BOC: Anthony Smart and Austin Woods (1-year term initially, then 4-year)- Approved- Kevin will reach out to Dillsboro and Moores Hill and Duane to St Leon to get their people

Cemetery Board – Open position (5-year term) (continued tabled – no recommendation yet)- Will have one for March hopefully. TABLED

Redevelopment Board Members (1-year) Current members– Jim Deaton, Jim Mansfield, Tom Tepe / Recommended: Trevor Bischoff - Duane said he is not related to him. He’s a Rose Hulman graduate- smart - real estate background. Wants someone younger who will have an interest for longer. Broader generational base too per Kevin Turner. These younger people are future commissioners etc. Thatcher did not want to have someone that new at this time on this board. and Non-Voting School Board Member (2-years) - Daryl Cutter -TABLED to think about making it a 7 member board.

NEW BUSINESS

2025 Economic Development Service Agreement with One Dearborn – Gage Pace, One Dearborn- outlined their successes briefly. The agreement is below. Baudendistel talked about the governmental position on that board ( Duane Bischoff) being able to abstain from voting on that board too. ( At Duane’s request) Approved the agreement  printed here below:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICE AGREEMENT

This Agreement is effective as of January 1, 2025 (the “Agreement”) and is executed by and between

the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners (“BOC”) and One Dearborn, Inc. (“One Dearborn”) whose principal place of business is located at 500 Industrial Drive, Suite 2110, Lawrenceburg, Indiana 47025.

WHEREAS the Dearborn County Board of Commissioners wishes to acquire certain economic development services which One Dearborn can provide; and

WHEREAS One Dearborn is willing to provide such services in return for appropriate compensation;

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

1. Economic Development Services.

During the term of this Agreement, One Dearborn will maintain an economic development office in Dearborn County and will provide the following economic development services to BOC:

a) Prepare, update and administer a joint Economic Development Plan that integrates development goals across all cities, towns and the unincorporated portions of Dearborn County.

a. Coordinate task force teams around the BIG 8 Economic Impact Drivers identified in the Plan.

b. Annually, create a strategic plan that outlines specific action items aimed at making positive long-term progress on the challenges and opportunities identified in the Economic Development Plan.

c. Partner with the Commissioners, Planning & Zoning, Board of Health, Sewer Board and other boards/departments within Dearborn County Government to support shared goals for the betterment of Dearborn County’s long-term economic prosperity

b) Serve as the central, county-wide Local Economic Development Organization (LEDO) as required by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and other regional organizations in order to receive confidential new business leads.

c) Serve as a resource, gatekeeper and intermediary between parties to help ensure that new businesses settling in the unincorporated area of Dearborn County have a professional, quality experience that meets their project deadlines and creates positive impressions.

d) Promote the County and its TIF districts through business development marketing, a centralized economic development website and collateral materials which discuss the attributes of the county, region and state of Indiana. This includes maintaining a data base of available sites and building inventory and administering any programs available through utility partners and others that support growing the County TIF districts;

e) Integrate the county’s existing businesses into a Business and Retention program, identifying common issues and concerns that could be a barrier to growth and success;

f) Develop and implement strategies around a ready workforce for current and future employers;g) Be actively engaged in the southeast Indiana region, Cincinnati metro and with the state of

Indiana around economic development goals, programs and advocate for shared opportunities to impact the future of Dearborn County for the better.

2. Fees paid to One Dearborn.

Based upon the time estimated to be required for the above-described Economic Development Services,

BOC will compensate One Dearborn the following fee during the specified periods:

January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 – Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for services noted above.

For administrative reasons for both parties, fees will be invoiced to BOC from One Dearborn in one installment in January 2025.

3. Parties agree that:

a. Payments to One Dearborn under this contract are in exchange for services and other benefits provided to BOC.

b. Payments received by One Dearborn are not based upon and do not involve a consideration of the tax revenues or receipts of BOC.

c. Payment amounts under this contract have been negotiated by One Dearborn and BOC.

d. BOC shall only be billed for services and other benefits that are actually provided by One Dearborn.

4.Documentation of Work Performed. One Dearborn will provide semi-annual reports outlining the work performed and accomplishments and will meet with the board of commissioners of the BOC as requested

to review progress.

5.Advisory Input. After signing this agreement, BOC may choose to select a member of their board of commissioners to serve as a liaison and advisory representative on the One Dearborn Advisory Board

which is designed to obtain input from customers and community partners on economic development strategy, projects, and various work groups to accomplish common goals.

6.Best Efforts. One Dearborn will use its best efforts, skill and experience in rendering the Economic Development Services described in Item 1. However, BOC shall recognize that economic development

project deals are complex and may not come to final fruition despite quality communication and gatekeeping to ensure issues are resolved and questions answered throughout the process; especially when due to circumstances not under One Dearborn or BOC’s control. If claims arise relating to the performance of the Economic Development Services hereunder, both parties agree to work amicably to resolve those claims. Each will carry professional liability and the respective insurance carriers may ultimately have to resolve claims in the best interests of both parties.

7.Term. The term of this Agreement shall be through December 31, 2025. Either party may terminate this agreement in writing within sixty (60) days of its intent to terminate the Agreement. In the case of such

notice of termination, BOC will only be billed for services that have actually been provided by One Dearborn.

8. Extension of Agreement. This agreement shall be renewable for additional terms of one year upon approval by the BOC and One Dearborn, Inc.

9. Notices. Any notices required or allowed hereunder shall be in writing and given by registered mail to theparties at the following addresses or at such addresses that may be furnished by one party to the other:

Dearborn County Board of Commissioners

165 Mary Street

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

One Dearborn, Inc.

500 Industrial Drive, Suite 2110

Lawrenceburg, IN 47025

10. Independent Contractor. This Agreement does not create a principal or agent, employer or employee, partnership, joint venture or any other relationship except that of an independent contractor relationship

between the parties. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to create or imply a joint venture, principal an agent, employer or employee, partnership, or any other relationship except that of an

independent contractor, and neither party shall have any right, power or authority to create any obligation, expressed or implied, on behalf of the other in connection with the performance hereunder.

11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire Agreement and understanding between the BOC and One Dearborn with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed as of the day and year first above mentioned.

Dearborn County Board of Commissioners One Dearborn, Inc.

Jim Thatcher, President, Board of Commissioners Mark Graver, President One Dearborn, Inc.

Attest:

Travel Advisories – EMS Director, Jason Sullivan- Approved to accept those yellow advisories retroactively. 

911 Director Recommendation- The letter said- On January 23, 2025, the Dearborn County Communication Board met for the purpose of making a recommendation for the vacant 911 Director position. After some intense discussion and deliberations, we provide the following candidates for your consideration:

• Kristopher Heitmeyer - Primary Choice

• Jeffrey Butler Jr. - Alternate Choice

We recommend that the commissioners interview the candidates before making any employment offer.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

Thatcher said that he tested him with recommendations and he got them done and decreased run times to Perfect North Slopes.Turner and Bischoff agreed that he has handled it well. Approved

Engineer, Todd Listerman - Unofficial Detour Agreement w/INDOT for  Iron Truss Bridge and a second structure east of Whites Hill Rd - Closure of SR-46 West of US-52, County 6/9/25-10/31/26. Official detour Harrison Brookville, North Dearborn, Jamison, Whites Hill. The unofficial one is not signed or marked , but is eligible for reimbursement for maintenance repairs. Approved and signed. 

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden-going to AIC conference this week.

AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold  -Claims/Payroll and January 21st Minutes- Approved

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- welcomed new commissioner Kevin Turner.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Duane -welcomed Kevin and also sent 75 emails out with Sue’s help- to businesses 

Thatcher- pursuing St. Elizabeth’s about the building of the new hospital down in Greendale- wanting a timeline, 

Andy Baudendistel- said that maintaining an acute care hospital in DC was part of their original agreements, but there was no date put on that part of the agreement- only one for the cancer center.  

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT- Sam Mortenson - Hogan Township- congrats to Kevin on recent election. Had heard about a commitment to sell DCRSD. He asked Jim Thatcher if he was in favor of the sale of the sewer district. 

Thatcher said he has been to a lot of their (DCRSD’s) meetings. They are financially struggling. The projects they are currently involved with like Lake Dildear and Guilford would not have happened if the county had not provided the finances (thru federal ARPA money). Going forward,  the way Thatcher sees it in the future - there would be no new developments served. (No mention of the large capacity at Guilford that will be available soon???) He thinks that if a for profit organization took over the sewer district then that entity as a private entity would be looking to grow and expand to provide sanitary sewers. We (the Commissioners) do not have the authority to tell the sewer board what to do. Information will be provided to them and then they can vote for whatever option they feel is best for the DCRSD and Dearborn County.  Keep in mind, regardless of what we think, the final decision rests with that board.

Mortenson asked Kevin Turner what his opinion was on this.

 Kevin Turner said- This is my first Commissioner meeting. He said he has heard what is going in with the sewer board but with transitioning from Council where we are doing fiscal stuff to Commissioners, he wants to hold his comments until he gets more information. 

Mortenson asked Duane Bischoff what he thought. 

Duane Bischoff said he needed more info also. Previously being President of  St. Leon Sewer Board for about 10 years and a business owner who is trying to grow his own business, I would like to see them become self-sufficient and that could be done. I do not like to lose control of assets. I think you would lose control of the ability to help he community. A lot of times when sewer lines are put in, people are forced on and people may not have that money. It’s $10-20,000 to get hooked on to a city sewer system, so it has to be looked in to- so that it is not detrimental to people who can’t afford to hook on. 

Andy Baudendistel said that every legislative session it seems like they switch back ad forth between forcing people on and allowing people to stay on septic. Most recently if you are notified by IDEM that your septic system is in failure, the most recent change was to allow you to hire a private entity to inspect your system and say to Health Dept or IDEM that they are wrong , that it is working. Municipal and regional Sewer Districts do have the authority to do forced hook ups within 300 ft of the property line. As far as the County’s involvement, we did the interlocal agreement that authorized the commissioners to pay the legal fees for the DCRSD, just because  DCRSD doesn’t have a lot  of money- that’s Barnes and Thornburg that Jim has mentioned. My understanding is that they were evaluation all the options that were available for DCRSD. I have not seen the responses they have received from that RFP ( Request for Proposals )

Thatcher - With the new system coming into Guilford- those rates are going to be kind of high. The company called Envirolink - called Crossroads in Indiana -in Bright took over LMH  in Bright and has 13-1400 customers. And if the acquisitions did go thru- those customers in Guilford would have lower rates because it would spread those costs over more customers. Now I know DCRSD has not raised the rates in a number of years. So people down that way are looking at a tremendous increase in their rates. DCRSD has about 150 customers and only about 100 pay their bills.So there are issues that need to be dealt with.

Mortenson- Thank You. 

ADJOURN- 9:40 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

AGENDA- MONDAY February 3rd - County Commissioners Meeting

 AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

MONDAY February 3, 2025 

9:00 a.m. Henry Dearborn Room

Dearborn County Government Center

165 Mary Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE

IV. OLD BUSINESS 

• 2025 BOC Meeting Schedule (tabled item from prior meeting)
• Boards for new District 3 Commissioner (tabled item from prior meeting)

• OKI 
• Emergency Management 
• Justice Reinvestment Advisory Council – JRAC 

• Citizens Boards 

• 911 Communication Board – Additional member Appointed by Mayors w/approval by BOC: Anthony Smart and Austin Woods (1-year term initially, then 4-year)
• Cemetery Board – Open position (5-year term) (continued tabled – no recommendation yet)
• Redevelopment Board Members (1-year) Current members– Jim Deaton, Jim Mansfield, Tom Tepe / Recommended: Trevor Bischoff 

and Non-Voting School Board Member (2-years) - Daryl Cutter 

V. NEW BUSINESS

• 2025 Economic Development Service Agreement with One Dearborn – Gage Pace, One Dearborn

• Travel Advisories – EMS Director, Jason Sullivan

• 911 Director Recommendation

• Unofficial Detour Agreement w/INDOT for Closure of SR-46 West of US-52, County Engineer, Todd Listerman

VI. ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden

VII. AUDITOR – Connie Fromhold

• Claims/Payroll/Minutes

VIII. ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel

IX. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

X. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

XI. PUBLIC COMMENT

XII. ADJOURN

UNCLE SAM'S LETTER

 Dear Constituents,

I was born to parents who were missionaries in Eastern Europe.  Before I was born, my parents lived and worked behind the Iron Curtain during Reagan’s presidency.  They were living in England when I was born.  When I was 3, we moved to a small town outside of Budapest, Hungary.  When I was 8, my parents moved our family back to the Unites States after being overseas for 20 plus years.  My parents transitioned from the international non-profit they had worked for to a new non-profit located here in the tri-state. 

  My parents blessed me with their love for me and their faith in Jesus Christ.  My dad read proverbs to us on a regular basis at the dinner table. All through my childhood he stressed the importance of seeking truth and wisdom.  Dad worked a salary position, full-time for the nonprofit, and mom was a full-time parent and homeschool teacher. I am the 6^th of 8 kids, and nothing was ever handed to me, except hand-me-downs. 

I started my first job at 10, working for a local farmer doing odd jobs.  I started my lawncare business at 13 in 2006.  I rented a mower from my parents in those early years.  I wanted to live the American dream and didn’t want anyone to be able to say I got lucky because my parents gave me free stuff.  I purchased my first commercial mower soon after I turned 18.  I diligently shopped around and found a commercial mower within a few hours that was for sale for $2800   I used that mower for 5 years and put a lot of hours on it, doing most of the maintenance and repairs myself because I was running such a tight budget, pumping every hard earner dollar back into better equipment.  I sold that mower for $2800 5 years later.  Turned around and paid cash for my first brand new mower! Things continued to compound, and I expanded into other areas of the grounds maintenance industry.  In 2022, I sold off the majority of my lawncare business to allow for more family time. 

A week later, my wife gave birth to our first child, a beautiful baby girl we named Reagan.  40 minutes later, we were surprised to find out she had been pregnant with twins!  30 minutes after that, I was holding a second child.  Another beautiful baby girl, Liberty.  

I’ll never forget the flood of emotions and thoughts as I held those two beautiful, precious gifts from the Lord!  I don’t have time to explain all the emotions I experienced, but for those of you who have children, you know exactly what I felt, and that feeling changed me forever!   I have always considered myself a responsible man, working hard to take care of my own needs, my family and give to others.   With the Political climate being what it was around that time, I realized that providing for my children required more than just putting food on the table. I felt it was essential to engage politically so I could ensure they would have access to a great country, full of hope and opportunities. This is where I was at when I first ran for office in the fall of 2023.  

Statement: Politicians benefit from the good of their country.  Patriots sacrifice for the good of their country.  

A modern-day example of someone who sacrifices for the good of their country, is President Donald Trump. I love that man!  One of the things I first admired about him was he refused a salary and donated the money to worthy causes. I had told many people when I was running for Senate that I intended to do the same thing with my Senate salary.  My perception of the establishment Republicans was that they thought I was just another selfish, young, politically hungry, want to be, politician. I felt extremely disrespected when I was not given worthy consideration. I was even more disgusted when I realized that many of the people who voted for me, were not even elected themselves. When I read the GOP rules where it states that if a precinct committee person is appointed, they “serve at the pleasure of the chair”, and can be removed whenever, I was floored! I had no idea that the game could be so rigged! I thank God that I did not get elected to the Indiana Senate. The sacrifice, time, attention, mental and emotional energy it would have taken away from my family would have been high! However, I knew I had no choice but to get involved if I was going to be responsible and create a better world for my children.

I never thought in 1000 years I would ever be involved in county government. Truthfully, if I had not run and worked as hard as I did and then been disrespected and ignored like I was, I wonder if I would have ever seen the problems here in our county.  I am a responsible man, when I see a problem in my world, I fix it! That is what I’ve done and will continue to do. I now realize that if I am not involved in county government, I might as well not even bother to vote. To really make a difference, one must get their reins into county government, which enables putting their spurs into the state government, and then use the state to buck the federal government. When apathy at a county level is high, the federal government is out of control. Aren’t we all witnessing a steady trend of out-of-control federal government? 

In my letter that I wrote when I ran for Senate, I stated the Albert Einstein phrase, “Learn the rules of the game and then play better than everyone else.” Many people have been irritated by my tactics. If you were one of them, please allow me to explain.

It is my opinion that our Dearborn County district one commissioner has amassed a significant amount of power that is completely out of control and unchecked. I have heard many people express their concern of manipulation and tyrannical control. Our current state representative referred to this individual as “the godfather of Dearborn County. “   I was stunned when I first heard that statement, but now that I see with my own eyes what has transpired in this county at his hand, I understand why he has earned this nickname. I realize many people may think I am mean, ruthless, unkind, and unloving. I understand why some people looking from the outside, would come to that conclusion. I don’t like the game that I find myself in the middle of, but I did not choose to start playing this game.  I only have the choice of playing the game better than the current power structure so that we can restore balance, transparency, and quality government in our county, or I simply walk away completely.  

Name recognition and being in good standing with the club, are the two foundational principles of the current political landscape in this county.  Only those who suck up to the powerful and become pawns for the politicians are the ones who are considered in good standing and thus get promised a spot.   They are the ones who are favored in the party, and they are the ones who are appointed to public office.  This has led to a very small group of people controlling Dearborn County for who knows how long.  I hate this game! 

I want to see foundational principles that are completely opposite. How can we expect to have good government if we don’t hire the right people for the right spots. In my personal business, none of my clients decided to do business with me because of my last name, or who my relatives were, or who I sucked up to. People chose to do business with me because they recognized that I would deliver the quality goods and services that met their needs and solved their problems.  They also chose to do business with me because they believed they could trust me to fulfill my promises and deliver on what was agreed upon.  I believe this is because I’ve chosen to live my life by the Biblical principle that Jesus taught when He said, “Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you “.  As Stephen Covey put it in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, “always think win, win.”  In every situation, always make sure that if you traded places with the other side, it would still be a positive.

Jim Collins, in his book Good to Great, teaches the following mindset.  Get the right people on the bus. Then get the right people in the right seats. Then get the bus headed in the right direction. The Political establishment I encountered, seemed more like a philosophy of, “Make sure you’re on the bus, get your family and friends on the bus, make sure you have plenty to eat and drink on the road trip, and make sure the bus is going in a direction that benefits the passengers on that bus. “   

From what I have been told, the 3^rd County Council District that I am running for, struggles to get the attention in needs.  The majority votes on Council have predominantly been the ones who belong to the Club.    Many of them live in the Bright/Hidden Valley area.  This is probably one of the reasons why I’ve always heard as I was growing up on the west side of the county, that bright and hidden Valley pretty much run the whole county, and we don’t really matter over here.  I have many customers and wonderful people that I know up in Bright and Hidden Valley. I have much in common with many of them and I think we are more alike than we are different. However, I am extremely different from the Club.  My experience has been that the people I know who live up in that area are also very different from the Club as well.

 

I want to see a united and strong county that is committed to thriving together. I want to see Dearborn County grow, prosper, and be a place full of opportunity for the next generation. I want my children to grow up here, want to put their roots down here, and have their children grow up here. That is why I am committed to staying involved.  Regardless of whether I am elected to this seat or not, I know I will continue looking for ways to make a difference. I know I will continue to get stronger, better, and more competent at playing the game until we beat the Club.  Let’s win the game, so we can change the game to a better game that attracts great people who love our community and are getting involved for all the right reasons!   Let’s have elections by The People, not selections by The Club. 

If you are one of the precinct committeemen that will be voting in this upcoming election, or if you know any of the 13 precinct committeemen who will be deciding who fills the seat on Dearborn County Council, I encourage you to connect with them.   If I am elected to District 3 County Council, I could be the tie breaking vote.  If I am elected, I promise to do my best until I know better, then when I know better, I will do even better! This is what it means to be committed to excellence!  I will not be accepting the Health Insurance offered by this position, which is part time, but as I understand comes with full-time benefits, and the money I am paid will be used to cover any expenses related to fulfilling my duties, and the rest will be donated to worthy causes. I pledge to produce an annual record for the voters to see where my paycheck went. It will not be going into my personal pocket to be spent on me or my family.    

In closing, I would like to point out that this is the 6^th time in the last 18 months that The Club has selected individuals to an elected office without the public’s vote (Clerk, State Senator, 2 Commissioners, & 2 Councilmen).  I truly hope the best person is selected for this position. However, that decision is not up to me. It is up to 7 of the 13 who are eligible to vote in this election.   Anyone can contact the Dearborn County clerk’s office and request the election results from the 2024 May primary.  Precinct committeemen elected to Caesar Creek, Clay 1, 2, 3, Sparta 3, Hogan, Washington, and Center 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, & 6, are eligible to vote or sign a proxy form to allow their appointed vice PC to vote in their place.  The caucus will be held in Aurora at the Purdue extension office, Wednesday, February 5, at 6 PM.  

Yours in Freedom,

Uncle Sam