[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6087293,"mediaKeyId","2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01","parentId",2891207,"title","Morgan County Commissioners approve rezone, contract amendments, funding items and more; commissioners receive treasurer report","audioSeconds",3876,"startMs",519000,"endMs",4395000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01&start=519&end=4395","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01/thumbnail_519000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6087293/Morgan-County/Indiana/Morgan-County-Commissioners-approve-rezone-contract-amendments-funding-items-and-more-commissioners-receive-treasurer-report","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087293-aa4fd1a71c9adfeddca4193bb02f5ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145210&Signature=KEqIH~QBN6Ic4vXAb1hVwjaIUE1qD14AwHyPnvuPzTf-KtaEQYH0DMkC1Q-VT5oNGYP-byxea0CuLUUSocujrqQkMAMMbc3TU3DuaTFHJBDiVBWPqGitS~qznoU59wrUCbNhRai7Fao6mVJv4YkoSzsUkINjSpk9ZxznnDY0GqBdf1Gn0OimWtEo4B2gui9bf7tJKoMtetuz~keBV4DNKi6b4mdCl1WX2-U-ZJ6gQeUNIGchidUlLmEFwDhLcJSukQyonJTGpHlj3rKukpPu9USH9o9udEls6BQyeTEq92THrDQzRRfoVfuYeSoyXcVxTyhKnaYhGm38qOaPfWpaqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morgan County IN","date","2025-04-07T19:49:55.36Z","article","The Morgan County Commissioners on April 7 handled a range of routine and substantive business: they approved payroll and claims, adopted a rezone ordinance for property on State Road 42, approved a contract amendment with Heritage Health Solutions, accepted the treasurer’s report and authorized several public-works and grant actions. Separately, they tabled the White River Greenway Trail plan for further review.

Key items and votes (all outcomes stated as recorded):

Votes at a glance
- Payroll and claims: Motion to approve total payroll and accounts payable equal to $4,564,849.64. Motion by Mr. Adams, second by Mr. Collier. Vote: 3-0, motion carried.
- Rezone ordinance (Mrs. Parker item 2025.3): Rezone on State Road 42 from AG to R1 with a Plan Commission recommendation of 6-0. Motion by Mr. Adams, second by Mr. Collier. Vote: 3-0, motion carried.
- Heritage Health Solutions Amendment No. 1 (medical contract): Motion by Mr. Adams, second by Mr. Collier. Vote: 3-0, amendment approved (see separate article on statutory pricing language).
- First Merchants credit-card agreement for tax payments (Elavon processing): Motion by Mr. Adams to approve agreement; second by Mr. Collier. Vote: 3-0, motion carried. County staff said the program charges a 3% fee to the user at time of payment; it was described as no cost to the county.
- CCMG contracts (three contracts totaling approximately $1,500,000 in state match funds): Motion by Mr. Adams to approve all three; second by Mr. Collier. Vote: 3-0, motion carried.
- Right-of-way performance bond for Town of Brooklyn sewer relocation: Motion to approve performance-bond requirement for contractor; motion and second recorded. Vote: 3-0, motion carried.
- NDOT State Road 42 unofficial detours (project continuation): Motion to approve unofficial detours; second by Mr. Clough. Vote: 3-0, motion carried. County staff noted the agreement obligates the state to pay for any restoration of local roads damaged by detour traffic if pre/post conditions can be demonstrated.
- Monroe Township EMS Capital Project Fund ordinance (Ordinance No. 2025-4): Motion to adopt ordinance and waive second reading; motion carried 3-0. Staff said $200,000 is currently available with an additional $400,000 plus interest scheduled in future payments under a previously negotiated agreement.
- Health Department immunization grant (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) in the amount of $14,839.12: Motion to apply for and accept the grant; motion carried 3-0.
- Rich Media SOPs for 9-1-1 dispatch: Motion to table; motion carried 3-0.
- Tort claim referral: Motion to forward a tort claim to the county’s insurance carrier; motion carried 3-0.

Treasurer’s report and tax-policy remarks
Treasurer Dan Baston presented the March monthly report and noted interest-earning accounts and certificate-of-deposit holdings. He reported $86,555,000 in CD investments and noted year-to-date interest figures for several accounts. Baston said he has been working to expand taxpayer payment options with local banks and expects tax statements to mail later in the week. During discussion Baston warned that proposed state-level changes that would remove a county’s ability to subsidize property taxes with local income tax could lead to substantially higher property tax bills locally; he said, “If you take away the ability of the county to fund property tax credits with income tax, you’re looking at an immediate, 33 to 35% increase in the property tax bills.”

Procedural notes and next steps
Several items were informational or advisory (the annual jail inspection report was presented and accepted as advisory). Staff said the medical-consultant reassignment to Heritage will appear on a future agenda for formal approval. The White River Greenway Trail plan was tabled; commissioners requested alternate-route analysis and additional public outreach before a final decision.

Ending: Most agenda items carried on unanimous 3-0 votes. The commission will receive follow-up materials on the trail alignment, the consultant reassignment and other budgetary or contractual items in subsequent meetings.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/7/2025 Board of Commissioners","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 7 meeting the Morgan County Commissioners approved payroll and claims, a zoning rezone on State Road 42, an amendment to the Heritage contract, multiple road and grant-related items, a county fund for Monroe Township EMS, and a number of operational items; several items were tabled including the White River Greenway Trail plan.","taxTitle","Morgan County, Indiana","taxId",63769,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087298,"Sheriff reports declining jail population, highlights mental-health and work-release programs",324,787000,1111000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01&start=787&end=1111","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01/thumbnail_787000.jpg","/articles/6087298/Morgan-County/Indiana/Sheriff-reports-declining-jail-population-highlights-mental-health-and-work-release-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087298-67fffae41a144d0defdf23963c7bdb3f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145210&Signature=oJYhChl6~RbBDbBbo88ypOdgwS-R3zzGKbguBZDiErWWUfLXShX8C8MKAWuM1on1Z9y~4R32fmAe6cv9THlNXDQAAtYheSNmrmQHvOjD7qgK3WZYTNOs8jueBo4t8hwSNJuVRAMCdVJn6-Zb~Fvc~qqGlEFS4LsKaWdzLLfrTx2KztrhEWMcl1muCNtqswntr4gq7fKAA-Tz-CQuJUKul9F0uX-QHn6faT7BBPMPLXTbfRqsja7NKQupI54kBUZGW4FoAsfmYcKGK6NvJCo-YvyajnjjIvPiU1QJrDtJaIVteo9twCKlVc7Sx8P4W0bR7CXtQ1EX3ykWToA1Mlt5iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan County Sheriff’s Office told commissioners on April 7 that the county jail population has fallen substantially over the past seven years and that the facility passed its annual inspection with no major findings.

Sheriff’s Office staff presented the annual jail inspection and said the facility’s population is holding around 208–212 inmates. The sheriff credited recent Department of Corrections restructuring for speeding inmate processing and reducing the local population. “Our overall intake has reduced over the past seven years quite a bit,” the presenter said.

The sheriff and commissioners discussed the jail’s mental-health services at length. Commission members praised the jail’s partnership-driven approach to behavioral-health care and addiction services. One commissioner said the report’s page on health services “is probably the biggest change” and commended staff for initiatives addressing addiction.

Staff also described the local work-release and community-corrections (CC) programs that allow eligible inmates to work, pay child support and contribute to county operations. The sheriff said the work-release program “has grown substantially over the past couple years” and generates revenue that helps sustain community programs.

The inspection and annual report were provided to the state, the circuit court and the county commission; staff said the report is advisory and does not require a formal vote. Commissioners expressed appreciation for the jail’s partnerships and for maintaining programs that reduce jail population pressure.

Ending: The commission accepted the jail inspection report as presented; staff will continue to monitor population and program metrics and report back as needed.

","Sheriff's annual jail inspection report showed the jail population has fallen compared with seven years ago; presenters credited Department of Corrections processing changes and local partner programs, and they highlighted expanding work-release revenue and mental-health services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087303,"Commissioners approve amendment to inmate medical contract, staff to present consultant reassignment next meeting",158,1206000,1364000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01&start=1206&end=1364","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01/thumbnail_1206000.jpg","/articles/6087303/Morgan-County/Indiana/Commissioners-approve-amendment-to-inmate-medical-contract-staff-to-present-consultant-reassignment-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087303-3fca7baf6734a6e8f453f94dd17e48a3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145210&Signature=gjDWDZGYWWaFiY5TXM4lXyLWWp~rNgLDGJrRZYEAjS02TOt~agJP1534w3Ovx2j~myebk9c-DVqel847rZRidcHkR7nlZKRHLc0TFQD5TbkaA2z~WbUXox101AyYxKCkR7ENyOdsN8wH7ukb~UrH2dzgOKd2~14TydZkswINuvtn1fmmCVQ2kPwG8fL7RoC81h1YKI6GLcuxl9GLDjsQPew2dUaXvwtrOkrWZw~nFH9sAghnH0UM2ust8PEBxdVJFE9EPe0nXmBjRbX7oda7rPLLsDUCzVNusDrhCWnwFXxTQWv8AgRICdOtElJXnPmvLpUSPvNyrsTdQR1mNjemOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan County Commissioners on April 7 approved an amendment to the county’s inmate medical contract with Heritage Health Solutions to add language required by Indiana law governing payment rates for inmate medical costs.

The amendment (Amendment No. 1 with Attachment B) clarifies that, per state statute enacted in 2012, the county’s statutory obligation for inmate medical payments is to pay the Medicaid rate plus 4 percent unless a lower negotiated rate is agreed. The amendment’s purpose, presenters said, is to put that statutory pricing approach explicitly into the contract language.

Sheriff’s Office representative David (presenting the annual jail inspection and operations report) explained the background: when the county shifted medical operations to Heritage it had inherited multiple individual service arrangements that omitted specific Indiana statutory language. “In Indiana… the Sheriff is obligated to pay Medicare or Medicaid plus 4%,” he said, adding that Heritage typically negotiates rates at or below that statutory level.

Commissioner Adams moved to approve Amendment No. 1 and Attachment B; Commissioner Collier seconded. The motion carried, 3-0.

In a related matter staff told the board the county’s medical consultant — who helps with compliance, nursing training and policy — has become an employee of Heritage and has requested reassignment of an existing consultant contract to Heritage. County counsel and staff said that reassignment requires board approval and that the reassignment item will appear on a subsequent meeting agenda. Staff emphasized the reassignment would not change contract terms, only the entity receiving payment.

Ending: The amendment to the Heritage contract passed 3-0. Commissioners asked staff to place the consultant reassignment item on the next meeting agenda and indicated they will review related contract terms when it returns.

","The board approved Amendment No. 1 to the county's contract with Heritage Health Solutions to add Indiana statutory pricing language; commissioners were also notified that a medical consultant contract will be reassigned to Heritage and will be on a future agenda.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":46,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6087308,"Morgan County Commissioners table White River Greenway Trail plan after sustained property-owner objections",2167,2228000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01&start=2228&end=4395","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2891207-9b329c34b05983cb7046e5f9ea427f01/thumbnail_2228000.jpg","/articles/6087308/Morgan-County/Indiana/Morgan-County-Commissioners-table-White-River-Greenway-Trail-plan-after-sustained-property-owner-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6087308-1472d385f38a1fd3e1ffb907b7121ec3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771145210&Signature=A73XxyGle073oSR26waq2BTGKQjxMXM0dB5O8~Or~rInHCW0VeZX3p8aQtZOuqkoIWpx6x0C8Zq2OuFQu5TnUwBl7m6olzItxfV5Ahl1exHGN4DEpxWSZxSz0rVRRHdbLIz9h7lMI~zWQ681VbsBke1fQY0AYepSsbelmP3TkdobZ6rlaTdmlRdfev0lv2YIYrTq-vYMmAHrFURSbGQdus-ujgADt2HSxI852-ssd4-CWecsqOrGyaznsE6vKQdsNxSAb8DRqKu5rr3Rj~uLfL~ZedYJIGNj9gilDZEMb03ysJwKr-E4BYZlqQimqSfZSL1oszKFtntBxE8oFktJfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan County Commissioners on April 7 unanimously tabled consideration of a countywide White River Greenway Trail plan after multiple property owners urged the panel to pause work and seek alternate routes.

The action came after roughly 75 minutes of public comment from landowners and farmers who said the proposed alignment, as shown in maps distributed to the public, would cross private farmland, utility easements and railroad right-of-way and in places follow creek corridors they said flood regularly. Commissioner Collier moved to table the plan so commissioners could review alternative routes; Commissioner Adams seconded. The motion carried, 3-0.

Why it matters: County staff and the consultant have pushed a multi-decade vision to connect existing parks and trails and make the county eligible for federal and state trail grants. Property owners said they support public trails in concept but object to the current mapped alignments, and many said they had not been directly approached about easements.

Speakers at length described concerns about flood-prone corridors, farm operations, pesticide and crop-spray exposure, and public-safety risks where trails would run near rail lines or through narrow backyards. Property owner Clint Cragan said the planned route “follows the railroad up to a point and makes some jogs” and warned that the corridor between Martinsville and the power plant “is not there” except for seasonal field access and would require repeated maintenance. Resident Patricia Saint said the route would affect “three critical infrastructures” — farmland, electricity easements and the railroad — and called the proposed alignment a “national security threat” for those reasons.

Several speakers called for clearer outreach. Dave Ferguson, an owner of farmland that appears on the maps, said he and his neighbors “would like to be in conversation” with county staff about future use of their property; Otis Pew Jr. related an earlier experience in which residents believed a route was already final and spent years resisting it.

County staff and the consultant explained the maps are an early-stage KML-based “guiding document,” not a binding acquisition plan. Kenny (county project lead) said the draft alignment is a starting point and that the map has been revised multiple times; he said final alignment depends on property-owner agreements and funding. Commissioners and staff stressed that the plan is intended to make the county competitive for grants such as National Park Service or Land and Water Conservation Fund awards and that formal easements or land purchases would require negotiated agreements with property owners.

Commissioner Collier asked that consultants develop and present feasible alternative corridors, specifically suggesting a route that would extend the Waverly Park trail to the Henderson Ford boat ramp as a potential connector that might avoid some private lands. The commission did not set a specific date to return the item but the motion to table was stated to allow more time for mapping alternatives and additional outreach.

Ending: Commissioners said the matter will return for further review after staff and the consultant prepare alternate alignments and additional public engagement. The tabling vote was 3-0.

","After more than an hour of public comment from landowners worried about flooding, liability and private-property impacts, the Morgan County Commissioners voted 3-0 to table final action on the White River Greenway Trail plan to allow review of alternative routes and additional outreach.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Morgan County Commissioners approve rezone, contract amendments, funding items and more; commissioners receive treasurer report

Sheriff reports declining jail population, highlights mental-health and work-release programs

Commissioners approve amendment to inmate medical contract, staff to present consultant reassignment next meeting

Morgan County Commissioners table White River Greenway Trail plan after sustained property-owner objections