[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6151988,"mediaKeyId","5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44","parentId",5500795,"title","County attorney says property-owner meeting imminent in judicial center discussions; commissioners plan deadline for offer","audioSeconds",255,"startMs",4475000,"endMs",4730000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44&start=4475&end=4730","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44/thumbnail_4475000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6151988/Adams-County/Indiana/County-attorney-says-property-owner-meeting-imminent-in-judicial-center-discussions-commissioners-plan-deadline-for-offer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151988-9f70e45fcf733e404366bf60b2fe3353/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614359&Signature=L4K2x~dDx1W8qHrlumRQ3oYTK05gEfk47SyI2yyBNGaWta3ZTlj4JaTuScCl-rrWccVF7DgK1mK5hdM2Rmciwj5QM-PsLC-1XERMXIKkVXSl6~okW67ojKE6J1DmTb~LIbnz1UEeokd6xyMrrsANlKtDM9-WIarSfTzh312gjhlxvkdDtZsq42jqyrNv7Cbi0C8ljAououvCWQgfQ0qk6cZny4VOd1lxZIqALO6-LZF8HM2qd4SxKpPDZNXzhQtnzXNw8elNjaHcOZEu3-ayFa9ukFLZ6LFCpUE-B3MHvBXXNAVYFmXOH9FjBmAVGGnIyLJXI4XyM3XMlM2SAVD0aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Adams County IN","date","2025-07-28T15:04:15Z","article","Adams County’s attorney told commissioners Tuesday that property owners near the courthouse who are being considered for a possible judicial center are back in town and a meeting should be scheduled soon to discuss disposition options.

County attorney Clayton said he and court staff have been trying to coordinate a meeting with the property owners and their sons, who have expressed interest in helping determine the property's future. The meeting would include representatives from the circuit court as part of planning next steps for a potential judicial center site.

Commissioners said they want a short timeline for a response and asked staff to bring Stan to the next meeting so the board can set an expiration date for any offer. \"If they can't answer the question in two weeks, we've got other alternatives,\" one commissioner said, urging a firm deadline.

Why it matters: The disposition of the parcel across from the courthouse is part of longer-range space-planning discussions. Commissioners emphasized that the county must move forward if owners are unwilling to meet or negotiate within a short timeframe.

Next steps: Staff will continue to coordinate with the property owners and court staff; commissioners plan to set a firm expiration date for the county's interest in the property at a future meeting and asked Clayton to pursue scheduling and follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Commissioners Meeting 7/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","County officials said they are coordinating a meeting with the owners of the property being considered for a judicial center site and discussed setting a firm deadline after which the county will move on if negotiations stall.","taxTitle","Adams County, Indiana","taxId",70750,"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},6151993,"Health department seeks $30,000 software upgrade for vital records; commissioners told septic enforcement gaps exist",692,3791000,4483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44&start=3791&end=4483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44/thumbnail_3791000.jpg","/articles/6151993/Adams-County/Indiana/Health-department-seeks-30000-software-upgrade-for-vital-records-commissioners-told-septic-enforcement-gaps-exist","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151993-1d4393e7348e75124a8cb8b23c0127c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614359&Signature=AMxwE9P2wd9egdOVbxyGZkTFYNP2j1jDSH-yDUCXaafI8aQSDRQHzS0J6iQtzEOikGKXhRh71Ya76Uoz9Eu31zU8Zu2LgDNxBM44wiNs-0JfeBqr5cnSWOPSB8B9NX4hAYAreKhpiDb-K89eB2T7kIl3OPJddH10YdtSxsbE0PwQGAwIu~VbxTKFVT-9HA2KAfFdV4122-P4TD6acC1n9jPnyWloCn0n8IH8r3JGsR-TI2Y5TWH7v0FBiaArOp00-0pNHGmf3SQ8RuJA0puTcOXKnvZKZBcBq7fDumbxa2nmyyzNRVPOsdQBp~uWN0sC85syONWd9jsd2Hy7zeQkVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County’s health department asked commissioners for and received approval to purchase a $30,000 upgrade to its existing vital-records software, county staff said. Health director Jessica told the board the upgrade — an update with the current vendor rather than a new system — would allow staff to issue death certificates electronically, maintain an electronic database for historical death records, and automatically exchange data with the state system.

\"The upgrades will not only allow us to be more efficient in issuing these birth certificates, it will also allow us to issue death certificates. It will give us a receiving program because all of that right now is on paper,\" Jessica said. She said the county has the $30,000 in its budget and the developer recommended the upgrade after staff reported slow operation and occasional need for back‑door fixes.

Commissioners moved and seconded a request to permit the purchase; the motion passed. Staff did not provide a firm installation timeline in the meeting but indicated the vendor and local IT staff are coordinating operating-system and compatibility checks before proceeding.

Separately, the meeting included discussion about the environmental and septic inspection functions the health department performs. Jessica said county permits for septic systems are valid for two years and that the department relies on midwives and helpers to initiate birth registrations, which must occur within one year to be registered locally; otherwise families must go through the state process.

Commissioners and staff identified an enforcement gap after occupancy issuance: county building and planning staff certify occupancy but the health department lacks capacity to routinely re-inspect or enforce post‑move‑in septic and gray‑water requirements. Several commissioners said they would support adding enforcement capacity or clarifying processes to ensure occupied residences meet septic and gray‑water standards.

Next steps: The software upgrade was approved and county IT will work with the vendor on compatibility. Health and planning staff will outline enforcement needs and present options for enforcement resources to the commissioners for consideration.","The county health department asked commissioners to approve a $30,000 upgrade to its vital-records software to enable electronic death certificates and state integration; officials also discussed septic-permit enforcement and asked for more enforcement capacity.",{"_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},6151999,"EDC opens downtown office, pushes ‘Experience Adams County’ tourism effort and raises innkeeper-tax study",793,2255000,3048000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44&start=2255&end=3048","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44/thumbnail_2255000.jpg","/articles/6151999/Adams-County/Indiana/EDC-opens-downtown-office-pushes-Experience-Adams-County-tourism-effort-and-raises-innkeeper-tax-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6151999-8233d7c8384168fc2a1dfd63c215f04f/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614359&Signature=aH5OArgpgEcjteX~7TzDNskOrnHDP95QoNj4Dkxnz~vH4SyOs8x72H9EAggggojY-0CTTdYbl6t64dE947yoxBi4uzp~wg-x5bsRqHm15mFV-ACF6Jndr2U6zWP2VDIhC-Q81kizLcIf42EBlxvGSj27B-1IdGATIaGwJ6YkK0AD9IjKkRA1EbZ~pXnMUhmKTVOBE~m90WEShtnZtK1UUbyaEeg6jTRIi9H~e5RHS2VF-kXvttSXtf9V7CwytUNloLL3EU5SxfkHtSkq~1SXBp15qoZuVU5WvypE-yYnKr~uHx9hNdWL1i112k5e06fCF78lk5eHtHTifxdZ1XU44Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County’s Economic Development Corporation said Tuesday it has moved into a new downtown office and has started a modest, grant-funded tourism effort aimed at turning visitors into day-long customers for local businesses.

Colton Bickel, the EDC director, said the EDC transitioned into a new office on Third Street in downtown Decatur and will open its conference rooms to businesses and community groups. The office was primarily paid for with grant dollars and a small EDC reserve; the property remains city-owned while the grant is completed, Bickel said.

The EDC also hired a part-time tourism director, Kaylee, to build the county’s \"visitor economy\" under a new brand the agency calls Experience Adams County. Bickel said the role will focus on increasing everyday visitors who shop and eat locally, and on building partnerships with local festivals and attractions such as Pine Lake and the produce auction barn.

Funding and policy: Commissioners discussed innkeeper (hotel) taxes as a potential future funding source for tourism promotion. County staff said state statute generally allows a county innkeepers tax of 4 percent and that counties may increase to 6 percent under certain conditions; an ordinance adopted by the county fiscal body would be required and the county would typically form a commission to oversee revenues and expenditures. Bickel said he would compile example ordinances from other Indiana counties for the board to review.

Economic programs: Bickel summarized the EDC’s business-retention work and its revolving loan fund, which can award loans up to $250,000 for local expansion and gap financing. He said the EDC is working on workforce-development training in partnership with regional partners and Ivy Tech.

Next steps: Commissioners asked the EDC to send sample innkeeper-tax ordinances and to continue promoting the new downtown office as a resource for local businesses. No formal action was taken Tuesday.","The county economic development corporation moved into a Downtown Decatur office, launched a part-time tourism position focused on a 'visitor economy' brand, and commissioners asked for a short study of county innkeeper-tax options used elsewhere in Indiana.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6152003,"County engineers report precast bridge shipment, large box culverts and guardrail grants in progress",431,1332000,1763000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44&start=1332&end=1763","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44/thumbnail_1332000.jpg","/articles/6152003/Adams-County/Indiana/County-engineers-report-precast-bridge-shipment-large-box-culverts-and-guardrail-grants-in-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152003-26b86f5c7be3e178e339726797927b6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614359&Signature=kVddGL3pwOdiqUTDXyXJXxfClupvSWBEWfCKOnMHTiwT0pKY7M~SKngpY-vlEa7bBxLI9ILnkPOZDv0Fp0IKHahSKWeN6WE2gO5xfsoNcvv0eyb-Rg7G1g3v1pKU6eG22jVnAZeiRxY8-~-bfI734BRm5gfXcZg5ciNm-IWPHsRqpiAXKryw-KFNVqIOE09oe4QP8ZReUsWDRg3ySlHW7xQG0AfmhLlqYBVt2bJpgOWU6RORKsgNw2HbANc2SRJtSekbxYy4bTtHOiA2hjpYcdONhighP6vzrFSdT39xb2mC4gEjEghqFTNQGvWlWSryJjl~mualJJTbrU0IrMWA1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County highway staff told commissioners Tuesday that major construction is underway on several road and bridge projects including two large box culverts, a guardrail repair job and a precast bridge scheduled for shipment in August.

The most advanced work is a replacement of two undersized or undermined culverts, one described as nine sections of a 53,000‑pound precast box per section. Highway Superintendent Nate said crews set the heavy sections and crews will complete pavement restoration and final touches, including gabion baskets and asphalt, pending supplier schedules.

Bridge 180, which spans the intersection of 650 West and 825 South, is scheduled for precast shipment in August and should take five to seven weeks of work on site, Nate said. Because the bridge sits at a crossroads, the project will require a full intersection closure during installation and subsequent restoration work.

Nate also updated the board on a guardrail safety grant. The state Department of Transportation had issued a pre-proposal document for construction inspection; consultant proposals are due Sept. 4. Separate guardrail damage from bank erosion and a crash will require short lane closures as contractors replace in-kind rail and repair bank damage.

Other updates: County Road 700 South concrete work is underway; crews hope to have the road open by the start of school in early August. Chip sealing is down to roughly 20 miles remaining; chip/seal support equipment has intermittent availability as the county’s sweeper and chipper were reported down and weather slowed work.

Why it matters: The culvert and bridge replacements address undermining and load‑posting problems that had reduced structural capacity and increased public-safety risk. Officials said the larger precast structures are intended to provide 65–75 years of service life and added channel capacity for future ditch maintenance.

Traffic impacts: Drivers should expect one‑lane work zones on guardrail repair sites and a full closure at the Bridge 180 intersection during the precast installation. County staff said they will coordinate notifications for closures and suggested using an app or other county communication tools to better inform residents about road work.

No formal votes were required for the updates; staff will continue coordinating contractor schedules and public notices.","Highway staff updated commissioners on two large box culvert installations, an August precast bridge shipment and guardrail safety grant procurement; contractors will do lane closures and finish restoration in coming weeks.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6152008,"Adams County discusses charging cities for IT labor, seeks insurer answer on network coverage",559,668000,1227000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44&start=668&end=1227","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5500795-a36316ef18bb07014604fbef2ab46e44/thumbnail_668000.jpg","/articles/6152008/Adams-County/Indiana/Adams-County-discusses-charging-cities-for-IT-labor-seeks-insurer-answer-on-network-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6152008-1eef2fceece28bd1ba0f2e4e51cff421/orig.mp4?Expires=1773614359&Signature=EGsXjGtOEEhb~kvVA9TfQ1wZdVi7JeEBsPlnDrPSvvZGKXgkjT5w6lweEN9C7F1d3bX9C1749c-~NS8qXtEkWZVdC7Q9cAi~Na73RZ-LsgKoj1qvYi343oty91YYthKMZHT~W6Dycety1EHO-3DFBji3BUu5Cqq8pUifSVkcaSS02FkAqyJY~KhxqKD5JSgZZFpmcwkLh1hhjvphUTSPnoeH7Nc0LIxD1JylC-wm7QxUja2LW8AGyiaYc19qNxtQUB5WjSFewOJGZ06ylDI2z68XyuctRE4Juump3dpqv2qsYeBVlrdtUOae1p37~r8Q6R0pKJUbZc1fTc76BtECjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County commissioners on Tuesday discussed adding a labor-and-mileage charge to existing interlocal agreements that let towns and certain agencies use county IT services. Commissioners and staff said the county would prorate IT labor costs by the number of users each entity places on the network and said the change likely could not be implemented until the 2027 budget year because municipalities are already preparing 2026 budgets.

The issue arose after conversations with several municipalities, fire departments and the city of Decatur about how to account for county IT staff time. Commissioner Tony raised the matter and said county IT manager Mike and two other technicians — Bob and Ethan — had their combined wages proposed to be divided by total users to arrive at a per-user labor charge. \"If they have 15 users, we took the wages of Bob, Mike, and Ethan, total wage divided by 15 users. That was the amount we came up with for their payment for labor,\" Tony said.

Why it matters: partner towns currently pay for equipment and fiber under interlocal agreements but not for county staff time spent supporting their systems. County leaders said adding a labor charge would make costs transparent, avoid tracking hourly time per site, and create a predictable budget line for partners.

What was proposed: County staff suggested (1) allocate fringe benefits for the IT staff across total users, (2) bill each entity for its number of users, and (3) continue charging units separately for equipment plus a modest mileage fee. Commissioners said that baseline method would be easy for partner entities to understand and that they would gather total user counts from each municipality before finalizing numbers.

Open questions and next steps: Shannon and other staff will compile user counts and scope. Commissioner Tony said he will contact Travelers, the county's cyber insurer, to determine whether a ransomware or cyber claim arising from an outside user on the county network would be covered. \"If somebody is found to have come in with ransomware through one of the outside users, is Travelers going to cover that? Or are they going to say, we're covering county, we're not covering them?\" he asked. County leaders said they have not yet received a clear answer from the insurer and will pursue clarification before finalizing any interlocal amendment.

Timeline: Commissioners noted that many partner governments submit 2026 budgets now; the county may therefore collect user data and develop the amended interlocal agreement in 2026 for implementation in 2027. They also discussed whether a commissioner and a council member should attend meetings with each entity when the county presents the proposed changes.

No formal ordinance or vote was taken Tuesday. Staff were directed to (1) gather user-count data from partner entities, (2) contact Travelers for cyber-insurance coverage guidance, and (3) prepare an updated interlocal agreement for review with input from county legal staff.","County officials discussed amending interlocal agreements to charge partner towns and fire departments for IT labor and mileage, agreed on a user-based proration method in principle, and said they will ask Travelers whether its cyber insurance would cover outside users on the county network.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County attorney says property-owner meeting imminent in judicial center discussions; commissioners plan deadline for offer

Health department seeks $30,000 software upgrade for vital records; commissioners told septic enforcement gaps exist

EDC opens downtown office, pushes ‘Experience Adams County’ tourism effort and raises innkeeper-tax study

County engineers report precast bridge shipment, large box culverts and guardrail grants in progress

Adams County discusses charging cities for IT labor, seeks insurer answer on network coverage