The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Oct. 13 to release and set dates for demolition bids, approve several tax-increment financing appropriations, authorize two independent contractor agreements for future highway work and approve a $40,000 drug-free community grant aimed at countering youth tobacco and vaping use.

The actions matter because they authorize county spending and contracting that will affect infrastructure projects, public health programming and property cleanup across Elkhart County. Commissioners also publicly set bid opening dates so the public and potential bidders are aware.

County building and legal staff asked the board to release bids for demolition at 51606 Downey Street, citing an abandoned, fire-damaged property with squatters. Kevin Williams, county building commissioner, told the board it is “a house that burnt” and “completely abandoned.” Steve Olson, county attorney, said the bid opening was identified as Nov. 17, 2025, to align with public notice requirements. The board approved releasing bids for that property.

The board also approved suspending demolition activity for 220 East Wabash after staff said the property had been sold and the new owner provided a plan to remodel rather than demolish. Commissioners set a future bid release date of Feb. 16, 2026, and a bid opening of March 23, 2026, that would be used if the work is not completed before then.

On financing, the board approved four additional appropriations from various Middlebury and South Benton TIF funds: $400,000 from the Middlebury Southeast TIF for a County Road 20 utility extension; $250,000 from the South Benton TIF for Bridge 332 construction; $500,000 from the Middlebury East TIF for wastewater treatment plant expansion design; and $1,000,000 from the State Route 13 Interchange TIF fund for wastewater treatment. Planning staff said the TIF requests will go next to county council for final action.

The board authorized independent contractor agreements with SWCA Inc. and United Consulting Engineers, with Steve Olson saying these agreements set standard terms and do not approve specific task orders or projects. Commissioners approved the county’s application for a $40,000 drug-free community grant; Andrew Biles of the health department said the funds would support counter-vaping and tobacco programs in schools and a community education event.

All motions recorded at the meeting carried unanimously. No separations, recusals or roll-call dissent were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of minutes (Oct. 6) and allowance of claims: approved (unanimous).
- Release bids for demolition, 51606 Downey Street: approved (unanimous). Bid opening identified as Nov. 17, 2025.
- Suspend demolition release for 220 East Wabash (pending owner remodel plan): approved (unanimous). Potential bid release set for Feb. 16, 2026; bid opening March 23, 2026 if work incomplete.
- Additional appropriation — Middlebury Southeast TIF $400,000 (County Road 20 utility extension): approved (unanimous).
- Additional appropriation — South Benton TIF $250,000 (Bridge 332 construction): approved (unanimous).
- Additional appropriation — Middlebury East TIF $500,000 (WWTP expansion design): approved (unanimous).
- Additional appropriation — State Route 13 Interchange TIF $1,000,000 (wastewater treatment): approved (unanimous).
- Independent contractor agreement — SWCA Inc.: approved (unanimous).
- Independent contractor agreement — United Consulting Engineers: approved (unanimous).
- Apply for Drug-Free Community grant, $40,000: approved (unanimous).

Ending: The actions approved on Oct. 13 set several projects and contracting paths in motion; several items (notably the TIF appropriations) move next to county council for additional approvals and implementation details.