Perry County commissioners approve routine claims, sign Community Crossings commitment and approve HVAC replacement; highway truck bids opened

PERRY COUNTY, Ind. — Perry County Commissioners on Oct. 21 approved a series of routine financial claims, authorized staff to sign a financial commitment letter for Community Crossings grant applications and approved a furnace replacement bid for the South Annex building. Commissioners also opened multiple bids for highway trucks and voted to take the bids under advisement for later review.

The board opened the meeting by approving the agenda as presented. The commissioners then heard public comment and proceeded to several consent items.

Votes at a glance

- Agenda: Commissioner motion to approve the meeting agenda as presented — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- South Annex HVAC: Motion to approve Valley Supply option 1 to replace the gas furnace at the South Annex at a cost of $1,910 — outcome: approved (motion seconded; voice vote). The motion identified “option 1” and Valley Supply as the selected vendor.

- Financial commitment letter (Community Crossings grants, 2026): Motion to authorize the signing of a financial commitment letter in support of Perry County’s Community Crossings grant application for 2026 — outcome: approved (motion seconded; voice vote). Staff said the letter must be signed before the end of the month.

- Approval of minutes (Oct. 6, 2025): Motion to approve minutes — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Payroll (10/10/2025): Motion to approve payroll in the amount of $185,219.12 — outcome: approved (voice vote). Commissioners noted a separate payroll-withholding line for the same date appeared incorrect and tabled that withholding item for follow-up.

- Health claims: Motion to approve health claims totaling $46,576.70 — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Solid Waste claims (10/21/2025): Motion to approve claims, with a $400 reclassification (final amount $6,679.96) — outcome: approved (voice vote). The meeting record shows the $400 electrical labor charge for a Branchville compactor was moved to a different account.

- Accounts payable docket (10/21/2025): Motion to approve accounts payable in the amount of $806,640.83 (reflecting the $400 adjustment) — outcome: approved (voice vote).

- Highway truck procurement: Commissioners opened bids from multiple vendors (Kentucky Truck Sales; Stoops; Bomac; Womack; Palmer Trucks; Truck Center Inc.; and others) for replacement highway trucks and associated bodies. Commissioners voted to take the bids under advisement and review them before awarding any contract.

Minutes and claims

The board approved the Oct. 6 minutes and the listed claims after brief staff explanations. The payroll item for Oct. 10, 2025, was approved for the total payroll amount reported; a separate withholding entry for the same date was identified as incorrect and was tabled pending correction.

Procurement and next steps

Greg Hendershot, identified in the meeting as parks and recreation building-maintenance staff, presented the HVAC replacement request for the South Annex. The commission approved Valley Supply’s option 1 bid to replace the gas furnace at a cost of $1,910.

County staff opened a competitive procurement process for at least one highway truck and multiple body-builder options. Bidders included regional truck dealers and body manufacturers; staff described differing base chassis and accessory pricing across suppliers. Commissioners did not award a contract on Oct. 21; they voted to review the bids and return with a recommendation.

The commissioners set the next meeting for Monday, Nov. 3, 2025, at 9 a.m.