Floyd County commissioners approve landfill RFP, two vehicle transfers and $50,000 tax‑sale settlement; Blackston Mill Bridge work paused pending DNR review

The Floyd County Board of Commissioners on March 4 approved a set of resolutions and contracts aimed at producing new revenue streams, clarifying equipment use and resolving a contested tax‑sale dispute — and heard an update that Blackston Mill Bridge (Bridge 51) remains closed while the Indiana Department of Natural Resources reviews proposed creek work.

The actions included a resolution authorizing Clark County to lead an RFP to identify a developer to build, finance, own and operate a landfill‑gas‑to‑renewable‑natural‑gas (RNG) facility at the Clark‑Floyd landfill site; two joint resolutions accepting surplus 2011 Ford F‑150 SuperCrew trucks from Highlander Fire Protection District for county emergency management and the coroner's office; approval of an addendum to the recorder’s software contract with Fiddler Technologies (Bastian license agreement); and authorization for county leaders to sign an agreed entry to settle litigation over the Galena Library Annex for $50,000.

Why it matters: The landfill RFP could create a long‑term revenue stream if a developer builds an LFG‑to‑RNG plant and shares royalties with the counties. The vehicle transfers relieve recurring service contracts (by freeing ambulances or private transport) and reduce recurring expenses. The settlement closes a multi‑year tax‑sale dispute, avoiding continued litigation costs. The bridge update affects public safety and regional access while DNR reviews plans.

Bridge 51 update County staff reported they conducted emergency work at the Blackston Mill Bridge site after a dam failure, including temporary fill and debris removal to re‑establish flow. The county has not filled the breach and will submit plans to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources before any additional work, county staff said. Officials said they are waiting for water levels to recede before evaluating the bridge foundation and determining when and to what level the bridge can be reopened; information will be posted on the county website.

Landfill gas RFP Floyd County Resolution 2025‑05 directs Clark County to take the lead in preparing an RFP to find a developer to finance, build, own, operate and maintain an LFG‑to‑RNG facility at the Clark‑Floyd landfill and to enter into a contract with any selected developer to market RNG and share royalties with the counties. County attorneys said the project is likely years from producing revenue; commissioners approved the resolution by voice vote. The commissioners noted the measure is intended to identify private partners and that any revenue realization will follow development and contracting.

Vehicle transfers and equipment The board approved two joint resolutions (FCR2025‑03 and FCR2025‑04) accepting surplus vehicles from the Highlander Fire Protection District: one identified for emergency management use and one to be upfitted for the coroner’s office to transport deceased individuals. Commissioners conditioned acceptance on a written vehicle‑usage policy and clarified that titles for the vehicles will list “Floyd County, Indiana.” The resolutions were approved by voice vote. Commissioners and county staff said gasoline and upfitting costs will be covered in county budgets.

Recorder contract addendum The board approved an addendum to the recorder’s existing contract with Fiddler Technologies (referred to in materials as a Bastian license agreement). County attorneys reviewed the form and approved execution by the recorder.

Tax‑sale litigation settlement County Attorney Rick Fox outlined the timeline of a contested tax sale involving the Galena Library Annex: tax sale in October 2023, the county’s awareness and court filings in late 2024, negotiations with the purchaser (Sabre Investments) and counteroffers, and the commissioners’ decision to resolve the matter. The county agreed to a $50,000 settlement; county staff said funds will come from approximately $87,000 collected in 2024 excess property sale proceeds. Commissioners voted to approve the agreed entry to resolve all pending issues in the tax‑sale litigation.

Georgetown Township fire district petition Keith Pulliam, representing Georgetown Township Fire Protection District, asked the board to allow the district to file a petition to appeal for an increase to its fire operating fund tax rate under Indiana Code 6‑1.1‑18‑29. Commissioners approved allowing the petition to proceed; staff noted April 1 is a filing deadline.

Appointments, minutes and routine business The board confirmed a nomination of Billy Stewart to the Highlander Fire Protection District board, approved meeting minutes from Feb. 18 and approved payroll and claims.

Public comment and related county matters During public comment, resident Alain Owen raised ongoing stormwater and basement flooding concerns in the Hauser Heights area and said he has repeatedly sought county and city help; commissioners and staff offered to follow up after the meeting. Separately, Parker Fletcher, an outreach representative for the Indiana attorney general’s office, presented information about the state’s unclaimed‑property program and urged residents to check indianaunclaimed.gov for possible funds.

Next steps County staff said they will submit plans to the DNR for work near the Blackston Mill Bridge and will update the county website as conditions change. Commissioners set their next meeting for March 18 at 6 p.m.