Commissioners approve bond conversion, authorize condemnation, renew cybersecurity contract and table auto item

The Miami County Board of County Commissioners on April 2 unanimously approved four formal actions: renewal of a managed cybersecurity agreement with ISG, adoption of a resolution to allow conversion of interest on the Public Building Commission (PBC) Series 2020B bonds from a taxable rate to a tax‑exempt rate, tabling an action item for one week to April 9, and authorizing the county counselor to file a condemnation action to acquire a right of way needed for the Bucyrus wastewater project.

The board moved quickly through the items with little debate. County Administrator Shane Kroll introduced the ISG managed preventative security renewal, saying the agreement “affords Miami County its, essentially online protections associated with, email” and includes employee training, firewall and web protections. Kroll reported a cost of $7,000 a month and said the agreement allows for an annual increase of up to 5 percent; he referred to license fees described in the agreement but did not specify exact license counts or amounts. Commissioner Vickery moved to instruct the chair to sign the ISG agreement; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Scruggs and passed unanimously.

A separate resolution authorizing conversion of interest on the Miami County Public Building Commission Series 2020B refunding bonds was presented after a staff briefing and outside financial advice. The resolution implements a planned step in a 2020 refinancing: converting the 2020B refunding bonds from a 3.5 percent taxable rate to a 2.6 percent tax‑exempt rate. The motion to adopt the resolution, moved by Commissioner Vaughn and seconded by Commissioner Diedeker, passed unanimously.

The board also moved, at Commissioner Vaughn's request, to table action item number 3 for one week; the motion (seconded by Commissioner Fritz) set the item to return at the April 9 meeting and was approved unanimously.

Finally, staff asked the board to authorize the county counselor to file a lawsuit seeking acquisition of the remaining easement needed for the Bucyrus wastewater project if the property owner did not sign the latest offer. The motion authorizes filing for acquisition of a tract identified in the motion as parcel ID 929005020 (referred to as Tract 7, Northwest Quarter Section 29, Township 15 South, Range 24 East of the 6th PM in Miami County) for the construction and maintenance of public utilities, namely a sewer line; just compensation is to be determined by court‑appointed appraisers. Commissioner Vaughn moved the authorization; Commissioner Vickery seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - ISG managed preventative security renewal agreement: Motion to instruct the chair to sign the agreement; mover: Commissioner Vickery; second: Commissioner Scruggs; outcome: approved (unanimous). County Administrator Shane Kroll said the contract is $7,000 per month and permits up to a 5% annual increase; exact license fee detail was not specified in the meeting record. - Resolution directing the Miami County Public Building Commission to proceed with tender and conversion of PBC Series 2020B bonds: Motion to adopt a resolution; mover: Commissioner Vaughn; second: Commissioner Diedeker; outcome: approved (unanimous). The conversion reduces interest on the 2020B refunding bonds from 3.5% (taxable) to 2.6% (tax‑exempt), per the presentation on the refinancing. - Action Item 3 (auto‑insurance/auto I — description not specified in transcript): Motion to table for one week to April 9; mover: Commissioner Vaughn; second: Commissioner Fritz; outcome: approved (unanimous). - Authorization to file for acquisition (condemnation) of easement for Bucyrus wastewater project: Motion to authorize the county counselor to file suit for acquisition of parcel ID 929005020 (Tract 7) for public utilities/sewer line; mover: Commissioner Vaughn; second: Commissioner Vickery; outcome: approved (unanimous). The motion specified compensation to be determined by court‑appointed appraisers and said staff would retract the filing if the owner signed the offered document before the filing deadline.

The board's votes were unanimous on each item. Several items were introduced with staff briefings but received little additional debate. The meeting record shows staff emphasizing timing concerns tied to federal and state funding for the Bucyrus sewer project and noting the ISG renewal had been discussed earlier in a study session.

The board moved on after the actions to staff reports and commissioner comments. The meeting adjourned at approximately 1:43 p.m.