Commissioners approve deaf‑child sign installation and waive parental cost; plan to codify policy

The Board of Commissioners authorized the county highway department to install a deaf‑child area sign on a county road and waived the parental cost previously required by policy.

Todd Lisman, Dearborn County engineer, described the county's existing policy, adopted after a 2010 request, that required parents or guardians to pay for sign materials and installation and that limited signs to children under age 13. "At the time, we created a policy that said ... for a deaf child that was under the age of 13," Lisman said, explaining the earlier safety rationale and the county's practice of placing a sign at each end of a residence.

Why it matters: Commissioners discussed whether the age cutoff or the cost requirement remain appropriate. Several commissioners and Lisman suggested the age limit and the single‑condition focus (deafness only) should be reexamined later; commissioners agreed to put the sign in place now and to pursue formal codification so the rule is visible in the county code.

Discussion and decision: Commissioners heard that the county already has spare signs from the earlier program and that installation cost using county equipment and two workers was estimated at roughly $250 when signs were on hand. Lisman said a completely new sign could cost about $450 in today's dollars. After discussion, a commissioner moved to install the sign and waive the cost; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Paul Feiner and approved. Commissioners also directed staff to prepare an ordinance for the county code so future staff can find the policy in writing.

Follow up: County staff will install the sign for the family on Mount Sinai Road, waive the fee, and draft an ordinance to present to commissioners for formal adoption. Commissioners said they will revisit the policy if future cases involve multiple disabilities such as autism or other comorbidities.