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Commissioners deny request to take county's 'Stash Uncovered' trailer to Porter County health fair; open to negotiated sale
Summary
The county's tobacco-education coordinator asked to take the Stash Uncovered educational trailer to a Porter County health fair; commissioners denied the out-of-county loan but said they would consider selling the trailer to an outside organization if the buyer commits to servicing Marshall County.
Annette Haney, the Marshall County tobacco education coordinator, asked commissioners for permission to take the county's "Stash Uncovered" educational trailer to the Porter County Health Safety Fair on Aug. 9.
"I am here today to make a request to take the cargo trailer of Stash Uncovered to the Porter County Health Safety Fair on Saturday, August 9 from 11 to 2," Haney said. She said the county health department employee Schumacher had agreed to drive the trailer to the event.
Commissioners expressed concern the trailer was built for in-county educational use and said maintenance responsibility and the trailer's intended purpose weighed against approving an out-of-county loan. One commissioner noted maintenance had been inconsistent and that the trailer was intended to remain in Marshall County.
A motion to deny the request carried. Commissioners added a contingency: they said they would be open to negotiating a sale or donation of the trailer (including a nominal-dollar transfer) to another entity if that entity commits to continuing services for Marshall County.
Why it matters: The trailer contains classroom-style displays and demonstration materials used in local school outreach and county prevention programming. Commissioners said they did not want to set a precedent of sending county-owned education assets outside the county without clear maintenance and custody arrangements.
Clarifying details discussed publicly included whether the trailer was in good physical condition (no formal condition report was provided at the meeting) and that the county had occasionally paid for upgrades and maintenance. County officials said no formal valuation had been produced; a valuation was described as "not specified" at the meeting.
Outcome: Denial of the loan to take the trailer to Porter County; commissioners asked the health department to explore options to transfer ownership if a buyer or partner is willing to ensure continued service to Marshall County residents.
