Commissioners approve routine claims, permits, subdivisions and appointments; schedule public hearing on horse-drawn ordinance

The Adams County Commission approved a set of routine administrative items and heard several staff updates during the meeting.

Approvals and claims - The board approved payroll and a Denver third payroll claim totaling $387,115.07. - The commission approved Eastern Alliance workers’ compensation deductible reimbursements for 2024 in the amount of $1,012.21. - Allied weekly health insurance claims were presented totaling $77,655.45 (prescription $57,410.34; medical $19,005.19; backup withholding $7.25). Commissioners approved these claims and related signature verifications. - The board accepted the clerk’s monthly report and approved payroll timecard reports for department heads.

Permits and public works approvals - The commissioners approved two permits: a NIPSCO gas service installation on 250 West between 750 North and 900 North, and an I&M electrical upgrade on County Road 500 East between State Road 124 and 100 South.

Subdivision and plat approvals - The board approved the John V. Lindsey subdivision (approximately 80 acres with a 2-acre lot and a 78-acre remainder) in Hartford Township. - A separate minor boundary adjustment (location described as near 300 East) was approved.

Appointments and reappointments - The commissioners approved a slate of one-year and multi-year appointments and reappointments, including the reappointment of Paul Runkel to the Plan Commission and Chauncey Cook as Soil & Water director (appointment form signed). The meeting record lists multiple board reappointments across advisory boards and commissions; commissioners voted to appoint the individuals reviewed in the meeting materials.

Ordinance public hearing - The county attorney’s office confirmed a public hearing for a proposed horse‑drawn vehicle ordinance has been advertised and will be held at the start of next Tuesday’s meeting; the attorney asked that “consideration for adoption” be added to next week’s agenda.

Records shredding and retention - Staff reported that paper records at Gold Meadows have been scanned and that the county can schedule ProShred to destroy the paper records on Feb. 6. Staff estimated the cost at roughly $500 (based on tote charges) and suggested using a county preservation-of-records budget line; the commissioners asked staff to coordinate with other departments so the shred truck can serve multiple departments on the same trip and to confirm retention-schedule compliance with the state records contact (Sandy). The Public Records Commission meeting was noted as scheduled for March 19 at 9 a.m. in the Circuit Court jury room.

Human resources and travel - Shannon, serving in a human-resources role, received approval to attend two conferences (an annual HR seminar and a legislative conference session focused on HR topics); the county will cover allowable travel costs and mileage.

Broadband support letter - Commissioners discussed an incoming request from Comcast for a support letter for a broadband funding application; staff will review the draft and return with a recommendation. Staff said a small local financial commitment (the company’s draft asked for a modest local contribution, possibly as little as $10,000) might be requested if Comcast is awarded grant funding; no funding decision was made at the meeting.

Other routine matters - The board accepted two subdivision plats and addressed several consent items by motion; motions were recorded as passed with no roll-call tallies included in the provided transcript.

Provenance: The approvals and votes above are documented across the transcript in sections where the clerk presented claims, staff presented permits and plat maps, and commissioners made motions that were recorded as passed.