Marshall County commissioners approve building purchase, several contracts and grant commitments; discuss Linden Road and Lake Latonka sewer concerns

Marshall County commissioners met March 3 in Plymouth and approved a series of procurement and funding items while debating how to position several large highway projects for state funding.

The most consequential action was approval to proceed with a $450,000 purchase of the county’s proposed office location, the former Bowen building, with a $250,000 payment at closing and two subsequent $100,000 payments at one- and two-year anniversaries. Commissioners authorized the county president to sign purchase documents pending the county council’s funding approval.

The meeting opened with highway updates from Jason of the highway department, who reported submitted permit work, ongoing bridge inspections and a push from the state for localities to underwrite portions of preliminary engineering (PE) to improve a project’s competitiveness for limited INDOT funds. Commissioners pressed staff on the scale of that ask and on alternatives short of committing large sums up front.

Jason and county staff outlined a menu of projects advertised by the state for PE support—Linden Road, a guardrail replacement at North Michigan (near a railroad bridge), and several safety items including speed trailers. Commissioners discussed the risks of committing large sums for PE (one cited figure for Linden Road was $868,000) if the county did not ultimately receive construction funding; staff stated that PE paid now could be credited on future applications if the project is not awarded in the current round.

After debate, the board voted to partially fund the PE cost for the guardrail and the speed-trailer safety grants and to pay those amounts from the Local Roads and Streets (LRS) fund. Commissioners described the decision as a limited commitment intended to improve competitiveness for roughly $1.4 million in PE requests countywide; no single member recorded substantive opposition during the roll call.

Commissioners approved several routine contracts and agreements in a single consent-style sequence: two striping contracts (contract numbers 91575 and 91576) covering PE and construction phases of countywide striping; Hyperwave renewals for VoIP service and an IT-services agreement (new flat rate of $100 per hour); a 12-month clerk equipment service agreement ($239 annually); and a prepay request to take delivery of a 2025 Ford F-250 for highway ($47,635). The board also approved an agreement with the Indiana Diaper Bank for $5,970, and an equipment/software purchase tied to an EV charging grant: an upfront software/equipment cost of $6,840 (highway will pay the first year) and an annual subscription estimated at $5,690 thereafter.

In legal and policy items, county attorney Sean Turner reported that a council lawsuit against the commissioners and Tamarac Solar was dismissed without prejudice in Elkhart Superior Court, allowing the parties to revisit claims later if necessary. The board also agreed to support the BZA’s decision to retain Holler & Colvin (Bob Aaronman) for the Tamarac Solar appeal and to pay for county counsel’s participation from the commissioners’ legal budget.

Tom Kavanaugh, president and CEO of the Northern Indiana Workforce Board, asked commissioners to sign a chief-elected-official agreement required by state workforce rules. The commissioners approved the requested signature, designating the president to sign on behalf of Marshall County. Janice Holiday, executive director of the Marshall County Council on Aging, asked commissioners to remain the pass-through applicant for certain state transportation funds; the board voted to continue the county’s pass-through arrangement for the 2026 application.

The board passed ordinance 2025-6 on second and third reading (a $10 fee for transfer of mobile-home titles), effective immediately, and approved the Marshall County Health Department’s Indiana Diaper Bank agreement ($5,970) to continue local diaper distribution.

Commissioners approved an engagement to purchase the former Bowen building contingent on council funds being in place, and they authorized the president to sign purchase documents after the council acts. The board approved the engagement letter with Holler & Colvin for BZA litigation support and asked county staff to coordinate with the council on any needed budget transfers.

Public comment included concerns about the Lake Latonka sewer district. One commissioner summarized the concern: the district has already incurred roughly $500,000 in pre-construction debt, has applied for grants that may be reduced, and faces estimates (as discussed at the sewer board meetings) of roughly $220 per household per month if the grants do not materialize. Commissioners urged the public and appointees to provide updates; one commissioner asked the sewer district’s president to present to the council and commissioners to clarify the district’s plans and debt structure.

Several governance and personnel items were raised by commissioners. One commissioner asked staff to research an employee “climate” survey and for expanded professional development; commissioners authorized pursuing a fraternization policy (send to HR for drafting and review). The board also directed county staff to start a review process—coordinated with the county council—about transparency and financial reporting from outside organizations that receive county funds.

The meeting concluded after routine approvals of minutes, AP and payroll claims, and other procedural items. Commissioners scheduled follow-up work sessions on the larger highway funding decisions before the state’s March 12 deadline.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to approve funding the preliminary-engineering portion of the guardrail and speed-trailer safety grants from Local Roads and Streets (LRS): approved (motion carried). - Motion to approve $6,840 upfront equipment/software purchase for the EV grant (highway to pay first-year costs): approved. - Motion to approve countywide striping contracts 91575 (PE) and 91576 (construction), with the president signing on behalf of the board: approved. - Motion to renew/approve Hyperwave VoIP contract and Hyperwave IT services agreement (new flat $100/hr rate): both approved. - Motion to approve Indiana Diaper Bank agreement for Marshall County Health Department ($5,970): approved. - Motion to approve 12-month clerk service agreement ($239): approved. - Motion to approve prepayment for 2025 Ford F-250 (highway equipment) in the amount of $47,635: approved. - Motion to approve the chief-elected-official agreement for Northern Indiana Workforce Board (WIOA oversight), president signing on behalf of county: approved. - Motion to continue county pass-through status for Marshall County Council on Aging transportation grant application (2026): approved. - Motion to suspend rules and pass Ordinance 2025-6 (mobile home title transfer fee of $10) on second and third reading, effective immediately: approved. - Motion to engage Holler & Colvin (Bob Aaronman) to support BZA litigation (Tamarac Solar appeal): approved. - Motion to approve purchase of former Bowen building for $450,000, payment schedule $250,000 at closing + two $100,000 payments next two years, pending county council funding approval; president authorized to sign purchase documents: approved pending council funding. - Motions to approve meeting minutes, AP claims and payroll claims: approved.

What happens next

Commissioners asked staff to schedule a work session before March 12 to refine which projects (if any) the county will commit PE funds toward and how commitments will be sequenced against the county’s highway budget. Staff will also docket an update from the Lake Latonka sewer district if the board requests it, and HR will begin drafting a fraternization policy for review. The county will forward purchase and contract documents to title and contracting partners to complete closings and signature pages following the council’s funding actions.