Johnson County commissioners approve contracts, licenses, grants and a redevelopment appointment

Johnson County commissioners voted on a series of routine contracts, grant applications and license renewals during their Jan. 13, 2025 meeting at the Johnson County Courthouse.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding presented by Emergency Management to outline volunteer assistance from local churches; authorized Court Services to apply for the Indiana Department of Correction Division of Youth Services 2026 grant; raised a parks procurement credit-card limit for purchases tied to a new camp store; ratified multiple facility and construction contracts; approved an agreement to distribute Health First Indiana funds through Upstream Prevention pending legal review; and appointed Michelle Graves to the Redevelopment Commission to replace Brian Baird.

Why it matters: The measures were largely administrative but enable county departments to continue planned construction, service delivery and grant-funded programs. Several approvals also move construction and operations projects forward for county buildings and the Behavioral Health Center project.

Key actions taken (voice votes recorded as "motion carries" unless noted):

- Emergency Management: Approved memorandum of understanding with local churches to provide assistance during emergencies. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Court Services: Authorized submission of the FY2026 Indiana Department of Correction Division of Youth Services grant application. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Parks: Approved an increase in a Parks credit card limit from $5,000 to $10,000 to purchase appliances and supplies for a new camp store. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Maintenance: Approved Braden maintenance contract. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Highway: Ratified bid date for a roughly $2,000,000 structural mill-and-overlay project covering approximately 6.5 miles of major roads. Daniel Johnson, highway engineer, presented the item; motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Superior Court 1 facilities: Accepted lowest quotes and awarded contracts under IC 36-1-12-5 for carpet replacement (Burton), painting (Paintco) and window coverings/blinds (Indiana Blinds). Motions moved and seconded; outcomes: approved.

- Health Department: Approved an agreement with Upstream Prevention to distribute Health First Indiana funds (pending legal review). Betsy Speragin, health director, presented the award and said the county received funds Jan. 2; motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Licenses and contracts: Renewed ASCAP and SCSAC licenses for 2025; approved the 2025 contract for Johnson County litigation counsel Williams Barrett Wolkowski; ratified Fine Line change order 10141A for the Behavioral Health Center project; ratified a revised UMR Inc. contract; and ratified a revised CVS benefit plan summary for county health insurance. Each motion was moved and seconded and recorded as carried.

- Travel and conferences: Authorized elected officials and staff to attend several 2025 state and national conferences, including Association of Indiana Counties events, the Indiana County Commissioners Annual Conference and Purdue Road School. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Redevelopment Commission: Appointed Michelle Graves to the Redevelopment Commission to replace Brian Baird. Motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved.

- Administrative: Approved claims and the commissioners' minutes from the Dec. 9, 2024 regular meeting. Motions moved and seconded; outcomes: approved.

Meeting close: The board adjourned after public comment (none).