Commissioners approve seized-funds account, nuisance code change and a slate of administrative agreements

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 9 approved a package of administrative agreements and ordinances, including an ordinance authorizing the sheriff’s office to deposit seized cash into a county-maintained account, a final reading of a nuisance-code amendment, a no-cost cooperative data-sharing agreement with the Indiana Department of Health, and several operational agreements and leases.

Votes at a glance - Ordinance CODOT09-25-018 (establish sheriff’s office seized funds account): approved by roll call — Commissioner Gable: yes; Commissioner Canterbury: yes; President Elpers: yes. The board waived second reading and approved first and final reading the same day. - Ordinance CODOT08-25-017 (amend Chapter 8.16 — nuisances): approved on final reading by roll call — Commissioner Gable: yes; Commissioner Canterbury: yes; President Elpers: yes. - Health Department cooperative data agreement with the Indiana Department of Health (no cost): approved by roll call — unanimous. - Old Courthouse event lease with Craftworks Inc. for the 2025 craft show (49th annual): approved by roll call — unanimous. - County-issued credit card, $1,500 limit, for postage and vendor payments: approved by roll call — unanimous. - First amendment to fiscal sponsorship agreement between Old Courthouse Foundation and Veterans Coliseum Preservation Foundation (transfer of ARPA-held funds following IRS 501(c)(3) determination): approved by roll call — unanimous. - Interlocal agreement with Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission to provide temporary administrative support and office space for its executive director: approved by roll call — unanimous.

Sheriff’s seized funds account

The sheriff told commissioners the office historically logged seized cash into the evidence room. The ordinance (CODOT09-25-018) would permit depositing such funds into a county-maintained bank account to allow monthly reconciliation and controls. The sheriff said roughly $25,000 to $35,000 is currently in custody and described internal controls: the evidence technician would manage the account with the internal affairs lieutenant as a second signatory; disbursements would require at least two signatures. The sheriff said the ordinance provides a procedure to return funds to lawful owners or revert unclaimed funds to the general fund consistent with statute.

Public comment was solicited before the recorded votes and none was offered on these items.

Other administrative items

The board approved a no-cost cooperative data agreement that allows the Vanderburgh County Health Department to access testing data from the Indiana Department of Health for local reporting and stakeholder sharing. Commissioners also approved a county lease allowing Craftworks Inc. to use public hallway and unrented room space in the Old Courthouse for the 49th annual craft show in November. The board approved a $1,500 county credit card to cover postage and vendors that do not accept government checks; the building superintendent said she had personally been paying some vendor charges and sought the card to avoid personal reimbursement.

The board also approved a first amendment to a fiscal sponsorship agreement permitting the Old Courthouse Foundation to transfer funds it held temporarily for the Veterans Coliseum Preservation Foundation after the Veterans board received IRS recognition of 501(c)(3) status in June. Separately, commissioners authorized an interlocal agreement allowing the newly hired executive director of the Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission, identified in the meeting as Justin Dixon, to continue using office space and some administrative support in the surveyor’s office on a temporary basis; the item envisions a future memorandum of understanding to define any shared services costs.

Department update

Scott, identified as executive director of the Ford Center and ONAP, gave a brief operational update describing ongoing management work to resolve legacy issues and to move from reactionary to proactive operations. He thanked county staff for assistance with a recent payroll issue.

The board approved the consent items and adjourned without public comment on other matters.