Elkhart County commissioners approve bridge and courthouse spending, open bids for final 2025 paving package

The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners approved multiple appropriations and task orders on Sept. 2, 2025, including funding for bridge design and construction, a task order for courthouse architectural services, and various highway-related contracts, and opened bids for the county's final 2025 paving package.

County Attorney Steve Olsen said the board also approved a Title VI implementation plan required by the Indiana Department of Transportation to maintain federal grant eligibility for highway projects.

Why it matters: the measures authorize preliminary design, right-of-way acquisition and local matching funds tied to federal grants for county bridges and road projects, advance work on a historic courthouse renovation, and formalize the county's participation in a national opioid settlement that could bring funds to the county.

The board opened bids for the 2025-2 paving package and directed highway staff to review the bids and return with a recommendation. Charlie McKenzie of the highway department read the two offers on the record: "The first bid is from Niblock Excavating. Niblock Excavating's bid is $2,397,221.00. The second bid is from Reath Riley Construction Company. Reath Riley's bid is $2,714,477.00." Commissioners instructed staff to evaluate the bids and report back.

The board approved the maintenance bond for the 2024-2 paving program, beginning a three-year maintenance period that holds contractors to specifications. McKenzie explained the county retains 10% on contracts and requires a three-year maintenance bond to address any defects that appear after acceptance.

On bridge work, the board approved an…