Hamilton County commissioners refer resurfacing bids, approve drone transfers, adopt two ordinances and clear multiple contracts and payments

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 8 received competitive bids for a county resurfacing project, approved two resolutions to transfer surplus drones to local law enforcement, adopted two ordinances on first reading and voted to approve multiple contracts and payments across county departments.

The board opened sealed bids for Resurface Project 2053 (various roads in Jackson, Kansas, and White River, Kansas). Bidders and base bids recorded in the meeting were: Baumgartner — $1,967,154.85; Calumet — not specified in the record for the base amount; DC Construction — $1,866,266.92; E & B — $1,878,649.78; Howard Companies — $1,912,749.36; Midwest Paving — $1,761,769.69; Ruth Riley — $1,663,000. The board voted to refer the bid packets to the Highway Department for review and recommendation at the next meeting.

In emergency-management business, staff announced a $9,000 Duke Energy Foundation grant (net $8,875 after a $125 check-processing fee) to buy seven voltage detectors and, tentatively, 30 nationwide rapid-response radios to support field safety and volunteer communications. Separately, the commissioners approved two resolutions (09082025-1 and 09082025-2) authorizing the transfer of three retired DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise drones: one to Ascension Saint Vincent’s Police Department and two to Richmond Police Department.

The board accepted two recently constructed subdivision bridges — Bridge No. 323 (Mercio Parkway over East Fork of Slide Run) and Bridge No. 324 (Timbers Parkway over East Fork of Slide Run) — into county ownership and maintenance after staff reported that construction and inspections met conditions.

County legal/staff presented two ordinances: O90825A creates a nonreverting fund to pay operational costs of the Hamilton County Regional Utility District, and O90825B updates the county’s public-records process to allow the county to deny requests made for commercial purposes under Indiana Code 5-14-3-3(e) and to require a form for certain requests (including ADA-assistance provisions). For both ordinances the commissioners voted to waive rules and adopt on first reading; the record reflects approval with no penalties attached to O90825B and that the new public-records form was being finalized for distribution.

Other approvals and items the board acted on during the session included: - Acceptance of a bond and letter of credit dated Sept. 8 (Highway Department). - Approval of the state form IC-639 final acceptance for a federal-aid resurfacing project (DES No. 2200142) for work on 146th Street between Hazel Dell and White River, and recommendation of final acceptance to NDOT as required for federal-aid projects. - Disposal of surplus equipment (including an old Ricoh copier) and miscellaneous vendor and payroll claims presented by the auditor. - Supplemental public defender contracts for the remainder of 2025 to cover criminal initial hearings after a resignation; Superior Court 3 contracts for attorney Terry Tolliver to cover misdemeanor Level 6 and major felony dockets. - Contract addendum with Tire Technologies to bring emergency-networking fire-service modules to full operating capacity and a one-year continuation of AT&T 9-1-1 phone lines for the current building pending relocation. - A second amendment to the professional services agreement for the Judicial Center design work to advance the project to construction documents so a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) can be determined. - Approval of a Health Department purchase of emergency-preparedness equipment totaling $56,615 from preparedness grant funds (staff indicated appropriation would be completed before payment). - Approval of Request for Payment No. 36 to Reynolds Construction LLC in the amount of $384,667.70.

The sheriff’s office reported an ongoing criminal investigation into extensive graffiti at the county parking garage; investigators said there were no confirmed gang ties in initial work to build a timeline from video evidence. The sheriff’s office said it was coordinating public information outreach and noted potential juvenile-liability issues for parents if juveniles are involved.

The meeting record shows most motions carried unanimously. Where staff noted follow-up (for example, highway department bid review or appropriation before equipment purchase), the board either directed staff to proceed with the outlined next steps or approved subject to those administrative steps.

Votes at a glance (selected items) - Refer resurfacing bids for Project 2053 to Highway Department — motion approved, referred for review (bidders and amounts listed above). - Accept bond and letter of credit dated Sept. 8 — approved. - Accept Bridges No. 323 and 324 into county ownership — approved. - Approve IC-639 final acceptance for DES No. 2200142 (146th Street resurfacing) — approved. - Adopt Ordinance O90825A (nonreverting fund for Hamilton County Regional Utility District) on first reading — adopted. - Adopt Ordinance O90825B (public records request procedures, form and commercial-use denial under Indiana Code 5-14-3-3(e)) on first reading — adopted; no penalties provided. - Approve Resolutions 09082025-1 and 09082025-2 to transfer surplus drones to Ascension Saint Vincent’s PD and Richmond PD — approved. - Approve Health Department emergency-preparedness purchase — $56,615 approved (to be appropriated before purchase). - Approve Request for Payment No. 36 to Reynolds Construction LLC — $384,667.70 approved. - Approve second amendment to professional services agreement for Judicial Center (advance to construction documents) — approved. - Approve various contracts, amendments, supplemental public defender coverage, AT&T 911 extension, Tire Technologies addendum, and routine auditor items — approved.

Why it matters: The actions consolidate several operational and capital matters that affect road maintenance, emergency response equipment and software, judicial services coverage, and early design work for the Judicial Center. The public-records ordinance clarifies the county’s ability to screen and deny commercial requests under state law and formalizes a form-based process, which county staff said will help manage staff resources.

What’s next: Highway staff will review resurfacing bids and bring a recommendation to a future meeting. County staff said they will finalize the public-records request form and that Health and Emergency Operations staff will complete required appropriations prior to spending grant or county funds.