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St. Joseph County commissioners approve routine measures; residents press for transparency and traffic fixes
Summary
The Board approved the accounts payable docket, reappointed Martin Wright to the Economic Development Commission and approved IPG consent items; public commenters sought follow-up on an affirmative-action change, praised a traffic fix and asked for clearer appointment application information.
At its Tuesday meeting, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners approved routine business including the accounts payable docket, a reappointment to the Economic Development Commission and the IPG consent agenda.
The board voted unanimously to approve the accounts payable docket after a motion and second. Commissioners Morton, Hazen and Maxmeyer each voted “aye.” The commissioners also voted to reappoint Martin Wright to the Economic Development Commission; the item was described by staff as a reappointment rather than a new appointment. The IPG consent agenda, which included an Art Beat Festival request and a temporary four-way stop at Edison and Walnut, was also approved unanimously.
During the public-comment period, several residents raised nonbinding concerns and requests for follow-up. Tom Rowe asked for a status update on a fairness and equal affirmative-action item that county council had previously advanced with a 2–1 vote; Rowe said commissioners had agreed to meet with county council to seek changes acceptable to both bodies. The commissioners said the county council remains the legislative body and is handling the amendment; no formal county-commission action was announced.
Dan Caruso of New Carlisle thanked officials for recent traffic adjustments at the Larson and U.S. 20/State Road 2 and described temporary changes that restrict left turns at Strawberry Road and reopen access via an access road. He said truck drivers have made illegal U-turns rather than use the bypass or a nearby turnaround, and called the new arrangement “a lot less dangerous than what was happening at Larson and 2.”
Cynthia Heckman Davis asked how residents can apply for appointments to boards and commissions; she said she could not find an application process on the county website and asked that openings be advertised to increase transparency. Commissioners said reappointments are often made when there is no objection from any of the three commissioners, and that truly open positions have required letters of intent and background information. The board said a forthcoming appointment to the Mid-Continent Trail commission will be advertised as an open position.
All formal votes taken during the meeting were unanimous among the three sitting commissioners. No contested elections, ordinances or budget amendments were taken during the session.
