Commissioners approve reimbursement agreement to reimburse EDC for project costs; 2–1 vote

A reimbursement agreement that allows the county to reimburse expenses to the Blackford County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) passed the commissioners’ motion on a 2–1 vote.

County staff presented the agreement and said the county attorney had reviewed it and found no legal concerns. The presentation said the agreement “protect[s] the county from having to pay any of this,” allowing the county to reimburse the EDC for expenses incurred during the negotiation process while avoiding a direct obligation to fund those costs.

A motion to approve the reimbursement agreement was made and seconded; the commissioners recorded a 2–1 vote in favor. A commissioner asked for clarification and staff responded that the county is not obligated to pay under the agreement. The presenter said the agreement is intended to protect the county while permitting reimbursement for EDC work preparing documents and negotiating on behalf of prospective projects.

Commissioners also noted an earlier commitment that the county would not sign agreements until a new ordinance was in place; staff said negotiations by the EDC and document preparation could proceed as a time-saving measure and that any execution of agreements would return to the commissioners for approval. One member of the public sought clarification about whether the county had promised not to engage in negotiations; staff said the EDC would prepare documents and the county would approve them later.

The motion was recorded as passing by a 2–1 margin; the transcript does not identify the motion maker or second by name in the record.