Commissioners approve routine highway purchases, surplus disposals and sheriff K-9 retirement

5213492 ยท July 7, 2025

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Summary

The board approved posting a crack-seal bid, purchase of a John Deere tractor and roadside mower, disposal/trade-in of a 2010 Jeep Liberty, and release of a retiring K-9 to its handler; covered-bridge certification and a conflict-disclosure were also recorded.

At its July 7 meeting the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners approved several routine items including highway procurement, vehicle disposal and a sheriff's office personnel-related release.

Highway staff requested approval to post a notice to bidders for the 2025 crack-seal program. Commissioners approved posting the bid; staff said last year's contracted crack sealing covered about 110 miles, compared with 40 to 50 miles accomplished in-house, and the department hopes to repeat a similar mileage this year.

The board approved an RFQ purchase for a John Deere tractor and Diamond roadside mower from Hudson Incorporated for $198,406.20; commissioners said the purchase replaces older roadside mowers that had been disposed of. The board also approved disposal of a 2010 Jeep Liberty for use as a trade-in toward a new three-quarter-ton pickup; staff said the vehicle had been purchased in February 2012 and maintenance costs matched its purchase price over time.

Under the sheriff's agenda, the commissioners approved a release and retired-canine agreement allowing K-9 Stone to be retired and retained by his handler, Justin Yoder; the sheriff said Stone has already been replaced and the new K-9 is in training. The board recorded a standard covered-bridge certification (certifying the county has zero covered bridges) and accepted a uniform conflict-of-interest disclosure from County Administrator Jeff Taylor noting ownership interest in Monster Buck Supply; officials said there are no contracts with that business at this time. Several motions on these routine items carried unanimously.