Commissioners approve paving, easement payments, ordinances and several contracts; drainage board awards maintenance contracts

The Vandiver County Board of Commissioners on March 18 approved a slate of contract awards, easement payments, ordinances and rezoning petitions, and the county Drainage Board approved its 2025 maintenance contracts and an emergency tree-removal payment.

The commission awarded a paving contract for project VC25-02-01 (Spring Lake Valley/Bridlewood/Stonecrest paving repairs) to Jerry David Enterprises Inc., the lowest responsive bidder, for $244,206.25. Commissioners Gable, Canterbury and President Elpers voted yes on the motion to award.

The board approved three separate right-of-way offers for VC24-1203, West Franklin Street drainage improvements: $1,800 to the Trustees of T Couple General Baptist Church (Parcel 1); $5,300 to Joseph Stocker (Parcel 2); and $2,300 to Beth Rigdon (Parcel 3). Each motion passed on roll call votes by Commissioners Gable, Canterbury and President Elpers.

The commission approved a maintenance contract with Industrial Maintenance Services LLC for the Burdette Park Aquatic Center main filtration system; funding will come from the park’s revolving budget (concessions and related funds).

A lease agreement with Alpha Laser and Imaging to replace a failed printer in the treasurer’s office, at a total lease cost of $4,391.52, was approved.

On ordinance votes, the board adopted ordinance COdot03-25-006, establishing fees for the coroner’s office (including a requested $50 per day fee after a five-day holding period for out-of-county decedents). The commission also waived a second reading and approved two mirrored ordinances establishing opioid-restricted donation funds—COdot03-25-007 (Town of Donaldson) and COdot03-25-009 (City of Evansville)—on first and final reading.

The commission approved vacation ordinance COdotV-4-25-1, a petition to vacate a drainage and lake-maintenance easement at lots in the Vanderburgh County Industrial Park, and set a public hearing and final reading for April 1, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

On land-use matters, the board granted final-reading rezoning approvals for VC-2-2025 (5015 New Harmony Road, petitioner Connor Godey, C-4 to R-2) and two related Boulder Pass properties (VC-3-2025 and VC-4-2025, 12220 and 12210 Browning Road) that will allow construction of residential duplex-type units.

At its separate Drainage Board session the county awarded the 2025 regulated drain maintenance contracts to the lowest responsive bidders after routine bid-schedule adjustments, and approved an emergency tree- and debris-removal contract on Marsh/Bar Creek not to exceed $7,000 to address ice/wind-storm damage identified by the Big Creek Drainage Association and contractor Alan Relic.

All listed motions passed on roll calls where recorded; when individual yes/no tallies were recorded they were unanimous among the three commissioners present.

Votes at a glance - VC25-02-01 paving repairs to Jerry David Enterprises Inc.; amount: $244,206.25; outcome: approved (Gable/Canterbury/Elpers yes). - VC24-1203 right-of-way offers: Trustees of T Couple General Baptist Church $1,800; Joseph Stocker $5,300; Beth Rigdon $2,300; outcomes: approved. - Industrial Maintenance Services LLC: Aquatic Center main filtration maintenance; outcome: approved (budgeted to revolving fund). - Alpha Laser & Imaging printer lease: $4,391.52; outcome: approved. - Ordinance COdot03-25-006 (coroner fees; includes $50/day after five days for out-of-county decedents): approved on second and final reading. - Ordinance COdot03-25-007 (Town of Donaldson opioid-restricted donation fund): waived second reading and approved on first and final reading. - Ordinance COdot03-25-009 (City of Evansville opioid-restricted donation fund): waived second reading and approved on first and final reading. - COdotV-4-25-1 (vacation ordinance for drainage & lake maintenance easement, Vanderburgh County Industrial Park): first reading approved; public hearing set for 04/01/2025 at 9:30 a.m. - VC-2-2025 (5015 New Harmony Road; C-4 to R-2, petitioner Connor Godey): final reading approved. - VC-3-2025 and VC-4-2025 (12220 & 12210 Browning Road; Boulder Pass Properties LP; AG to R-2): final readings approved. - Drainage Board: 2025 regulated drain maintenance contracts awarded to lowest responsive bidders; outcome: approved. - Marsh/Bar Creek emergency tree removal and bank repairs: approved, not to exceed $7,000 to Big Creek Drainage Association/contractor Alan Relic.

The board moved through consent items and public comment with no substantive public remonstrations recorded on the approved matters. The commission adjourned at the close of the agenda.