Vanderburgh County commissioners approve bridge bids, park fee increase and several contracts; back joint tourism tax resolution

Vanderburgh County commissioners on Jan. 14 approved notices to bidders for two bridge projects tied to a Community Crossings grant, a 10% schedule change order for road resurfacing, the purchase of a county vehicle, several contract renewals and settlements, a 10% rate increase across Burdette Park facilities and a joint resolution to seek state action on a tourism tax that funds the convention center.

The actions matter because the bridge projects are eligible for a Community Crossings grant that will cover half of estimated costs if bids are received and awards are made on the timetable staff presented, the Burdette Park fee change affects campground and event pricing countywide and the tourism resolution would send a reallocation and extension of a 2% innkeeper's tax to the Indiana legislature for possible inclusion in the statewide omnibus tax legislation.

The board unanimously approved notices to bidders for BC25-01-01 (rehabilitation of the Clients Road bridge over a branch of Locust Creek) and VC25-1-2 (replacement of the Adler Road bridge, Bridge No. 100). Commissioners also approved the Adler Road bridge cover sheet. John (county engineer) told the board the bids must be received at the commissioners' office by 9:30 a.m. Feb. 11, and projects must be awarded by March 7 to qualify for the Community Crossings grant that would cover half the estimated cost.

The board approved a change order (BC24-05-01) for county road milling and resurfacing that increases the contract by $9,167.97 to reflect material-quantity adjustments. It also approved the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Equinox from Kenny Kent Chevrolet for $26,495 to replace an aged pickup reassigned to Burnett Park (vehicle purchases were presented as within the adopted budget).

Under right-of-way items, the board approved administrative settlements for Oak Hill Road parcel acquisitions. Parcel 13 (Michael Hoppe) received an increase of $6,300 for a final purchase amount of $33,500; Parcel 18 (Stan Moore) received an increase of $2,900 for a final purchase amount of $27,900. The board voted unanimously to approve both settlements.

In health and IT matters, commissioners approved a proposal for network installation by Drone Electrical Solutions to bring county IT services into a newly leased health department facility. The board also unanimously renewed a claims-review contract with Davies Claim Solutions LLC covering workers' compensation, auto, property, law enforcement and errors-and-omissions claims.

The board tabled an item related to the Bannerbrook County law department pending additional signatures and contract details.

Burdette Park director Zach Waltham presented a proposal to raise all facility rental rates by 10%, effective Feb. 1. Waltham said his office compared local wedding and campground venues and concluded the park would remain competitive after a modest increase; he added the park is in high demand, with Saturdays fully booked for 2025. "We could stand a small increase and still be very competitive within the market," Waltham said. The board voted unanimously to approve the rate increase. In a later financial summary, Waltham told commissioners Burdette Park generated $155,189.48 in campground revenue in 2024 and reported a park-wide year-over-year increase of just over $105,000.

The board approved a professional services agreement requested by the assessor's office with L.W. Hospitality Advisors LLC for litigation consulting on a high-value property appeal; County staff said the consultant work will be paid from the assessor's existing contractual budget and is time-sensitive (the consultant's report is due in April). Commissioners also approved a fourth amendment renewing the county's clinic agreement with Ascension St. Vincent (St. Vincent Health, Wellness and Preventive Care Institute, Inc.) at no additional cost to the county. Ashley Chips, a representative from Ascension St. Vincent's employee clinic program, told the board the clinic dispensed 3,015 medications in the last 12 months and that participating members save the plan about $3,500 a year compared with nonparticipants; she said clinic visits and medications are provided at no cost to eligible employees and dependents. Linda Freeman, Vanderburgh County surveyor, used public comment to note that employees covered by Teamster insurance do not have access to the county clinic.

On tourism funding, the board unanimously approved Resolution CO.R-01-25-002, a joint amending resolution of the Vandenburgh County Council, the Board of Commissioners and the Explore Evansville Convention & Visitors Commission (CVV). Mike Schottmeyer, counsel for Explore Evansville, described the resolution as a coordinated approach among the county council, Explore Evansville and the Hotel-Motel Association to ask the legislature to extend the 2% convention-center operating portion of the innkeeper's tax beyond Dec. 31, 2025, and to reallocate proceeds among promotion, capital and convention funds under IC 6-9-2.5. Schottmeyer said the parties also plan a study committee to review the county's contract with the convention center and to examine reducing the subsidy derived from the tax units, noting discussion of a target to lower that subsidy toward $1,000,000 within three years; he emphasized the importance of presenting a united position to the General Assembly. The board signed the resolution for delivery to state Rep. Tim O'Brien and lobbyists working on the bill.

New business included the establishment of a residential debris drop-off site at the fairgrounds for ice-storm cleanup. The drop-off will operate on three successive weekends (Friday and Saturday each weekend) and is restricted to Vanderburgh County residents; drivers will be required to show ID. County garage staff will man the site and the schedule will mirror the city's drop-off dates. Commissioners approved consent items by unanimous vote and adjourned the meeting.

Separately, the Vanderburgh County Drainage Board convened after the commissioners' meeting. The drainage board elected Amy Canterbury as president and Mike Gable as vice president, approved previous minutes and granted retroactive approval of 18 ditch-claim payments submitted since the Dec. 17, 2024 meeting totaling $4,302.63. The drainage board discussed work by the Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission, including preparation of a Lake and River Enhancement Program (LARE) grant, coordination with USGS for a stream-gauge on a county bridge, and plans for an interlocal agreement to delineate assessment authority between the watershed commission and the drainage board to avoid double taxation of legal drains. No vote was taken on the interlocal agreement; staff said the drainage board would be asked to consider it when a draft is ready.

Votes at a glance: BC25-01-01 notice to bidders (Clients Road bridge) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). VC25-1-2 notice to bidders (Adler Road bridge) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Adler Road bridge cover sheet ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Change order BC24-05-01 (milling/resurfacing) +$9,167.97 ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Vehicle purchase (2025 Chevrolet Equinox; $26,495) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Oak Hill Road administrative settlements (Parcel 13: Michael Hoppe, final $33,500; Parcel 18: Stan Moore, final $27,900) ' both approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Health-department network installation (Drone Electrical Solutions) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Bannerbrook County law-department item ' tabled until next meeting (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Burdette Park 10% rate increase (all facility rentals, effective Feb. 1, 2025; pool admission rates unchanged) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Professional services agreement: L.W. Hospitality Advisors LLC (assessor litigation consulting) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Davies Claim Solutions LLC contract renewal ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Fourth amendment, St. Vincent clinic contract ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Resolution CO.R-01-25-002 (joint amending resolution re: 2% convention-center operating fund under IC 6-9-2.5) ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Consent items ' approved (Gable: yes; Canterbury: yes; Elpers: yes). Drainage Board: election of officers (Amy Canterbury, president; Mike Gable, vice president) ' approved. Drainage Board: retroactive approval of 18 ditch claims totaling $4,302.63 ' approved (Gable: yes; Elpers: yes; Canterbury: yes).

Future steps include delivery of the signed tourism-resolution materials to Rep. Tim O'Brien and legislative advocates, staff drafting an interlocal agreement between the drainage board and the Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission for future consideration by the drainage board, and county staff preparing bid documents and timelines needed to secure Community Crossings grant eligibility.