Elkhart County commissioners approve multiple appropriations, allocate $500,000 in opioid funds to Oak Lawn intake center

Elkhart County Commissioners approved a series of appropriations and funding adjustments during their Jan. 13, 2025 meeting, including $500,000 from opioid-restricted funds to support Oak Lawn Psychiatric Center’s new intake center and contracts to produce preliminary engineering designs for three county bridges.

The board voted unanimously to approve $150,000 from county bridge funds for preliminary engineering on Bridge 193 (design by SJCA), $150,000 for engineering services on Bridge 253 (USI Consultants), and $100,000 for supplemental engineering and archaeological services tied to the replacement of Bridge 385 on County Road 18 (Highland Avenue) over Yellow Creek (GAI Consultants). County Highway Department staff said deteriorated concrete box beams identified in a countywide bridge inspection prompted the requests and that additional geotechnical concerns required the supplemental work.

Commissioners also approved a $500,000 appropriation from opioid-restricted funds to fulfill a previously agreed two-payment arrangement with Oak Lawn Psychiatric Center, described in the meeting as two payments of $250,000 each to support the facility’s intake center. The board approved an $80,000 district appropriation to replace two boilers and four heating/cooling units for the work-release facility; buildings-and-grounds staff said the expense is fully reimbursable by a Maycock grant.

Administrative and infrastructure adjustments included approval to reallocate $313,093.17 within general-fund accounts to upgrade the county’s fiber-network configuration to provide redundant fiber to county courthouses and other county buildings. The commissioners approved both the additional appropriation and a corresponding reduction in another account to match the total amount requested; county staff said the action involved shifting existing funds, not requesting new money.

The board unanimously approved an amendment to ordinance CO2021-16 to update Exhibit A — the plan for use of the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund — so that the ordinance’s exhibit matches prior appropriations and reflects that ARP funds were closed out last year. County Attorney Steve Olsen told commissioners the amendment aligns the published plan dollar-for-dollar with appropriations already approved by the commissioners and council.

One appropriation request was deferred: a proposed $100,000 additional appropriation from the general fund for American Legal (the vendor used to publish and maintain the county code). County Administrator Jeff Taylor and County Attorney Steve Olsen said the vendor provides a nationally used code-publishing platform to keep county code consistent and publicly accessible; the commissioners chose to defer final action on that appropriation.

The agenda also included a consent approval to engage counsel as listed in the meeting packet and a motion to adjourn. No roll-call vote tallies with member names were read aloud during the motions; the clerk repeatedly recorded motions as carrying unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes for Dec. 16: approved (unanimous). - Approve regular claims: approved (unanimous). - $150,000 — Bridge 193 preliminary engineering (SJCA): approved (unanimous). - $150,000 — Bridge 253 preliminary engineering (USI Consultants): approved (unanimous). - $100,000 — Bridge 385 supplemental engineering/archeology (GAI Consultants): approved (unanimous). - $100,000 — Additional appropriation for American Legal (county code publishing): deferred. - $500,000 — Opioid-restricted funds to Oak Lawn Psychiatric Center (two payments of $250,000): approved (unanimous). - $80,000 — Replacement of 2 boilers and 4 HVAC units for work release (Maycock grant reimbursable): approved (unanimous). - $313,093.17 — Fiber-network upgrade (reallocation between accounts): approved (unanimous). - Ordinance CO2021-16 amendment (ARP Local Fiscal Recovery Fund — update Exhibit A): approved (unanimous). - Consideration of agreement for engagement of counsel listed in packet: approved (unanimous).

Meeting context and significance

Highway staff framed the bridge funding requests as responses to a countywide bridge inspection that identified deteriorated concrete box beams and, in one case, geotechnical anomalies requiring archaeological exploration. The Oak Lawn appropriation uses opioid-restricted funds and was described as part of a previously entered agreement to provide two payments in support of the facility’s intake center. The fiber and courthouse-network actions were described as internal reallocations to provide redundant connectivity across county buildings. The American Legal appropriation was deferred for further discussion. The meeting record shows minimal debate on most items; votes were taken by voice with repeated “aye” responses and no recorded dissents.

Elkhart County staff listed specific consultants and vendors by name for several projects; no additional conditions, amendments, or opposing votes were recorded on the items that passed.