The Owen County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement to place HWC Engineering on an on-call services list for the highway department and received an update on the countys jail construction process.

During the meeting a commissioner moved and seconded approval of an agreement with HWC Engineering to provide engineering services on an as-needed basis; the agreement requires payment only if the county requests paid services. The motion passed on a voice vote (recorded as "Aye" in the minutes). Commissioners clarified that routine contact with the firm will run through the highway supervisor, and that supervisors will request a secondary review from HWC when needed.

Separately, county staff reported selection of BW and Garmond Construction as the joint contractor for the new jail and said the next formal step is creation of a building commission and the drafting of a scoping agreement. The scoping agreement, to be developed by county counsel and a construction attorney, will define project requirements and form the basis of the later construction contract.

Other operational items included a signed mutual agreement with Monroe County to share bridge approach costs (total $46,500; Owen County share $23,250), a 250-ton salt order for winter at a cost of $40,000, and an IT upgrade request to support virtual meetings. Staff also reported ongoing FEMA and IDHS coordination to break down completed work for reimbursement; specific Cat A and Cat C paperwork must be delivered by Nov. 29 to move those claims forward.

The board did not take final action on the jail beyond approving the contractor selection and moving toward a scoping agreement. Commissioners asked staff to continue negotiations and to bring formal scoping documents and budget numbers back to the board once they are drafted.