Vermillion County Council on Nov. 20, 2025 approved a $215,000 additional appropriation from the improvement fund and adopted Ordinance 2025-22, authorizing the county commissioners to purchase 701 South Division Street in Cayuga, Indiana, for a price agreed by the commissioners not to exceed $190,000.

The commissioners, represented in the meeting by RJ, told the council the property appraisal "came in a $182,000." RJ said preliminary renovation work to ready the building for ambulance staff would run about $32,000, with a possible additional $1,000–$2,000 for a larger heater if needed. Commissioners also discussed a potential north-side addition in a preliminary range of $100,000–$120,000.

Council members debated the purchase versus building new. One council speaker argued buying a 50-year-old building "makes no sense" and suggested constructing a new facility could cost about the same; other members and commissioners countered the present option was a viable, timely choice given current constraints. "The commissioners are unanimous in this request," RJ told the council during the discussion.

The council president read the ordinance, which cites Indiana Code 36-2-2-20 as the authority for county commissioners to acquire real estate. The ordinance names Zeke Norman and Renee Norman as the sellers of 701 South Division Street and caps the purchase price at $190,000.

A motion to accept the tabled additional appropriation of $215,000 from the improvement fund was made by Council Member Mike Weir and seconded by Council Member Costello; the council approved the appropriation by unanimous consent of members present. The council then voted by unanimous consent to allow adoption of the ordinance on the first reading and adopted Ordinance 2025-22 at the same meeting.

Officials asked for help finding a second commercial appraiser; commissioners said they would seek a second appraisal and, barring major discrepancies, expected to close quickly. Staff said local attorney Henry Antennetti could complete the closing paperwork and the parties could close in about a week after resolving the appraisal. Inspection items noted during the meeting include possible roof work, electrical connections and a fire-rated door between living quarters and the garage, which the commissioners said they would prioritize with ambulance staff input.

The council adjourned after formalizing the appropriation and adopting the ordinance. The next procedural step noted by commissioners is obtaining the second appraisal and completing closing arrangements.