Elkhart County commissioners approve minutes, claims, Port Lawn use and three conflict disclosures
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
At a brief session the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved minutes from 12/22/2025, allowance of claims, a request to use the Port Lawn in Goshen for a private wedding on Feb. 13, 2026, and accepted conflict-of-interest disclosures for Tom Stump, Steven Clark and Dave Hess.
The Elkhart County Board of Commissioners conducted routine business and unanimously approved a set of procedural items and conflict-of-interest disclosures.
The board approved minutes from the meeting of Dec. 22, 2025, following a motion, a second and an "aye" vote. A staff member reported that claims had been reviewed and were ready for approval; the board moved, seconded and approved the allowance of claims.
The board granted Alexander Kelly permission to use the historic Port Lawn in Goshen for wedding vows and family photographs on Feb. 13, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The presiding commissioner asked whether more than 100 people would attend; Kelly replied "No, sir." The request was approved unanimously.
County Attorney's Office representative Nat Jordan presented three conflict-of-interest disclosure statements for board consideration. Jordan summarized each disclosure and said he would present them together. He stated that "Tom is a 100% owner" of Kreips Septic Cleaning Service Inc. and that Rainflow of Michiana is a DBA for a business he also owns. On Steve Clark, Jordan said the disclosure is for contractors/vendors R Yoder Construction Inc. and JVK Development and that Clark "receives an annual bonus based on the profits" of those firms. Jordan said the final disclosure, for Dave Hess, involves a contract with a family member, identified as Mowing Services of James W. Hess.
A motion to accept the three conflict disclosures was made and seconded; the board voted "aye" and the motions carried unanimously. No further board items were raised, and the presiding officer opened the privilege of the floor for public comment. After public comment, a motion to adjourn was made, seconded and carried unanimously.
Votes at a glance: minutes approved (motion carried unanimously); allowance of claims approved (unanimous); Port Lawn use for Alexander Kelly approved (unanimous); conflict-of-interest disclosures for Tom Stump, Steven Clark and David Hess accepted (unanimous). The transcript does not provide roll-call counts for the votes.