The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners handled a series of routine and operational items in their Jan. 5 meeting, approving payroll and claims, confirming board appointments, awarding highway bids and renewing a generator maintenance agreement.

Payroll and minutes: The board approved payroll for the period noted on the agenda and accepted claims for Jan. 5 processing by voice vote. The board corrected wording in the Dec. 22 minutes (amending a motion reference) and accepted the amended minutes and the Dec. 31 special emergency minutes.

Appointments: Commissioners approved a tourism board appointment (Patrick Roland) and accepted two Community Corrections Advisory Board nominations (April Winfield and Marquita Townsend) for four-year terms.

Highway bids: Highway Superintendent Ben presented the 2026 highway bid tabulation and recommended awarding multiple vendors to preserve flexibility for different materials and delivery logistics; commissioners approved the bid pricing list as presented.

Generator maintenance: The board renewed an annual Williams generator maintenance agreement covering seven county generators (courthouse, corrections, jail, health department, annex, central dispatch, and highway) at a total of $10,006.13; motion carried by voice vote 3–0.

Code compliance ordinance: On third reading of Ordinance 2025-0-7, commissioners debated wording about who may file violation reports. A motion to revert a portion of the ordinance to the 2023 complaint-based language (so reports are submitted by residents in the same neighborhood/community) while accepting other updates was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners emphasized this change does not create a full-time code-enforcement position; the part-time role was increased from 10 to 20 hours to address a backlog and prepare cases for court when necessary.

Other business: Staff noted forthcoming DocuSign contracts from INDOT for countywide bridge inspection and Community Crossing matching grants; staff will resend and commissioners agreed to sign when verified. A proposed master service agreement for outside vendors was tabled pending cost clarification. The commissioners adjourned by consensus.