The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 5 to reject all demolition bids for the Sunny Meadows county home and farm and to form a seven-member citizens' committee to explore alternatives including preservation, sale, or adaptive reuse.

The decision followed a lengthy public-comment period in which residents, local historians and civic groups urged a pause. Chuck Knox, speaking for preservation-minded community members, said the 1908 building "is the last tangible link to Indiana's county poor farm era" and urged commissioners to "reject demolition" and direct staff to explore preservation-centered options and outside funding. Mary Deal, who identified herself as a lifelong DeKalb resident, asked commissioners to "pause, not take a position," arguing demolition is irreversible and urging structural, environmental and appraisal studies before any final action.

Commissioners said they sought more information before committing to demolition. One commissioner noted the lack of an asbestos and lead-paint report that could affect demolition costs and risked invalidating current bids. After public comment and staff input, a commissioner moved to reject all bids and the motion carried by voice vote (3–0). The board then voted to create a seven-person advisory committee, with each commissioner to recommend members; the board named that committee’s chair role to a commissioner and asked the group to report back with options, cost estimates and recommended next steps.

The commissioners directed staff and counsel to research appraisal values, potential deed restrictions if the property is sold, and legal limits on long-term deed restrictions. Attorney Andrew Cruz agreed to research how long deed restrictions could be enforced and to return with findings. Commissioners also discussed maintaining basic security and utilities on the property while the committee works, and whether county funds already budgeted for utilities should be applied.

Next steps: staff will provide outstanding environmental test results and an appraisal(s) as available; commissioners asked community members who expressed interest in serving on the committee to contact the chair. The commission did not adopt demolition contracts and left open sale and reuse as possible options pending committee recommendations.