Blake Bardell of Blake Bardell Solutions updated Perry County commissioners on community engagement and early planning work.

Bardell said the county released a 38-question community survey on Dec. 28; as of the morning of the meeting the survey had received 341 responses. He said the data collection period will continue through the end of the month, after which the consultant team will analyze responses and produce written recommendations to inform county capital-improvement and economic-development planning.

Bardell also said the consultant team is working with an engineering firm to prepare a feasibility analysis for infrastructure expansion near the I-6437 interchange; he anticipated delivering a proposal that will help the county evaluate potential capital investments and grant opportunities. Bardell noted ongoing responses to RFIs from the State of Indiana and said staff would be engaged in grant support for the Perry County Council on Aging.

"So far as of this morning, we've got 341 responses," Bardell said. He told the board a formal written summary will be shared with county officials and media, and that the consultant would continue to coordinate with council members on capital-improvement planning.