Commissioners approve routine highway, subdivision and administrative items; CASA donation fund adopted

The Marshall County Board of Commissioners handled a series of routine and administrative items during its Jan. 5 meeting.

Highway department staff reported several utility and road-cut permit requests. Commissioners approved two Brightspeed bore/conduit requests on Plymouth Ocean Trail and near Lilac; several Comcast new-service cable installs; and NIPSCO requests to replace poles and transfer conductors across multiple townships. The board voted to approve the sets of requests by voice.

Rob Bowen asked for right-of-way access for a proposed 1.4-acre lot off 2 B Road in Bremen township and provided a signed plat approved by the Bremen Plan Commission. Commissioners asked about drainage and utilities, then moved and approved the right-of-way request for the Bowen 2 B Road Minor Subdivision.

Holcomb Community Corrections said its lease ended and requested permission to remain month-to-month at its current facility while renovations are completed on a purchased building; commissioners approved month-to-month occupancy up to six months at $3,000 per month.

The board approved a series of administrative items: minutes for Dec. 15, Dec. 22 and Dec. 31 meetings, accounts payable claims and payroll claims, all by voice vote.

Separately, Ashley Keller, director for CASA, asked the board to create a donation fund to receive $3,835.55 remaining in a closed nonprofit account and future donations; the board adopted Ordinance 2026-5 and suspended the rules to adopt on second and third reading at the meeting.

The board also approved a 2026 annual consultant agreement with "Senator Dalton" (recorded as financial consultant in the meeting record).