The Vigo County Oversight Board, meeting for the first time in 2026, approved its Dec. 16 minutes and elected Heather Pickens as treasurer while members discussed hiring outside financial and legal advisers.

The board moved swiftly through initial housekeeping. An unidentified board member motioned to approve the minutes; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Unidentified Speaker 3 told members the board had already elected a president and a secretary and "I think it's prudent for us to elect a treasurer as well," noting the county council had approved $100,000 for the board's use and the treasurer would coordinate with the school corporation and help establish account signers and periodic finance reporting.

Heather Pickens accepted the nomination, replying, "Absolutely." The motion to elect Pickens as treasurer was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members also reviewed early outreach to prospective consultants. Unidentified Speaker 5 reported requests for quotes had been sent to Koh Horwath and Policy Analytics; Jason O'Neil of Policy Analytics planned to send a list of questions to scope the engagement. The same speaker said Tim Berry, identified as with Crow, told the board a draft engagement letter was in legal review and expected soon.

On legal counsel, Unidentified Speaker 3 said Barnes & Thornburg had indicated interest and that a conflict check for partner Jake German was cleared; the partner was described as experienced in municipal law and municipal finance and an engagement letter was expected for review.

Members said they intended to prioritize school-corporation presentations and the facility study, with the finance work to proceed in the background while those presentations are completed.

Next steps announced included follow-up on consultant engagement letters and further review of any proposals at upcoming meetings. The board scheduled another meeting later in the week to continue work.