Vigo County approves $3.9M claim docket, renews Indiana State scribe agreement; auditor to roll out digital claims

Vigo County commissioners approved routine business items and heard operational updates from county staff and the auditor.

Speaker 2 presented the minutes for 01/20/2025 and asked for approval; Speaker 5 moved to approve and the board recorded unanimous 'aye' votes. Speaker 2 then presented a claims docket "dated 01/16/2026 through 01/23/2026 in the amount of $3,913,297.15," and the board approved the docket after a motion and second.

The board heard a presentation from Speaker 4 about a renewal of a three-year agreement with Indiana State for a "high-tech scribe" program that trains students to assist law enforcement with technical work such as phone downloads. Speaker 4 said the program "has been a very successful program" and that IPAC grant funding helps support it. Speaker 6 moved to approve the renewal; the motion was seconded and approved with unanimous 'aye' votes.

Speaker 2 (auditor) asked county offices to email copies of existing contracts to the auditor and the auditor’s chief deputy to complete the annual financial report (AFR). He also said the county plans to roll out digital claims in February and later digital payroll by May, and requested contact lists for staff who handle payroll and claims so IT can install required software and provide training.

Commissioners and attendees also praised the highway maintenance crews for round-the-clock work during a large snow event and discussed public-facing GPS tracking (Samsera) in trucks; staff said they are working through server and GIS issues before making the tracking data publicly available. Commissioners asked residents to check on neighbors during very cold weather and to be mindful whether a street is managed by the city or county before complaining to county offices.

The meeting included brief public comments thanking the highway department for assistance on a local dredging project at Fowler campgrounds.