Delaware County commissioners approve contracts, grant support and table right-of-way ordinance after public concerns
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Summary
At a Feb. 16 meeting, Delaware County Commissioners approved several contracts and payments, pledged $25,000 to the Scholar House program for the year, approved an insurance plan change expected to save about $300,000 in year one, and tabled Ordinance 2026-01 on public right-of-way for more public input.
MUNCIE, Ind. — The Delaware County Commissioners on Monday approved multiple contracts, grants and payments, while tabling a proposed ordinance that drew public concern about property rights.
The board voted to fund Scholar House — a support and housing program for single mothers tied to Ball State University — with $25,000 for the current year after a presentation from program staff who said the program moves “about 88 and a half percent” of participants to degree or credential completion. A commissioner said the board would reassess future funding at year’s end.
Commissioners also approved a not-to-exceed $47,500 contract with BW to assess and design code-compliant modifications for areas of the Justice Center that were used but not included on the original state-stamped drawings. The contract breakdown presented to the board included roughly $30,000 for architectural/structural/MEP work, $5,000 for code compliance services and $7,500 for project oversight.
The county approved a lease addendum allowing Muncie OPCO LLC, operator of the county’s Addiction Recovery Center, to invest $152,399 of private funds to customize the facility. County staff said the original lease included language permitting tenant improvements with county permission.
A proposal to relocate the historic courthouse bell back onto county property was approved using a single proposal from the Jennings family at an all-in price of $22,000 (labor $7,500; equipment $5,000; materials $5,500; administration/permitting comprising the remainder). Commissioners said liability concerns weighed in favor of using the family’s contractor for the move.
On financial items, the board approved payment of claims totaling $1,438,509.72, ARP claims of $12,250 and payroll for Feb. 11 amounting to $1,118,189.26 by roll call.
The commissioners also approved a recommended change to the county’s liability insurance approach, moving from a guaranteed-cost program to a self-insured retention model with a $250,000 retention and shifting carriers toward a Chubb/Apex combination. Presenters projected roughly $300,000 in first-year savings and additional yearly savings as the county manages nuisance claims internally.
Planning and land-use actions included unanimous approval to vacate alleys and streets within the original Mount Pleasant plat in Perry Township to consolidate zoning for Honey Rock Farms; the planning commission had recommended approval.
The board adopted Ordinance 2025-038A on second reading to restore certain non–county-sponsored annuity/retirement plan language after staff said removing the language caused administrative problems for the auditor’s office.
Ordinance 2026-01, an amendment to Title 5, Chapter 14 addressing permitted activities in county right-of-way, was not adopted. Commissioners received numerous public comments and requests from farmers and the Farm Bureau for clarified language about large agricultural vehicles, mailbox placement and permitting. After discussion the board voted to table the ordinance to collect proposed replacement language and additional public input.
Public comment included thanks to county staff and Commissioner Sherry Regan for facilitating a trial use of the fairgrounds by Second Harvest to host a food distribution; Cheryl Swingley told commissioners “320 cars went through the line” and urged continued no-charge access to the fairgrounds for distributions. Opponents of the right-of-way ordinance, including Mike Catron, raised legal objections and asked the county to produce proof of a claimed 20-foot right-of-way on existing roads, saying the change risks an unconstitutional taking.
The meeting included updates from county departments: community corrections said Delaware County received a $60,000 opioid grant to fund a peer recovery specialist and a self-reporting kiosk for probation; the court requested renewal of a VOCA grant (application due March 11) and asked the board to support a $150,000 award request; human resources reported the county clinic will transition to Marathon on March 3.
The board recessed at the conclusion of scheduled business; several items, including documents related to 613 North Broadway, were left under old business for follow-up.