Dubois County commissioners approve $72,200 roof coating, ambulance contract and several personnel actions

The Dubois County Commissioners on Aug. 5 approved a package of routine county actions, including a $72,200 coating for the Community Corrections building, a contract with Deaconess EMS, the hiring of two 911 dispatchers and several highway contract adjustments.

Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger, president of the Dubois County Commissioners, said the coating for Community Corrections was discussed with Fleck Roofing and would be paid from construction soft costs; the motion to support the work passed unanimously. County Attorney Gregory S. Schnarr and Blessinger presented and secured approval of an agreement with Deaconess EMS, LLC.

Highway Engineer Brent Wendholt reported on CCMG paving projects completed at multiple roads and said INDOT requires a formal contract; the commissioners approved waiving standard contractual language and signing a revised contract with C&R Construction. Wendholt also presented a change order for the CR 600 West paving project showing a net decrease of $1,776, which the board approved. Wendholt noted ongoing work on Bridge #254 on St. Anthony Road West and introduced a Samsara vehicle-tracking option to consider as a replacement for the county’s current Verizon Fleet Management system.

Clerk Amy Kippenbrock told the board the county currently has 96 voting machines and proposed budgeting over two years to purchase new MicroVote equipment in 2026. The commissioners authorized Commissioner Blessinger to sign any necessary documents for an OCRA CDBG grant application submitted at the request of Indiana 15 Regional Planning Director Nathan Held and Huntingburg Librarian Donna Neuman to improve ADA accessibility at the Huntingburg Public Library.

911 Director Stuart Wilson presented two applicants, Kennedy Weyer and Miyah Moran, for dispatcher positions with start dates of Aug. 12, 2024; the hires were approved unanimously. Wilson said the 911 department expects to move into its new center on Aug. 22, 2024 and will promote a shift supervisor from within after the move.

Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter requested creation of four jailer positions (wage classification CPOLE III); the board approved creating the positions contingent on County Council funding. Auditor Sandra L. Morton requested and received approval to change the Northeast Dubois School Resource Officer wage classification from CPOLE III to CPOLE V. Chief Deputy Jesus Monarrez opened sealed bids on two surplus 2019 Dodge Chargers and the commissioners approved selling both vehicles to Washington Chrysler Center, which submitted the highest bids ($7,000 and $7,500).

Samuel Osterman requested permission to erect a POW/MIA monument on the courthouse lawn as an Eagle Scout project; VFW Post 673’s Ed Oser spoke in support. The commissioners tabled the request to gather public input and scheduled Osterman to return for the Aug. 19 meeting.

The board recorded monthly income figures for July (Recorder $19,861.81; Health Department $26,732.23; Auditor $16.00; Clerk $34,513.57), allowed claims as presented, and set its next regular meeting for Aug. 19, 2024 at 8:30 a.m.

Votes at a glance — All recorded motions at the Aug. 5 meeting carried unanimously (three commissioners present), including approval of the Community Corrections roof work; the Deaconess EMS contract; the C&R Construction contract waiver and signing; the CR 600 West change order (net decrease $1,776); two 911 hires; creation of four jailer positions (pending Council funding); the SRO wage reclassification; authorization to apply for the OCRA CDBG grant for Huntingburg Public Library; and the sale of two surplus sheriff vehicles to Washington Chrysler Center.