Residents urge withdrawal from Mid-States Corridor RDA; board approves Regional Sewer District legal services agreement pending funding

During public comment, Mark Nowotarski read a Dec. 12 letter signed by 68 residents urging Dubois County to withdraw from the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority, arguing the RDA has "broad statutory powers but no defined project" and raising governance and fiscal-responsibility concerns. Melanie Barrett, Town of Holland Board President, also urged the county to withdraw and asked that Holland be included in the Regional Sewer District.

Councilmember Deena Lewis presented a legal services agreement with Krieg DeVault, LLP to assist the Regional Sewer District with organization, operational procedures and advocacy through May 30, 2027. Lewis said the county’s obligation would be $45,000 for an interim cap of three months (Jan. 2026 to Mar. 2026); the board approved the agreement pending County Council funding approval.

Multiple citizens expressed appreciation for the solar moratorium and raised safety questions about battery energy storage siting. Tom Bartelt said he had been told there would be four batteries but that AES was pursuing 93 batteries and objected to lines crossing his property; Commissioner Blessinger said he believed "Homeland Security would be the approving body" for some aspects. Holly Gogel asked whether the board could pass a battery-storage moratorium; Commissioner Blessinger said he did not know if the board had that authority. Paul Gasser asked whether batteries are listed on the permit; Commissioner Blessinger said battery approvals occur elsewhere and are not part of the county permit process described in the meeting.

A motion to approve the legal services agreement for the Regional Sewer District, pending County Council funding approval, was made and carried.