Pike County commissioners elect leaders, approve year-end EMS transfers and appointments

The Pike County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 5, 2026, elected Commissioner Mark Flint as board president and Commissioner Ryan Coleman as vice president and approved several year-end EMS budget transfers and five administrative appointments, according to the meeting minutes.

Auditor Judith Gumbel called the meeting to order and conducted the reorganization votes. Commissioner Ryan Coleman nominated Mark Flint for president, seconded by Commissioner Jeff Nelson; the minutes record the vote as 3-0 in favor. Nelson then seconded a motion by Commissioner Flint to make Ryan Coleman vice president, which the minutes also record as passing 3-0. Gumbel then turned the meeting over to President Flint.

Why it matters: the organization and routine budget housekeeping set leadership and clear short-term financial direction for county operations as departments transition into the new calendar year.

Director Chris Young told the board the transfers were ‘‘end-of-year adjustments’’ made to keep EMS accounts from going negative and listed four moves between EMS payroll, benefits and employer tax accounts. The minutes list the transfers and amounts as follows: $122.02 from 1170-10351-0000 (Asst EMS Director) to 1170-10341-0000 (Director); $597.00 from 1170-10381-0000 (Basic EMT) to 1170-10710-0000 (FICA); $726.35 from 1170-10320-0000 (Paramedic) to 1170-10720-0000 (PERF); and $863.35 from 1170-10381-0000 (Basic EMT) to 1170-10730-0000 (Group Insurance). Commissioners Nelson and Coleman moved and seconded approval of the transfers; the minutes record the motion as carried 3-0.

The board also approved five 2026 appointments: Kristi Dischinger as Pike County Administrator; Chris Young as Pike County EMS Director; Josh Byrd as Pike County Highway Superintendent; Dennis Weitkamp as Pike County Veterans’ Officer; and Cynthia Gaskins as a Tri-Kap Advisory Board member. The minutes show Commissioner Coleman moved and Commissioner Nelson seconded the appointments; the record lists the motion as carried "5 - 0." (The meeting earlier records three commissioners present; the minutes contain this internal inconsistency.)

Other routine business: Highway Superintendent Josh Byrd reported he and a colleague inspected county roads ahead of the Next ERA project, that roads south of Petersburg have been repaired, and that Dutchtown roads will be reworked in spring under the AREVON project. He said he is coordinating culvert installations with Nathan Wagler before spring paving begins. County Administrator Kristi Dischinger said courthouse tuckpointing is complete with cleaning and sealing still to do and that a courthouse monument requires repair. Auditor Judith Gumbel said W-2s will be available this week. EMA/E-911 Director Kyler Henry said staff are preparing a backup dispatch station at the Municipal Building in Winslow and that a generator has been moved to support that site. Sheriff Jason McKinney said demolition of the Melhiser building requires arranging a visual barrier at the jail building door.

Formal approvals recorded in the minutes include the Dec. 18, 2025 minutes and claims for Jan. 5, 2026, each approved on a 3-0 recorded vote. With no public comment, the board adjourned after a motion by Commissioner Coleman and a second by Commissioner Nelson; the minutes record the adjournment vote as 3-0.

What the minutes do not resolve: the appointments vote is recorded as 5-0 while other votes are recorded 3-0 and the attendance list names three commissioners present; the minutes do not reconcile that difference. The meeting location is not specified beyond the date and time in the minutes. The board did not take any other legislative or contractual actions at this session.