Hendricks County commissioners approve contracts, rezoning and send $350,000 workforce training recommendation to council

The Hendricks County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 27 approved multiple contracts and procurement notices, unanimously approved a rezoning ordinance, and sent a favorable recommendation to the County Council for a $350,000 workforce training grant supporting Hyster‑Yale’s Project Lift in Avon.

The board approved an hourly‑rate proposal from Financial Solutions Group for TIF consulting; a $15,000 annual maintenance agreement for the Infinity voting system; and a $20,000 machine technician contract for the 2026 voting year. Debbie Riley presented the voting‑related items. The board also approved a $31,250 Studio View proposal to design a Sheriff's Office training buildout and Animal Control offices, and approved a quote for five Axon tasers totaling $18,589.15 requested by Sheriff Jack Sadler.

Planning Director Tim Dombrosky presented rezoning case ZA 530/25 to rezone 2.45 acres at 1593 E. U.S. Highway 136 from AGR to GB; the Plan Commission had unanimously recommended approval and the commissioners voted 3‑0 to adopt Ordinance No. 2026‑03. Economic development representatives Joe Jasin and interim executive director John Taylor asked the board to forward a favorable recommendation to the County Council for a $350,000 workforce training grant for Hyster‑Yale’s Project Lift in Avon; the commissioners voted unanimously to send the recommendation.

Engineering staff presented procurement actions: a Notice to Bidders for Bridge No. 49 (bids due Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.) and a Request for Qualifications to design Bridge Nos. 141 and 198 (RFQs due Feb. 16, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.). The board approved both to proceed.

Commissioner Dawes presented the Council Attorney contract with Cook Government Advisors ($2,200/month; $275/hour for overages) and a County Attorney contract with Steuerwald Witham & Youngs ($60,000/year plus $300/hour outside meetings); both were approved.

The board also appointed Dr. Gary Maloney to the Animal Control Advisory Group, recorded consensus support for the Sheriff’s request to lease vehicles through Enterprise, and acknowledged routine departmental reports before adjourning at 9:35 a.m.

Votes at a glance • Approve Minutes (Jan. 13, 2026) — 3‑0 approved (mover: Whicker; second: Gentry). • Approve Claims/Direct Deposits 273083–273633 — 3‑0 approved. • Financial Solutions Group proposal (TIF consulting) — 3‑0 approved. • IndyGo Section 5307 claim voucher for $162,407.50 — 3‑0 approved. • Recommend $350,000 workforce training grant (Project Lift, Hyster‑Yale) to County Council — 3‑0 approved (favorable recommendation only). • Infinity voting system annual maintenance ($15,000) — 3‑0 approved. • Machine technician contract for 2026 ($20,000 to Scott Butrum) — 3‑0 approved. • Rezoning ZA 530/25; Ordinance No. 2026‑03 — 3‑0 approved. • Studio View design proposal ($31,250) — 3‑0 approved. • Notice to Bidders: Bridge No. 49 (bids due Feb. 24, 2026) — 3‑0 approved to publish. • RFQ: Design Bridge Nos. 141 & 198 (RFQs due Feb. 16, 2026) — 3‑0 approved to publish. • Council Attorney contract (Cook Government Advisors) — 3‑0 approved. • County Attorney contract (Steuerwald Witham & Youngs) — 3‑0 approved. • Axon Enterprises quote for five tasers ($18,589.15) — 3‑0 approved. • Appointment of Dr. Gary Maloney to Animal Control Advisory Group — 3‑0 approved.

All recorded votes at the meeting minutes were unanimous (3‑0). The minutes record motions moved by Commissioner Brad Whicker or Commissioner Bob Gentry and seconded as noted; no roll‑call dissent or abstentions were recorded.