Bartholomew County commissioners approve mowing contract, IT purchase, grant and emergency highway expense

Bartholomew County Commissioners on Feb. 9 approved a series of routine and operational items, including a three‑year roadside mowing contract, an IT equipment purchase for the sheriff’s department, a small emergency management grant and the ratification of an emergency highway equipment purchase.

The three commissioners — Chairman Tony London, Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop and Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz — were present in the Commissioners' Chambers. Commissioner Kleinhenz moved to approve the Feb. 2 minutes; Commissioner Lienhoop seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

The meeting’s most consequential procurement was the award of the 2026 roadside mowing contract. County Engineer Danny Hollander recommended awarding the three‑year contract to the lowest bidder, Midwest Landscape Industries of Indianapolis. The contract is structured as Year 1 $164,584.46, Year 2 $164,584.46 and Year 3 $169,521.99, for a grand total of $498,690.91. Commissioner Tony London moved to award the contract; Commissioner Lienhoop seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The contract will govern county roadside mowing services for the three‑year term specified in the bid documents.

Also on procurement, IT Director Scott Mayes presented a planned replacement of the sheriff’s mobile and investigative laptops. The project calls for replacing 31 Getac V110 Gen4 units with Getac V120 models and updating detective and administrative Gen4 or older units to Getac S510 models. Two vendor quotes were solicited: CDW‑G ($132,053.44) and SHI ($162,680.58). Commissioner Kleinhenz moved to accept the CDW‑G quote of $132,053.44; Commissioner Lienhoop seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Funding for the purchases was stated to be available in the approved 2026 IT equipment maintenance and replacement budget.

EMA Director Shannon Cooke reported that the county applied for and received an Advance Grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for $2,500 to buy supplies to support local warming centers and cooling stations during the grant period (February–May 2026). The grant requires a budget but no county match. Commissioner Lienhoop moved to ratify the award; Commissioner Kleinhenz seconded and the ratification passed unanimously.

County Engineer Hollander also presented and obtained ratification for an emergency purchase of three conveyor chains from Reading Truck of Indianapolis, paid from Highway Department funds at a cost of $5,581.00. Commissioner Kleinhenz moved to ratify the expenditure; Commissioner Lienhoop seconded and the motion passed unanimously.

Routine business included approval of claims (motion by Commissioner Lienhoop, second by Commissioner Kleinhenz) and the Weekly Permits Report for Feb. 2–6, 2026, which reported 14 new permits, $2,079 in fees and a reported value of $1,320,678. Hollander also gave the Highway Weekly Crew Report detailing maintenance tasks and winter operations including production of 25,000 gallons of brine and snow‑route checks.

County offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in observance of Presidents’ Day. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. With no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Votes at a glance

- Approve Minutes (Feb. 2, 2026): Motion by Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz; second by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop. Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). - Approve Claims (as presented): Motion by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop; second by Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz. Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). - Ratify emergency highway purchase (three conveyor chains, Reading Truck): Motion by Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz; second by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop. Amount: $5,581.00. Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). - Award roadside mowing contract (Midwest Landscape Industries): Motion by Commissioner Tony London; second by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop. Amounts: Y1 $164,584.46; Y2 $164,584.46; Y3 $169,521.99; total $498,690.91. Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). - Ratify Duke Energy Foundation Advance Grant: Motion by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop; second by Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz. Amount: $2,500. Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0). - Accept CDW‑G quote for sheriff laptop replacements: Motion by Commissioner Larry S. Kleinhenz; second by Commissioner Carl H. Lienhoop. Quote: $132,053.44 (CDW‑G). Outcome: approved unanimously (3–0).

(All vote outcomes reported in the meeting record as "passed unanimously." If roll‑call votes or individual vote breakdowns are required, the minutes did not provide them.)