Harrison County commissioners approve $1.53M road contract, $128,729 transit grant and zoning change; discuss police benefits

Harrison County commissioners on Aug. 18 approved a $1,531,060 contract with Lochmueller Group for the New Middletown–Elizabeth Road project and signed off on a series of claims, contracts and personnel requests.

County engineer Kevin Russel told the board that the Indiana Department of Transportation had approved Lochmueller Group’s fee and proposed contract and that the county council had approved funding; Russel asked the commissioners to sign the contract, and Commissioner Brad Wiseman moved to approve and sign it. Commissioner Annissa Kellum seconded and the motion carried, 3-0. Russel also reported INDOT approval of Clark Deitz’s fee and proposed contract for flashing signals on Corydon Ramsey Road, Pacer Drive and Hospital Drive; he said the county council will vote on an additional appropriation on Aug. 25, 2025, and he plans to present the contract to the commissioners on Sept. 2 for final action.

The board approved a $128,729.00 5311 grant claim for Blue River Services’ second quarter after Transportation Director Roland Lemus presented the request. Commissioner Wiseman moved to approve the claim and to allow Commissioner Nelson Stepro to sign on the commissioners’ behalf; Commissioner Kellum seconded and the motion carried, 3-0.

Russel presented a Sourcewell quote from McGavic Outdoor Power to buy two 10,000-gallon brine storage tanks. Commissioner Kellum moved to forward a funding request of $34,700 from the motor vehicle highway fund to purchase the tanks; Commissioner Wiseman seconded and the motion carried, 3-0. Russel also updated the board on an ongoing bridge project (iron work nearly complete and concrete pours to follow) and noted the highway department’s interest in buying a sliding-axle trailer; the commissioners authorized Commissioner Stepro and Highway Superintendent Glen Bube to bid on equipment at a local consignment auction.

During the meeting the board adjusted a flagged reimbursement claim to vendor #1221, Melanie Kerr-Radcliff, reducing the payment to exclude sales tax; the adjusted payment of $159.98 was approved unanimously. County auditor Sara Burdick presented a request for 20 hours of leave without pay for a deputy in the treasurer’s office; Commissioner Wiseman moved to approve the leave but the motion passed with two ayes and one abstention (Commissioner Stepro abstained).

A discussion about police department benefits drew attention but no immediate change. County patrol officer Colin Vetor asked the commissioners to consider expanding vacation accruals and other benefits for officers. County Attorney Chris Byrd advised coordinating proposed changes with department heads and elected officials rather than making department-specific exceptions. Sheriff Nick Smith voiced support for the officers’ proposals, emphasizing retention concerns and saying officers face high rates of divorce and suicide. Commissioner Stepro said he would favor only countywide personnel policy changes and indicated the commissioners plan to revise personnel policies in the future; he declined to approve department-specific changes at this meeting.

Planning Commission Director Chris Kincade presented a zoning petition to reclassify parcels from B-1 and A-R to a planned unit development. Commissioner Kellum moved to approve Ordinance 2025-12 to change the zone; Commissioner Wiseman seconded and the motion carried, 3-0.

The board approved a mechanical, electrical and plumbing contract with RQAW as presented and then adjourned the meeting at 7:31 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the meeting recorded unanimous 3-0 votes to approve the Lochmueller Group contract ($1,531,060), the Blue River Services 5311 grant payment ($128,729), the brine storage tanks funding request ($34,700), the ordinance 2025-12 rezoning, the RQAW MEP contract and other routine claims; the treasurer deputy LWOP was approved 2-0-1 with Commissioner Stepro abstaining.