Gibson County commissioners approve construction-manager step for old jail demolition, award equipment sale and advance Toyota grant work

Gibson County commissioners approved several capital and procurement actions aimed at moving stalled projects forward. The board voted to accept a construction-manager proposal recommended by staff so bid packages for the old county jail demolition can be issued, clearing an administrative hurdle that enables formal solicitation of contractors. Commissioner (speaker 6) made the motion and it was seconded by speaker 3; the voice vote carried.

The board also approved the sale of an older distributor truck and tip spreader to the DuBois County Highway Department for $105,001 apiece after a sealed-bid process; Highway Department staff (Matt Willett, speaker 4) said the equipment will require some fitting work by the buyer and that the county will provide initial training. Commissioners discussed reserves and trade-in values before approving the sale by voice vote.

Separately, commissioners authorized advertising bids for intersection improvements funded through a Toyota grant (County Road 350 South at 100 East, and 100 East at 500 South) so construction can be scheduled during a planned July shutdown. They also approved a contract with HWC, the consultant that performed the traffic study, to complete design work and develop a longer-range intersection plan intended to create shovel-ready projects. The HWC contract and the motion to advertise bids were each moved by speaker 6 and seconded; both passed by voice vote.

The board additionally approved an INDOT memorandum of understanding for an unofficial detour tied to a Pike County project; the MOU is intended to protect the county and allow INDOT to reimburse any damage if traffic is routed over local roads during the state project.

The meeting closed with routine final business and adjournment; no schedule for demolition work or construction start dates was announced during the meeting.