Dubois County commissioners recommend continued participation in Mid‑States Corridor RDA, 2‑1

The Dubois County Board of Commissioners voted 2‑1 on March 20, 2026 to recommend that the County Council approve continued participation in the Mid‑States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA). Commissioner Serice Stenftenagel moved to approve Resolution 2026‑04; Commissioner Nick Hostetter seconded, and Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger cast the lone dissenting vote.

Why it matters: RDA officials said the authority completed a federally required Tier 1 study that identified the need for a new terrain road to address north‑south logistics and that a Tier 2 study — required by federal regulations to identify preferred routes, traffic flow and intersection designs — is expected in fall 2026 with a record of decision anticipated in 2027. The county’s initial eight‑year membership term in the RDA expires May 10, 2026; the board’s resolution formally recommends continued participation to the County Council under Indiana Code §36‑7.6 et seq.

What officials said: Bill Kaiser, the RDA’s legal counsel, told commissioners the RDA was formed in 2017 and that members were appointed in 2018, with the Lochmueller Group hired to complete the Tier 1 study. Kaiser said Tier 1 was paid for by local and private funds and that the RDA follows state public‑entity guidelines, holds public meetings and is audited; he said a written interpretation from the State is pending on questions about withdrawal timing after the initial eight‑year commitment. RDA Chairman Mark Schroeder said the Tier 1 contracted cost did not exceed $7 million, with $6,750,000 paid to INDOT and roughly $250,000 used for RDA operations and audits, and asked for an additional 12–18 months to complete the Tier 2 study.

Board debate and vote: Commissioner Blessinger said the resolution is advisory and questioned whether county officials — rather than the RDA — should be making corridor decisions. Commissioner Stenftenagel said she convened the meeting to have her questions answered and emphasized she must make an informed decision despite public pressure: "I have been taunted and accused of not being qualified to make decisions," she said. Hostetter said he had been on the council when the RDA was formed, had a working understanding of the authority, and raised no questions prior to the vote.

Public comment: Following the vote the board opened public comment, where multiple residents urged more transparency and questioned the RDA’s representation. Brad Hochgesang presented a citizen resolution opposing the RDA and said—without providing source documentation—that "81% of the citizens oppose the corridor." Jeanne Melchior, who said she has opposed prior road studies dating to 1990, asked, "What is the greater good for our citizens? What guarantees do we have for the future?" Other commenters raised concerns that RDA attorney fees were paid with taxpayer money, questioned why the RDA reportedly did not solicit public input during its meetings, and asked whether INDOT’s reported sudden availability of Tier 2 funding alters earlier statements about resources.

What the resolution does and next steps: Resolution 2026‑04 states the Commissioners recommend continued membership in the Mid‑States Corridor RDA and that continued participation serves a public purpose; it is not binding and will be forwarded to the Dubois County Council for its consideration. RDA officials and several residents also said construction is not within the RDA’s scope and that member organizations would decide future steps if the corridor advances.

Details and clarifications: The RDA said the Tier 1 contract totaled no more than $7 million, with $6,750,000 remitted to INDOT and about $250,000 used for RDA administration and auditing; the Tier 2 study is federally required and expected to conclude in fall 2026 with a record of decision in 2027. The RDA stated its financial statements are audited by the State Board of Accounts and are available online; Kaiser said he has requested a written state interpretation regarding withdrawal after the initial eight‑year membership commitment.

The special meeting convened at 1:00 p.m. in the Courthouse Annex in Jasper and adjourned at 2:25 p.m.