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Commissioners decline to forward RDA membership resolution after split
Summary
A resolution to recommend continued Dubois County participation in the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA) was presented but received no motion after Commissioner Blessinger dissented; the issue will not be forwarded to the County Council.
Legal counsel Bill Kaiser presented a resolution on March 16 recommending the County continue participation in the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority (RDA), whose initial eight-year Dubois County membership term expires May 10, 2026.
RDA President Mark Schroeder urged the commissioners to continue membership so the RDA could complete its work. Commissioner Serice Stenftenagel said she would recommend the resolution be approved and forwarded to the County Council. Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger dissented, and because no motion was made the item died for lack of action; the board took no vote.
Several members of the public raised objections during the public comment period. Mark Nowotarski of the Coalition Against the Mid-States Corridor said the RDA does not represent all county residents and that he felt misrepresented by some RDA members. Melanie Barrett of the Town of Holland asked who would regulate and oversee private funds being raised. Julie Schutz of Jasper said she opposes the Mid-States Corridor, questioned the implications for taking on U.S. 231 and asked, "Will taxpayers be double-taxed?" Commissioner Blessinger noted the county is discussing possible relinquishment of U.S. 231 to local control with INDOT but said no decision has been made.
Because no motion was made, the commissioners did not forward a recommendation to the County Council; the next formal step would rest with council action should a resolution be introduced there.
