Dubois County approves 2026 roadway treatment plan, bridge work and multiple administrative policies

The Dubois County Board of Commissioners on April 6 approved a set of highway, administrative and fiscal items including the 2026 Roadway Treatment Plan, bridge rehabilitation schedules and several county policies.

Highway Engineer Levi Leffert presented the 2026 Roadway Treatment Plan, which includes a mix of asphalt overlays, Rejuvtec applications, chip seal patching, gravel-to-chip conversions and chip-seal overlays totaling approximately 72.55 miles of proposed treatments for 2026. Leffert said the highway department also plans to use rubberized crack sealing as part of preventative maintenance and that six in-house paving contracts covering about 10.13 miles will be advertised in mid-April with bid openings set for May 4, 2026. “The plan includes a combination of overlays, Rejuvtec, chip seal patching and conversions totaling approximately 72.55 miles,” Leffert said. The board voted to approve the plan.

The board adopted Resolution No. 2026-06 to terminate the 2023 interlocal agreement with the City of Jasper for the 15th Street extension and bridge construction after the city determined the project is no longer a priority; the county authorized the board and auditor to execute the termination agreement and related documents.

Bridge work planned this spring includes a full closure of Bridge 78 (CR 600 W over the Patoka River) beginning April 9 for deck rehabilitation, possibly lasting up to 60 days, and overlay work on Bridge 107 and Bridge 240 with four- to five-week closures in early May. Bridge 119 demolition and beam replacement is underway and reported to be ahead of schedule. Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken said the White Stallion reclamation team is finishing wash-plant work and will then move onto CR 700W, and that two part-time summer hires will resume mowing and weed spraying duties.

The board approved a contract with Vialytics for traffic/road analytics after the vendor reduced its annual cost to about $30,028.25 and waived startup fees. Leffert described the cost savings and the board approved the contract.

Administrative and personnel matters approved include declaring specified 911 Communications and Health Department equipment surplus; authorizing an Employee Rental Vehicle Use Policy that sets booking, insurance, use and noncompliance rules; approving termination of the support contract with United Systems & Software effective at contract end (Sept. 30, 2026); and appointing Jasper Mayor Ryan Craig to the Emergency Management Advisory Council for the remainder of an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2027.

The board also approved Resolution No. 2026-07, submitted by Becky Guthrie of Ride Solutions, authorizing submission of a CY2027 Section 5311/5339 Federal Transit Administration grant application and designating Four Rivers Resource Services/DSI Services, Southern Indiana Resource Services, and Southern Indiana Development District to coordinate and file necessary documents with INDOT.

What was not resolved: residents’ questions about countywide zoning and specifics of inspection authority for energy projects were raised during public comment and were not decided at this meeting. The board scheduled the next regular meeting for April 20, 2026.

Votes at a glance: - Strassenfest courthouse-use request: approved (motion carried) - 2025 Annual Operational Report: approved - 2026 Roadway Treatment Plan: approved - Vialytics contract (~$30,028.25): approved - Resolution 2026-06 (terminate 15th Street interlocal agreement): adopted - Surplus items declaration: approved - Employee Rental Vehicle Use Policy: approved - United Systems & Software contract termination (effective Sept. 30, 2026): approved - Appointment of Jasper Mayor Ryan Craig to EM Advisory Council: approved - Resolution 2026-07 (FTA Section 5311/5339 authorization): adopted