Brown County commissioners adopt Building Safety Month, approve Pleasant Township easement and consider county contracts

The Brown County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session May 4, 2026, and approved a series of routine items, adopted a proclamation recognizing Building Safety Month and took motions on several county contracts.

Tony Applegate, president of the Brown County Board of Commissioners, was present along with members Barry L. Woodruff and Gordon Ellis. County Administrator Sarah Beath and Clerk Charlene Fithen were also recorded in attendance.

Early in the meeting Mr. Barry L. Woodruff moved to approve the minutes of the previous regular meeting; Mr. Gordon Ellis seconded and the board recorded the motion as approved by roll call.

The board adopted a proclamation declaring May 2026 as Building Safety Month. Mr. Gordon Ellis moved to adopt the proclamation, which cites the International Code Council and notes the theme "Built to Last." The proclamation emphasizes modern building codes and the role of building-safety and fire-prevention professionals in protecting lives and property; the motion passed by roll call with all members recorded as "yea."

During the public-comment portion, Thomas Poor attended to discuss consultant and grant applications related to the county airport. Two other attendees—Randy Latham and Paul Riley—were noted as present; the transcript records no formal comments from Latham or Riley.

On contracts and property matters, the board addressed several items on the agenda:

- Cornerstone Detention Products, Inc.: The agenda lists this contract with a heading that includes the word "TABLED," but the minutes show a motion by Mr. Woodruff to discuss a preventative maintenance contract covering 12 electromechanical swinging doors and 49 electromechanical cell sliding doors; Mr. Ellis seconded and the motion was recorded as approved by roll call. The transcript does not include contract text beyond the equipment description.

- Pleasant Township replat easement: Mr. Gordon Ellis moved to approve a 20-foot easement for ingress and egress on a 0.787-acre replat in Pleasant Township; Mr. Woodruff seconded and the board approved the easement by roll call.

- Greystone Systems, Inc. VOIP lease for Municipal Court: Mr. Woodruff moved to enter a contract with Greystone Systems, Inc., for VOIP phone equipment for the Municipal Court at $594.51 per month for one year; Mr. Ellis seconded. The record indicates a roll call vote was taken but the transcript does not specify the vote tally for that motion.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn moved by Mr. Woodruff and seconded by Mr. Ellis; roll call recorded all members as "yea." Administrative notes appended to the minutes record that Commissioner Woodruff attended a Law Library Resources Board meeting on May 1, 2026, and that commissioners reviewed a Monthly Fund Report approved by the Auditor and Treasurer on May 4, 2026.

Votes at a glance - Approval of previous minutes: Motion passed (roll call recorded all "yea"). - Proclamation: May 2026 declared Building Safety Month: Approved (roll call recorded all "yea"). - Cornerstone Detention Products preventative maintenance contract discussion: Motion to discuss/approve recorded as passed (roll call recorded all "yea"). - Pleasant Township 20-foot easement for 0.787-acre replat: Approved (roll call recorded all "yea"). - Greystone Systems VOIP equipment lease ($594.51/month for one year): Motion taken; roll call vote recorded but tally not specified in the transcript.

The board adjourned with no further business. The minutes include administrative follow-ups including attendance at a Law Library Resources Board meeting and review of the Monthly Fund Report.