Posey County commissioners lower speed limit on Barter Road, approve rezoning and other routine measures

Posey County Commissioners Bill Collins, Eric Koester and Greg Newman met April 21, 2026, at the Hovey House in Mt. Vernon and unanimously approved a slate of routine measures, including a speed limit reduction on Barter Road and the rezoning of an 11-acre parcel to residential multiple-family (R3).

Resident Michael Lutterbach petitioned the board to reduce the speed limit on Barter Road to 30 mph, saying, “Barter Rd. has several blind curves and is narrow, there is no way you can drive the road at 40mph.” Commissioner Bill Collins asked County Attorney Joe Harrison to prepare an ordinance to change the limit; the motion to lower the limit carried 3-0.

The commissioners approved a rezoning request from Keith Rheinlander to convert an 11-acre property from agricultural to R3 (residential multiple-family). Jerry Cotner of the Area Plan recommended approval. The motion to rezone passed 3-0.

County Attorney Joe Harrison presented a unified development ordinance (UDO) that had been considered by the Area Plan Commission and asked the board to waive the second reading. The commissioners adopted the UDO and waived the second reading by unanimous vote.

Harrison also recommended that Posey County participate in an opioid settlement being pursued by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office; the board voted 3-0 to apply as a participant.

Sheriff Tom Latham presented an updated Victus commissary contract and told the board proceeds would be used to offset maintenance for new sheriff’s vehicles; the contract was approved 3-0. Jaime Bradford of dispatch presented a three-year KAJ tower lease for the New Harmony tower; commissioners tabled that lease, citing the tower’s age and contract language that would limit the county’s recourse for negligence.

The board accepted a proposed crop-share lease on ten acres on Indian Mound Road with Mr. Goebel for a flat rent of $1,750 for the year and approved a custodial contract for the county Health Department building, each by 3-0 votes. Commissioners also approved routine housekeeping items — minutes from the April 7 meeting, claims, the March treasurer’s report and the March clerk’s report — by unanimous votes.

In department updates, Sheriff Latham reported inmate housing totals of 13 in the Department of Correction, 23 in Vanderburgh County and 96 in Posey County, for a total of 126 inmates. EMA Director Carrie Thompson said the council approved terminating the Code Red contract and that she has applied to the Center Point Community Foundation grant for emergency generators. Highway Superintendent Jeff Toelle said community crossing paving is nearly complete. Auditor Maegen Greenwell said the prosecutor’s request to purchase a used vehicle for the drug task force was approved by the board.

On the nuisance property at 3921 Davis Road, Building Commissioner Ed Battieger told the board conditions have improved; Commissioner Collins said additional work remains and moved to table enforcement for thirty days until the second meeting in May, a motion the board approved 3-0.

The board approved the Serenity Estates final assessment roll and related installment agreements for recording; Auditor Maegen Greenwell will sign the certification form. No votes in the meeting failed or were recorded as other than unanimous 3-0 votes. The board concluded the recorded business after the department updates; further action on 3921 Davis Road will resume at the second meeting in May.