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Vigo County directors ask council for house‑manager stipends, furnace replacements and a transport van for group homes
Summary
Group homes director Norm Loudermilk asked the council to approve two $2,000 annual stipends for house managers, presented vendor estimates to replace failing boilers at Glenn Home (estimates discussed around $45,800–$46,500), and requested a 2024 Ford Transit transport vehicle (~$38,500) funded from the non‑reverting account; presenters emphasized DCS billing and participation in juvenile diversion programs.
Norm Loudermilk, director of Vigo County group homes, asked the council to consider multiple appropriations to support operations and facility reliability.
On house managers: Loudermilk presented a proposed salary‑ordinance amendment to create a house‑manager stipend (agenda item 2026‑17). He said two staff — one at the Carpenter House and one at the Glenn Home — are already performing supervisory duties in addition to direct care and requested a $2,000 per‑person annual stipend to recognize those added responsibilities. “That just simply is too much” for a single operations manager to supervise both houses, Loudermilk said, listing duties that include coordinating schedules, addressing job performance, ordering supplies and reporting to DCS.
On facility repairs: Loudermilk described repeated boiler failures at the Glenn Home and proposed removing radiators and installing two gas furnaces with central air to meet DCS temperature requirements (minimum 62°F). He presented two vendor estimates; the figures reported in the presentation were discussed as approximately $45,800 and $46,500. The presenter said work would be paid from the non‑reverting account and noted that DCS payment for placements helps cover operational costs.
On transportation: The county requested an appropriation (2026‑19) to buy a 2024 Ford Transit from a local vendor (Dorsett’s Auto) for approximately $38,500, with modest additional funds to cover title, registration and protective floor mats. The presenter said the non‑reverting fund will cover the purchase and any unspent portion will revert at year end.
Operations and revenue context: In Q&A Loudermilk and house manager Saunders said the two homes currently serve seven children (three at one site, four at the other), that census fluctuates, and that billing to DCS recently began; Loudermilk said the program billed about $183,000 on the day of the meeting and estimated monthly billing could reach $180,000–$200,000 depending on census. He also noted the per‑child daily DCS fee reported for the county is $962 and that a legislated cost‑of‑living increase may raise that in coming years.
Next steps: These items were presented for council consideration; no final votes on the appropriations were recorded at this meeting. The council will take formal action at its designated voting meeting.
