Jennings County commissioners approve polling-site consolidations, contracts and water-line permit

Jennings County commissioners unanimously approved a set of routine agenda items and election logistics during a short meeting that also included praise for a rapid emergency road repair.

The commissioners approved two travel requests: permission for Dan Brook of the county veteran service office to attend an annual training (no cost to the county) and for Mary Kilgore, the county recorder, to attend the April recorders conference (cost to come from county general funds). A clerk reading packets told the commission that Brook’s trip would be a one-day round trip using a county vehicle. "He is asking to attend the annual training over the summer. There is no cost to attend this," the clerk said.

The board also authorized county staff to sign a cyber insurance renewal in May after staff and the auditor’s office worked with Eagle Point Technology to gather needed information; a commissioner moved to authorize the signature and the motion passed unanimously.

Recorder Mary Kilgore told the commission her part-time employee had accepted a full-time position with the assessor’s office. Kilgore said the vacancy is for 28 hours per week at $18 an hour and that the position was already budgeted; commissioners approved proceeding to fill the post.

Elections staff described proposed polling-site consolidations ahead of the next election and asked the commission to designate the locations so county staff can enter them in the state system. Staff said combining smaller locations into ‘‘super sites’’ reduces the number of poll workers required and can make staffing easier, subject to county election board approval under state code. The commission approved three polling sites, including continuing Sand Creek at the Nazarene Church Life Center, by unanimous vote. "If it works out and we want to, we can use it as a permanent site... It works really well for us," an elections staff member said.

The commission also approved a yearly audit contract renewal with Malcon, a vendor used by multiple county departments including highway. A county representative described the contract as a routine renewal and noted the firm has helped the county locate audit findings previously.

On a separate item, the board authorized Jennings Water to install a water line for a landowner identified as Yoder along County Road 400 East and 800 North for roughly 1,800 feet. Commissioners discussed whether the installation would require boring under the road and approved allowing the line in the right of way.

The meeting closed with routine approvals of prior minutes (including an extra meeting on Feb. 27), payroll and claims. Commissioners also took a moment to thank county highway crews and a private contractor for a rapid repair after a culvert failure that temporarily stranded eight households; one speaker said, "Only in Jennings County could that happen," expressing pride in the quick response. A motion to adjourn passed unanimously.

The actions approved were procedural and administrative; no contested votes or formal disputes were recorded in the transcript. Next procedural steps include entering polling-site changes into the state system and staff executing the signed insurance renewal and contract filings.