Council advertises several appropriations, approves maintenance and temporary dispatcher pay, and readies solar abatement review

The Dubois County Council agreed Aug. 14 to advertise several additional appropriation requests for the September meeting and approved two motions on the agenda: a $3,350 appropriation for St. Charles Annex maintenance and an amendment to the salary ordinance to pay an additional 911 dispatcher up to $1,940.00 biweekly through the end of 2024.

Auditor Sandra L. Morton requested the St. Charles Annex maintenance appropriation for security door work; President Michael W. Kluesner moved approval, Ryan Craig seconded and the motion carried 6‑0. Morton also presented an amendment to fund a second 911 dispatcher with holiday pay to be paid from the 911 Statewide Surcharge Fund; Doug Uebelhor moved, Meredith Voegerl seconded and the motion passed 6‑0.

The council also directed staff to advertise additional appropriation requests to be considered at the September meeting, including Courthouse Fountain Maintenance ($3,758.29); Commissioners’ building and vehicle insurance/liability ($50,000); jail budget requests for four jailers and associated benefits (amounts not specified); Community Corrections Project Income Fund for electronic monitoring ($19,620.92); and a request from the Northeast Dubois Fire Protection District ($62,500 from the Special Cum Fire Fund). Consensus was to advertise these requests rather than act immediately.

On tax abatement matters, President Kluesner said the Property Tax Abatement Committee will meet Aug. 23 at noon to score an application from the Duff Solar Park. Member Alex Hohl raised the possibility of a countywide moratorium on abatements for solar parks; the County Attorney is preparing draft ordinance language for future council consideration.

The meeting concluded with scheduling for 2025 budget public hearings (Oct. 9) and budget adoption (Oct. 28); the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.