Dubois County commissioners approve highway contracts, appropriations and transit resolution; set compliance timeline for unsafe building owner

The Dubois County Board of Commissioners on April 21 approved multiple highway contracts and appropriations, granted routine permits for community events, adopted a resolution to enable a federal transit grant application and set deadlines for remediation of an unsafe building.

Highway contracts and appropriations led the meeting. Highway Engineer Brent Wendholt presented and the board approved a contract with Calcar Paving, Inc. for CCMG 2025-01 paving projects and accepted a sole-source quote from Rejuv Tech, Inc. for rejuvenation work totaling $186,595.20 for specified county roads, contingent on County Council funding. The board also approved additional appropriations for the Highway and Local Road & Street funds across multiple line items. Wendholt submitted his resignation effective May 2, 2025 and was thanked for his service.

The board approved a request from Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken to send a county vehicle and employee to Pine Ridge Elementary’s Career Day on May 15, 2025 and authorized closure and use of county roads for the St. Henry Run/Walk scheduled for June 14, 2025; organizers will coordinate signage and cones with the Highway Department.

911 Director Stuart Wilson presented multiple fence installation quotes for the 911 tower on the Security Center campus; the board approved the K&W PV Fencing quote ($4,366.74) pending County Council funding approval. Corie Eckerle was granted permission to use the Courthouse grounds for Strassenfest (July 31–August 3, 2025).

Auditor Sandra L. Morton presented surplus items (three office chairs for the Title IV-D office), which were declared surplus by motion. Community Corrections Director Wyatt Madden received the board’s support to file roughly 100 small-claims suits in Dubois County’s name to collect delinquent balances and to use the Tax Refund Exchange & Compliance System (TRECS) to intercept state income tax refunds where applicable. Madden also reported ongoing roof issues at the Community Corrections building.

On governance and administration, Treasurer Craig Greulich outlined concerns about the county’s current financial software (Harris Financial Solutions) and presented alternatives, including a quote of $219,345 for Low Associates’ Window Financial Accounting Suite plus $53,000 annual maintenance. The board’s consensus was to defer any change and continue researching.

The board discussed public-safety concerns about grass clippings and debris being blown onto county roadways. Commissioner Nick Hostetter said he preferred enforcement of existing state laws by the Sheriff’s Department rather than adoption of a county ordinance; attendee Russ Friedman urged the board to adopt an ordinance. The board declined to establish a county ordinance and encouraged property owners to clear clippings from roadways.

Health Administrative Director Shawn Werner and Environmental Health Specialist Christina Pierini briefed the board on a complaint about an unsafe, dilapidated building at 5390 Main St., Dubois. Owner Rob Slotten told the board he has not had funds to remove debris and may consider selling or refurbishing the property. The board motioned that Slotten return on May 5, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. with either a purchase agreement or a contractor agreement to complete remediation within six weeks and must immediately clear the county right-of-way.

Becky Guthrie of Ride Solutions requested a resolution to support filing a CY2025 application for Section 5311/5339 transit grant funding; the board unanimously adopted Resolution No. 2025-02, designating local nonprofit providers and authorizing the Southern Indiana Development District to execute and file the application and related agreements.

Other business included review of the March 27 jail inspection report, placement of commemorative lanterns in the Courthouse tower windows for the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride, and scheduling the next meeting for May 5, 2025 at 8:00 a.m.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of April 7, 2025 minutes and claims: carried unanimously (board approved as presented). - County vehicle/employee to attend Pine Ridge Elementary Career Day: approved unanimously. - CCMG 2025-01 contract with Calcar Paving, Inc.: approved unanimously. - Rejuv Tech, Inc. quote for rejuvenation ($186,595.20): approved pending County Council funding. - Additional appropriations for Highway and Local Road & Street funds: approved unanimously. - St. Henry Run/Walk roadway closures (June 14, 2025): approved unanimously. - 911 tower fence installation (K&W PV Fencing quote): approved pending County Council funding. - Strassenfest Courthouse use (July 31–Aug 3, 2025): approved unanimously. - Resolution No. 2025-02 (Section 5311/5339 application support): adopted unanimously. - Declaration of surplus items (3 office chairs): approved unanimously. - Support for Community Corrections to file small-claims suits and use TRECS: approved unanimously.

What happens next

Several approvals (Rejuv Tech quote, 911 tower fence) are contingent on County Council funding; the owner of 5390 Main St. must appear May 5 with a remediation plan. County staff will continue researching financial software options and return with recommendations if a change is proposed.

Attributions: Quotes and motions reported in this article are from the county meeting record of April 21, 2025. All attributions in this article are to speakers recorded in the meeting transcript.