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Dubois County commissioners deadlock on proposed county administrator; motion fails 1–1–1
Summary
After a lengthy debate about need, pay and process, a motion to create a 2026 County Administrator position failed on a 1–1–1 vote: one aye, one nay and one abstention. Commissioner Blessinger abstained because he said he may apply for the job.
Commissioners of Dubois County debated the creation of a 2026 County Administrator post during their Oct. 6, 2025 meeting in Jasper, but a motion to create the position failed after a 1–1–1 vote.
Clerk Amy Kippenbrock objected to the proposal, saying the position had not been adequately discussed with department heads and that the proposed wage did not align with existing elected officials and staff pay. Several elected officials and department heads attended the meeting in support of Kippenbrock’s concerns, she said.
Commissioner Serice Stenftenagel defended the position as a way to “provide more attention to significant projects, initiatives, and assets in the County,” saying a small committee drafted the job description. Stenftenagel moved to create the position; Commissioner Nick Hostetter seconded. Commissioner Chad A. Blessinger said he would abstain from the vote because he is considering applying for the role. With Stenftenagel recorded as yes, Hostetter as no and Blessinger abstaining, the motion did not receive a majority and therefore failed.
The discussion included comments that the County Council will review wage classifications and ranges for all county positions; the motion ended without further direction or modification.
Next steps: no position was created at this meeting, and the commissioners did not schedule a follow-up vote.
