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Dubois County Council votes to withdraw from Mid‑States Corridor Regional Development Authority
Summary
The Dubois County Council approved Ordinance 2026‑05 on April 27, 2026, authorizing the county’s withdrawal from the Mid‑States Corridor Regional Development Authority. The ordinance passed 6–1, will take effect 12 months from adoption, and drew both council debate and public comment.
The Dubois County Council on April 27, 2026, adopted Ordinance 2026‑05 to withdraw the county from the Mid‑States Corridor Regional Development Authority. The motion to adopt passed 6–1; Councilmember Deena J. Lewis cast the lone dissenting vote.
The ordinance, considered on second reading, states the county satisfied the minimum eight‑year membership term and that withdrawal will be effective 12 months after adoption, in keeping with Indiana Code § 36‑7.6‑2‑5. Council President Michael W. Kluesner read the ordinance and led the second‑reading procedure; Doug Uebelhor moved to adopt and Meredith I. Voegerl seconded the motion.
Councilmember Deena J. Lewis questioned the RDA’s decision to extend membership to 10 years and reiterated her prior opposition to the county’s withdrawal, saying she had received contacts from residents supporting her position and responding to outreach from stakeholders. Lewis referenced comments made by outside speakers including Jason McCoy of the Property Rights Alliance, Brad Hochgesang of Mid‑States Update, and Mark Nowotarski of the Coalition Against the Mid‑States Corridor while explaining her stance.
During the public‑comment period that followed, Mark Nowotarski addressed Councilmember Lewis and disputed her statements about his property and intentions, saying she had misstated facts. Brad Hochgesang similarly addressed Lewis and disagreed with her characterization of public polling. Resident Julie Schutz told the Council she respectfully disagreed with Lewis and said the issue should not be framed as political.
The ordinance document notes that, under state law, a county must either commit to an additional eight‑year membership period or give statutory notice of withdrawal 12–18 months before the end of its membership period; the Council’s ordinance elects withdrawal and sets the statutory 12‑month effective window. The action removes Dubois County from the RDA’s membership roster in one year unless the Council later votes otherwise.
Procedurally, the ordinance was adopted at the April 27 meeting and will become effective 12 months after adoption. The Council’s minutes show the measure passed with a single dissent but do not record further binding directions or conditions attached to the withdrawal.
