Parke County commissioners met to approve payroll and bills, consider bridge storm damage funding and a FEMA application, grant temporary access for a water line across county property, address private-road signage requests from residents, and review fair/festival vendor rules and railroad-crossing signage requirements.
Discussion Points
•Encouragement to engage with LTAP training resources
•Extent of damage to Coxville and Nevins bridges
•Extent of trenching (250 feet) and whether to bore under road
•Introduction of new superintendent Anthony Vandiver
•Material choice: thermoplastic vs paint
•Need for formal vendor policy
•Need for locates and restoration of field
•Offers to connect with neighboring county engineers
•Payroll amount presented
•Potential DOT grant for 2028
•Potential DOT railroad/grade-crossing grant opportunities
•Private roads are generally not county-maintained
•Rail office email requiring signs
•Requirement that vendors be present all advertised days
•Residents should check deeds and may buy their own signs
•Temporary shoring/temporary materials donation
•Vendor hygiene and enforcement
•Vendor invoices and net-30 payment arrangements
Decisions
•Approved $1,468.75 expenditure for required signs
Parke County commissioners met to review highway operations and materials, approve a federal EMA grant and an income tax ordinance adjustment, address jail medical costs, approve salary ordinance changes, and discuss park projects and budget transfers.
Discussion Points
•ADA kayak access crowdfunding ($31,000) and grant-seeking from local foundations
•A recent $75,000 bill was scrubbed to just under $13,000
•Contract cost about $13,400/month
•Contract reserved gallons (2,000) and octane minimum (90+ vs 87)
Parke County commissioners held a regular meeting covering payroll and claims approvals, festival vendor inclusion for the Covered Bridge event, multiple grant applications and reimbursements, a highway superintendent appointment and staffing/posting actions, a proposed on-call engineering services agreement (SJCA), owner-occupied rehab/CDBG application signatures, covered-bridge maintenance updates and a discussion of wind/data-center ordinance work.
Discussion Points
•Bucky named superintendent (not interim); posting foreman role to recruit candidates.
•CBC paid for three roof replacements this year and plans siding for West Union Bridge next year.
•Commissioner reported comparative salary survey and requested a $5,000 increase for commissioners.
•Commissioners discussed forming a nonprofit 'friends' group and using a foundation to bank donated maintenance funds.
•Commissioners require objective criteria: regular schedule, restroom availability, vendor counts and potential cost-sharing for porta-potties.
•Community Foundation will provide $20,000 local match; Community Action of Western Indiana to be subrecipient.
•Contract is auto-renewing for two years; task orders would define scope and fees.
•Grant application due Nov. 1; commissioners not obligating county funds beyond signature/administration.
•Highway budget largely spent; commissioners discussed prioritizing funds for fuel and winter operations and considering surplus sales.
•Low county pay affects recruitment and retention for multiple county roles.
•SJCA presented qualifications and a draft on-call agreement; no dollar commitment in the base agreement.
•State will conduct waterways drone surveys at no cost; Parke County approved for FEMA public assistance for storm damages.
•Vendors requested inclusion on festival map and advertising; vendors reported about 75 locked-in vendors.
•VMA grant application is a recurring request to recover payroll cost.
Decisions
•Appointment confirmed and position posting approved.
•Commissioners authorized submission of the VMA application and accepted briefing on state/federal post-storm programs.
•Commissioners tabled the SJCA item until next meeting.
•No immediate change; staff will compare proposal with current policy and return to commissioners before map printing.
•No immediate policy change; continued staff work requested.
•No immediate salary change by commissioners; referral to county council implied.
•Resolution approved and signature authority granted.
Directions
•Assess January ordering options for asphalt to align with next fiscal availability.
•Authorize chief elected official to sign application and related documents to meet grant deadlines.
•Post foreman position immediately and prepare surplus-equipment list for commissioners' review.
•Request county council to review salary survey data and consider recommendations in the budget process.
•Staff to attend FEMA meeting and pursue reimbursement documentation.
•Staff to continue development of nonprofit and fund structure and report back with recommendations.
•Staff to submit VMA application by the required deadline.
•Table action and circulate contract for review by commissioners and counsel.
•Vendors to submit written proposal with vendor counts, schedule and facilities for staff review.
County commissioners reviewed an amendment to a bridge-inspection contract, discussed priorities for a $1,000,000 Community Crossings grant (with a 20% local match), approved payroll and claims, heard a parks report that included a proposed ADA kayak dock and possible purchase of an aquatic harvester, and discussed logistics for an upcoming Beverage Festival (porta‑potties/vendor fees).
Discussion Points
•Federal NBIS guidance now requires inspection of railroad flat‑car bridges every 12 months; previous 'redundant member' exceptions were removed.
•Some bridges moved from 24‑month inspection intervals to 12‑month intervals, increasing inspection workload and possibly requiring equipment/platforms for access.
Decisions
•Motion to accept NBIS amendment recorded
Directions
•County will accept the amendment and officers will track reimbursement timing for the next fiscal year.
A Parke County board meeting covered a public hearing on a proposed levy-ordinance adjustment to keep the county tax rate at 2.65%, consideration of the 2027 budget ordinance (No. 2026-14), and a resolution (No. 2026-08) to adjust sheriff’s training stipends and replace a firearms instructor position with a physical tactics instructor.
Discussion Points
•Chair described shifting "4 hundreds of a percent" from the levy-freeze rate to another levy line while preserving a total county income tax rate of 2.65%.
•Chair reported the Form 4 issue was resolved and numbers were checked.
•Sheriff requested stipend change to cover a newly hired certified physical tactics instructor; Chair said the change replaces the firearms instructor stipend vacated by Chris Fisher and preserves overall appropriations.
Decisions
•A motion to adopt ordinance No. 2026-14 was called; transcript lacks a full recorded tally.
•Public hearing opened and closed with no public speakers; no final numeric detail or formal vote on the levy change is recorded in the transcript.
•Resolution 2026-08 was introduced and motioned; transcript does not show a complete tally.
Parke County commissioners approved a county ordinance banning jumping from covered bridges, declared a local disaster emergency for an Aug. 11 storm and handled several property-vacation ordinances, grant requests and contract and budgetary items including tabling a requested contract increase for bridge inspections.
Discussion Points
•$22,281 increase questioned; possible change from 24-month to 12-month inspections discussed
•Agency official recommended referencing criminal code to permit criminal prosecution where damage occurs
•Board authorized staff to continue the FEMA validation process
•Board confirmed authorization to pursue applications but did not commit matching funds
•Board debated signage location, enforcement authority and fine amount (up to $500 suggested)
•Commissioners requested original contract and justification for increase
•Commissioners to restrict purchases and require prior approval
•FEMA covers emergency/overtime work not routine hours
•FEMA validation threshold (~$80,000) discussed
•Highway department exceeded several budget lines including fuel and repairs
•Legal description present; signatures on quick-claim deed completed
•Motion to approve vacating road was brief; legal description provided
•Possible language changes (alley vs. road) noted
•Possible operational impacts include parked trucks and delayed repairs unless appropriation transfers occur
•RFP publishing approved
•Staff reported threshold near $80,000 in eligible damage is needed for presidential declaration consideration
•Two grants described; one $3,000 Roundup grant for prisoner transport
Decisions
•Amendment tabled until documentation and firm explanation provided
•Authorization granted
•Moratorium on purchases without prior commissioner approval enacted; further rules to be formalized
•Ordinance 2026-18 adopted; effective after publication and 30-day waiting period
•Ordinance 2026-19 adopted to enable recovery processes
•Ordinance 2026-20 adopted to vacate alley and convey ownership
•Ordinance 2026-21 adopted
•RFP approved for publishing; staff to pursue FEMA validation
Directions
•Jason to pursue grants and report back if funded
•Notify vendors and formalize approval process at next council meeting
•Publish RFP and continue FEMA/state validation work
•Staff to ensure a clean recorded document and amend language if necessary
•Staff to publish ordinance and coordinate signage placement on covered bridges
•Staff to pursue damage validation with state and FEMA
•Staff to record and file ordinance
•Staff to request contract documentation and invite BS Engineering to explain the amendment
Parke County council held budget hearings covering department budgets, a $190,000 transfer for the highway department, township budget hearings, and capital requests for emergency services and planning. Officials flagged rising fuel and repair costs, proposed ambulance purchases, and a large zoning/map modernization project.
Discussion Points
•Advertised levy rates presented
•Caseload increased from ~25 to ~40 per year
•Cemetery mowing and tree removal pose rising costs
•Continuing-education funding sunsetting
•Equipment leases and parts costs increasing budget pressure
Parke County officials received a bridge inspection briefing highlighting storm damage and priority repairs, discussed a proposed solar ordinance (motion to set a Dec. 17 hearing), and reviewed courthouse security and emergency-siren performance.
Discussion Points
•Added enforcement language read into record: fines between $50 and $1,500 per violation per day; each day counts as a separate violation; lien and court processes described.
•Announcement of an executive session to discuss personnel issues.
•AS Engineering presented 169 inspections and noted condition shifts due to federal coding changes.
•Cell-phone alerts are issued by the weather service/carriers and can sometimes reach neighboring counties.
•Chair said the language derives from Tippecanoe County boilerplate; questions were raised about administration and monitoring costs.
•Consultants flagged Nevins Bridge, Connolly's Ford, Portland Mills as priorities and warned of load-related deflection on some spans.
•Consultants offered to deliver the asset-management plan before Thanksgiving and assist with the application process.
•Consultants will deliver an asset-management plan and maintenance spreadsheet to the county.
•Federal NOFA application window Nov. 2–Dec. 4; Bridges Asset Management Plan required for application.
•Proposal to limit public courthouse access to one staffed entrance with optional screening and metal detector.
•Reference to administrative rule 19 as relevant to local safety plans.
•Two tornado warnings were issued recently; sirens activated in the warning polygons for Bloomingdale and Rosedale.
Decisions
•Motion made to place the ordinance on Dec. 17 agenda; no formal vote recorded in the transcript.
•No formal decision to apply recorded in the transcript.
•No formal policy decision recorded at this meeting.
•No formal vote recorded; board requested deliverables and discussion will continue at future meetings.
•No procedural change recorded; participants confirmed the alerting system functioned.
Directions
•Board members invited to attend a safety meeting and the scheduled executive session.
•Board to review the full draft and consider scheduling for final action at the Dec. 17 meeting.
•Consultants to provide asset-management plan before Thanksgiving.
•Consultants to provide the bridges asset-management plan and maintenance-item spreadsheet before Thanksgiving.
•County staff to consider programming repairs/replacements for priority bridges and to seek consultant help with federal funding applications.
•County staff to review the plan and decide whether to apply.
•Staff named Cindy Todd and others will continue to assist with draft adjustments and compliance monitoring clauses.
•Staff to refine access-control plan and present operational details at a later meeting.
Parke County commissioners met to hear department reports, approve additional appropriations and appointments, and to expand courthouse security staffing to five days a week after a recent incident; they also reviewed building maintenance needs, a bank-building redevelopment plan and several routine grants and resolutions.
Discussion Points
•Chair provided next-year distribution estimate to inform the public hearing.
•Chimney liner appears failing and could require full replacement by crane in a costly, complex job.
•Commissioners expressed general support and moved to approve.
•Concerns about courtroom coverage if officers are stationed at entry; tradeoffs between screening and access were raised.
•Financing largely in place with remainder from TIF; expected construction start before month-end and occupancy within a year.
•Five windows to be replaced; valves in HVAC system are roughly 25 years old and likely need mass replacement.
•GMP presented as approximately $3.379M including soft costs and developer fees.
•One of two chiller pumps intermittently fails; a diagnostic test costing $2,000–$3,000 recommended.
•Options considered: increase coverage from three to five days; single-point entry; metal detectors; a screening room.
•Recent courthouse security incident reviewed; officers and staff recounted training that mitigated harm.
•Request presented as a small, routine cost for materials and prizes for drug court picnic.
•Resolution required by statute to ask DLGF for permission to lower levy rate.
Decisions
•Grant approved for $700.
•Motion approved to appropriate funds for five-day courthouse security; start scheduling when funding confirmed.
•Proceed with diagnostics and planning; schedule major work as funds and timelines allow.
•Resolution adopted and will be sent to DLGF; public hearing scheduled.
•Screening group accepted GMP; developer to begin work when paperwork is complete.
Directions
•Appropriate funds to increase staffing to five days/week; sheriff to implement schedule when appropriation is in place.
•File resolution with DLGF and hold a public hearing in September.
•Obtain diagnostic quotes for chiller pump test and estimates for valve replacement and chimney work.
•Proceed with developer contract paperwork (VOT paperwork) and monitor start date.
•Process payment from opioid fund.
•Staff to convene Sept. 18 security meeting and return with cost estimates for screening hardware and facility changes.
Parke County commissioners meeting covered routine business including payroll and claims review, an elevator-repair proposal, a retirement-hours/vacation-pay discussion, a small equipment expense for a borrowed mobile command center, an LPA reimbursement voucher, road sign follow-up and an extended discussion of proposed solar and data-center rules and decommissioning/ surety requirements.
Discussion Points
•A borrowed mobile command center required battery replacement and minor maintenance.
•A claims list was presented with a large dollar figure announced.
•Commissioners considered applying similar decommissioning and setback rules to data centers.
•Concerns cited about lack of surety in other counties leading landowners to bear decommissioning costs.
•Constituent asked whether signs were placed at the Rosedale curve after vehicles ran off the road.
•Estimated cost $10,504 and suggested funding from Kim's budget.
•Motions were made to move items forward but vote documentation is not in the transcript.
•Motion to approve was made; vote not in transcript.
•Need for electrical wiring repair to pass inspection.
•Personnel manual and past practice govern payouts; manual is being revised.
•Public‑records requester wants sewer project documents; county to produce records it holds.
•Request tied to retired employee Jamie Harvey and unused hours.
•Specific technical standards were discussed: minimum panel height 36 in., maximum 16 ft., on‑the‑ground cabling between rows, caps on acreage.
•Staff cautioned transfer could be an "unfunded liability."
•Staff requested chair's signature on LPA voucher; staff stated an 80% reimbursement figure with a dollar value that is unclear in its meaning.
•Staff said locations had been marked; commissioners did not confirm physical installation.
•The estimated cost was $645 and was to be paid from public safety budget.
•Two payroll runs with separate amounts were read into the record.
Decisions
•Expense approved in meeting, vendor/payment to be processed.
Directions
•Charge the expense to the sheriff/public safety budget.
•Staff to consult personnel manual and risk management and report back.
•Staff to finalize draft county language and return to commission for vote at next meeting.
•Staff to prepare the records and process the voucher signature request.
•Staff to verify installation status with highway/maintenance crews.
Parke County board handled routine business including approval of minutes, payroll and claims; authorized a GIS limited-use agreement for a regional sewer project; approved an engineering estimate to assess repairs to the Nevis Bridge (pending council funding); accepted a $700 opioid-fund request for a drug-court picnic; and heard public comment on renaming 200 West to Union Road.
Discussion Points
•Board approved payroll, claims and several vendor invoices in routine finance action.
•Bridge damaged by overloaded vehicle; arches and portions of upper cord rotted.
•Consultant scope includes inspections, permitting and temporary support design.
•Resident requested restoring historic road name because of cemetery history (1844).
•Staff explained address-change impacts and the planning-commission petition process.
•Westwood Engineering requested limited-use GIS access to county parcel layer for grinder-pump exhibits.
Decisions
•Approved consultant contract/estimate of $23,600, subject to council funding decision.
•GIS limited-use agreement approved; payroll and claims approved; opioid-fund $700 grant approved; vendor invoices approved.
Directions
•Proceed with consultant inspections and permit preparation.
•Resident advised to canvass neighbors and file a petition to Planning Commission if community support exists.
•Staff to execute GIS agreement and provide parcel data to engineer; finance to process payments.
Parke County commissioners met to consider a $15,000 request to support a Terre Haute child advocacy center, approve multiple bridge repairs/closures, authorize a sheriff grant application for concrete barriers, and adopt redevelopment financing ordinances to fund a bank-building rehab.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners approved the sheriff\u0002s office applying for the grant and directed staff to coordinate logistics.
•Commissioners noted Parke County serves about 10 children who use the center and discussed transport alternatives if the county does not contribute.
•Redevelopment staff described mechanical, elevator and abatement work needed for the bank project.
•S3 expressed skepticism about Baker Tilly fiscal analysis and said borrowing will be capped at $3,000,000.
•S3 suggested requesting a revised quote to separate essential repairs from cosmetic work to reopen bridges sooner.
•S4 announced the closure of Connolly Ford bridge and noted Portland Mills remains closed.
•S4 provided an estimated bid of about $295,000 for another bridge repair.
•S4 reported Terre Haute committed $75,000 and sought $15,000 from surrounding counties to support Susie's Place.
•S6 said the grant would purchase concrete barriers and reuse them at multiple events in Bridgeton, Mansfield and Brockville.
Decisions
•Adopted ordinance 20-26-11 (TIF pledge) and amended/adopted ordinance 20-26-13 to authorize the appropriation for the project.
•Authorization to apply for the grant approved; procurement contingent on award.
•No contract awards recorded; decisions to request revised quotes and consider phased work were made.
•No formal funding decision at this meeting.
Directions
•Proceed with loan closing as scheduled; deposit proceeds into separate fund; abatement specialist to inspect site and report back.
•Request revised quotes omitting roughing and siding to assess phased repair options.
•Sheriff's office to complete application and coordinate storage with county staff if awarded.
•Staff to check county budget availability and report back before the next meeting.
Routine Parke County meeting: payroll and claims were acknowledged; commissioners discussed and moved to approve a Midway Road bridge quote and authorized up to $3,000 to repair 12 bell-tower windows; meeting adjourned after brief remarks about highway staff training.
Discussion Points
•Bridge structure quote in low $32,000s; total project ~ $45,000 including labor.
•Chair described damaged bell-tower windows and inability of a glass shop to repair frames.
•County highway crews will perform installation.
•Large claims total of $2,080,251.86 noted.
•Local woodworker offered to replace frames; chair proposed up to $3,000 to cover repairs for 12 windows.
•Members discussed structure type (prefab), span and material thickness.
•Payroll amount $197,689.97 announced and payable report $172,911.89 acknowledged.
Decisions
•Board acknowledged payroll and payables by voice; meeting adjourned upon motion.
•Members indicated assent to authorize up to $3,000; recorded as voice approval in transcript.
•Motion to approve vendor quote from Synchrony was made and received voice assent (no roll-call recorded).
Directions
•Chair/maintenance to engage woodworker and begin repairs one window at a time.
•County highway to order structure and schedule installation
The Parke County Commissioners met to hear a presentation from Chesco Energy on a proposed natural-gas peaking plant, received a TIF (tax increment financing) management report, adopted a flood damage prevention ordinance (Ordinance 26-09), and handled routine county business including event permits, grant approvals and multiple road and bridge maintenance items.
Discussion Points
•Chesco described site selection and need for peaking capacity; commissioners asked about substation distance and fiscal impacts.
•Commissioners noted a recent property sale enabled by floodplain mitigation options.
•Immediate stabilization needs for Midway Road bridge following inspection closure.
•Options for one‑time repair vs. long‑term responsibility for municipal roads (Ferndale Road) and material vs. labor split for chip seal.
•Staff explained the ordinance was adapted from a DNR model and two definitions were locally adjusted.
Decisions
•Approve patching machine purchase; pursue conditional one‑time chip seal pending town materials contribution; prepare bridge stabilization plan.
•No formal county action was taken; informational presentation only.
•Ordinance 26‑09 adopted by voice vote during the meeting.
Directions
•Chesco to provide additional project materials and contact local utilities for procurement interest.
•Highway staff to proceed with patching machine procurement and prepare surplus process.
•Staff to approach town of Mecca/Montezuma (local municipality) regarding material payment for an interim chip seal and to schedule stabilization for Midway bridge.
•Staff to file the adopted ordinance with DNR and perform notice/filing tasks before July 1.
Parke County commissioners met to hear department head reports, approve an ordinance creating a nonreverting fund for the bank-building project, confirm a developer selection and related financing options, approve four opioid-prevention grants, and discuss local infrastructure matters including the Portland Mills Bridge runaround and reassessment work by the county assessor.
Discussion Points
•Clarification that assessors will not enter homes without permission except in appeals
•Concerns about field staff presence in Mecca and public misunderstanding
•County to survey and claim right-of-way to hold landowner harmless while route remains passable
•Developer selection of Build VW and Tabor Owens announced
•Fee structure and example project used for modeling (4% management fee, $80,000 design fee)
•Financing options include local bonds, Indiana Bond Bank, and private financing
•Four grants proposed for prevention/treatment purposes funded from LCC/opioid settlement funds; amounts specified for three awards, one amount not recorded.
•Plan for permanent crossing (possible slab) to be developed later
•Portland Mills Bridge closure and historical runaround use by the Hale family
•Proposal to evaluate Pictometry to reduce door visits
•Redevelopment commission declared items surplus and proceeds should be used for the bank-building project
Decisions
•Grants approved by voice vote
•Loan to Bloomfields approved; surplus items declared for sale
•Ordinance 2026-08 adopted same-day
Directions
•Assessor to investigate Pictometry pricing and return with findings
•Begin design access with developer and prepare financing recommendations
Parke County commissioners met to approve routine claims and payroll, heard a request to apply for a state home-repair grant contingent on a third‑party match, accepted an on‑call engineering bid for bridge work, approved a hold‑harmless for a temporary runaround at Portland Mills Bridge, discussed solar/renewables policy and countywide outreach, and handled personnel and administrative items including offering a position to an applicant.
Discussion Points
•Commissioners recommended an overlap and training so the new hire can be oriented.
•Commissioners want a public hearing with presenters from both pro and con sides.
•Community Action would act as subrecipient to process applications.
•County moratorium on large renewable projects is expiring.
•County will survey and pursue permanent right‑of‑way while holding landowner harmless in the interim.
•Incumbent Jenny will retire late June/July; seven applicants applied and five were interviewed.
•Landowner closed informal runaround citing liability; commissioners want to allow temporary access for farm equipment.
•Only one recent bid was available for consideration.
•Program allows up to $25,000 per home and can accept in‑kind match contributions.
•Resident asked whether deeds from adjacent owners were required to vacate an alley.
•Staff corrected agenda description and reviewed bid rates; engineering rates lower than last year.
•Staff said a legal description prepared from deeds or a surveyor is required and petitioners must serve notice to adjacent owners under Indiana code.
Decisions
•Accept on‑call engineering recommendation.
•Approve application contingent on match.
•Approve hold‑harmless motion.
•County will not proceed without required legal description and statutory compliance.
•Extend offer to Leanne; candidate accepted.
•Hold public hearing to inform policy.
Directions
•Draft hold‑harmless agreement; reopen runaround once landowner has written assurance.
•Finalize contract with selected firm and proceed with scheduled bridge inspections.
•Offer position to Leanne and schedule training overlap.
•Prepare application for July cycle; make county participation contingent on confirmed third‑party match.
•Resident should obtain legal description from surveyor or recorder's deeds and then file petition with required notices.
•Schedule a countywide hearing after the fair; invite RENC and technical presenters.
Regular Parke County commissioners meeting: commissioners approved minutes and payroll, adopted two rezones as ordinances, authorized equipment purchases and a maintenance contract, granted courthouse use for faith events, and authorized lake invasive-plant removal and related work.
Discussion Points
•A dredging estimate cited in the meeting was about $37,900; chemical licensing and timing may delay treatment until late summer.
•Commission authorized superintendent to pursue lake plant removal/dredging; a dredging quote of ~$37,900 was discussed and additional appropriation will be required.
•County Ministerial Association granted use of courthouse lawn for two services.
•Highway purchases (brush cutter $3,932.50; trailer $3,300) were budgeted and approved.
•Lake is shallow and silted; plant regrowth is strong after drought.
•Options discussed: mechanical harvesting, chemical treatment and dredging.
•Payroll and payable totals presented ($198,506.50 payroll; $240,160.60 payables).
•Planning commission had unanimously approved two rezones; commissioners adopted ordinances 2026-06 and 2026-07.
•Tower Clock Company maintenance agreement for $900/year approved pending attorney review.
Decisions
•Brush cutter and trailer purchases approved.
•Minutes approved.
•Ordinances 2026-06 and 2026-07 adopted.
•Payroll/payables acknowledged.
•Superintendent authorized to proceed with lake invasive-plant removal and related work.
•Superintendent authorized to proceed with planning and return with funding/permit details.
•Tower Clock maintenance agreement approved contingent on attorney review.
•Use of courthouse lawn approved for specified dates.
Directions
•Clerk to file minutes and payroll/payables records.
•Clerk to notify Ministerial Association of approval and dates.
•Facilities to submit Tower Clock contract to county attorney for review.
•Facilities/Treasurer to record equipment purchases and adjust capital accounts.
•Planning to record adopted ordinances and update zoning maps.
•Superintendent to obtain quotes and permits and prepare appropriation request for commissioners' consideration.
•Superintendent to obtain quotes/permits and prepare appropriation request for lake work.
Parke County officials met to review department updates, consider additional appropriations, and adopt Resolution 2026-03 reallocating innkeeper's tax receipts to cover tourism costs and free general fund revenue to pay volunteer fire departments; the board also discussed park lily-pad removal and redevelopment of a vacant bank building.
Discussion Points
•Demolition of separate drive-through is a separately-bid scope with utilities already disconnected
•Developer tours completed; proposals due and review timeline
•Distribution percentages among towns using a three-year rolling average
•Extent of lily-pad infestation and causes (dry summers, stagnant water)
•Financing may be included in developer bids but the commission can pursue external financing
•How returned CBC revenue (25% per MOU) will be applied to tourism expenses
•Need for conservancy matching funds and long-term maintenance plan
•Status of a related state gate-fee bill and need for legislative follow-up
•Vendor recommendations for spraying then mechanical harvesting
Parke County commissioners met to handle routine business including payroll and claims, road and bridge maintenance plans, a request to lower speed limits near a sawmill, and adoption of a new policy to recognize off‑site festival destination locations — the board approved a policy for Covered Bridge Festival sites and designated Clay Plant Pottery as a destination.
Discussion Points
•Concerns about a $27,000 dive‑work bill associated with bridge inspection; commissioners questioned contract scope and whether the county should be billed separately.
•Resident/business petitioned for posted speed reduction at specific locations on 300 South; recommended 20 mph in front of the business, 30–35 mph to 1200 East; portion of roadway crosses into Putnam County.
•Technical scope for Bloomingdale slab described: reuse precast bridge decks, install 6 12‑inch by 20‑foot culverts, riprap, concrete work; contractor estimate $39,640. Questions about pipe sizing (proposal to upsize to 18 inches) and whether upsizing materially changes concrete work.
•Whether to adopt an ordinance or a county policy/resolution for designating festival destination sites; concerns about fairness, vendor counts, porta‑potty and parking requirements, and map printing deadlines.
Decisions
•Board adopted county policy criteria for festival destination sites; board approved Clay Plant Pottery as a destination under that policy.
•Conditional approval for Bloomingdale slab subject to council funding; no immediate decision on dive‑inspection billing — staff to follow up.
•No ordinance adopted at this meeting; board requested further documentation before action.
Directions
•Petitioner to provide a certified map and exact locations for the 20 mph and 30/35 mph segments; staff to draft ordinance language once certified locations are provided.
•Proceed with Bloomingdale work only if council confirms funding; staff to contact contractor for contract and billing clarifications regarding the dive work and to resolve whether the $27,000 charge is the county’s responsibility.
•Staff to draft formal written resolution codifying adopted criteria and to notify applicants of deadlines for inclusion on the festival map.
Parke County Board of Commissioners Minutes - 03-02-26
At its March 2, 2026 meeting, the Parke County Board of Commissioners approved multiple payroll and claims releases, tabled a proposed speed-limit ordinance for CR 300 S pending redrafting, approved an estimated $39,640 contingent bridge repair request subject to County Council funding, and adopted a new policy (Resolution 2026-02) for designating off‑site Covered Bridge Festival locations, including recognizing Clay Plant as an official site.
Discussion Points
•Collom Excavating estimate to repair Leatherwood Creek bridge ($39,640) and need for Parke County Council funding to cover cost.
•Need for formal criteria to designate off‑site Covered Bridge Festival locations; Clay Plant requested inclusion.
•Proposed Ordinance 2026‑05 to reduce speed to 20 MPH on CR 300 S; concern over limited resident support and mixed speed limit needs.
Decisions
•Adopt Resolution 2026‑02 setting criteria for off‑site festival locations and acknowledge Clay Plant as an official festival site.
•Approve Leatherwood Creek bridge repair estimate contingent on Parke County Council funding.
•Approve payroll and accounts‑payable releases and the five out‑of‑cycle checks as listed.
•Table Ordinance 2026‑05 pending revision.
Directions
•Attorney Nick Sauter to draft corrected Ordinance 2026‑05 reflecting mixed 20/30 MPH limits and bring it to next meeting.
•Commissioners' Office to codify Resolution 2026‑02 and notify festival map/advertising (CVC) of Clay Plant inclusion.
•Highway Superintendent Matt Romalia to schedule the Leatherwood Creek repair with Collom Excavating if Council funding is approved.
