The Decatur County Commissioners held their first meeting of the year on 1/9/25. The meeting began with the pledge, prayer led by Greg Redd, and the approval of the December 16th meeting minutes. The commissioners also approved claims and payroll claims.
Todd Houk, Highway Department Superintendent provided an update on what they have been working on. Todd stated that last week they worked on bridge maintenance, surveying and laying out future plans for bridge work. He said that this week has been devoted to pre-treating and plowing roads after the recent storm. Todd said that he is beginning to start on the CCMG grant, he added that they are planning to chip and seal 116.3 miles of roadway. The commissioners voted to enter into a contract with Peine Engineering for HVAC maintenance at the Highway Department. The commissioners and several in attendance thanked Todd for his and his teams hard work this past week. Jeremy Pasel, Commissioner stated that by Tuesday of this week the Highway Department had used 200 tons of salt & sand and had logged 776-man hours preparing and working the winter storm.
Tim Kramer, Building Inspector provided an update on what he has been working on from December 16- January 3. He stated that he completed 44 inspections with 35 of those inspections passing. He also said that they have issued 4 new build permits. Tim added that he is working on getting the online system implemented and operational to allow for individuals to electronically apply for permits and to be able to request inspections and have the ability to see the results of an inspection online. He stated that he investigated 2 anonymous complaints on a property but did not find any violations. Tim requested that when someone is making a complaint anonymously, they need to sign the report but can still ask not to have their name released publicly.
Sheriff Bill Meyerrose addressed the Decatur County Commissioners regarding a $5 million Lilly Endowment grant awarded through the Decatur County Community Foundation. Sheriff Meyerrose explained that the funding would support a collaborative effort among all county and city first responders to ensure proper responses to mental health crises. The grant will sustain the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program for 5-6 years. He commended Mike Eggleston for his exceptional work in leading the program, noting that 35%-45% of calls are related to mental health issues. Sheriff Meyerrose emphasized the importance of the program in directing individuals to appropriate resources, such as inpatient or outpatient services, referrals, or the Detention Center, and reducing the stigma surrounding mental health.
He highlighted that the department has already begun implementing these crisis intervention techniques, leading to a significant drop in use-of-force incidents—from 128 reports in 2022 to just 23 in 2023. The goal is to have the CIT program operational by mid-to-late February.
The commissioners also discussed housing for the new team, with Commissioner Pasel suggesting that the space currently occupied by Solid Waste Management at the Annex could be repurposed once the department moves to the former City Street Department building. Sheriff Meyerrose shared that the grant funds are held at the Decatur County Community Foundation and disbursed as needed. According to Tami Wenning, the first $1 million has been received, with the remaining $4 million expected in June 2025.
Additionally, Sheriff Meyerrose received approval to purchase three Dodge Durangos, fully equipped with lights, sirens, and other necessary features, at $56,076.50 each. These vehicles, funded by the grant, would be titled to the commissioners. He noted that the vehicles would not have any department logos, and drivers would not be uniformed officers.
Finally, Sheriff Meyerrose provided the commissioners with a copy of the second half of the 2024 Commissary Report.
The Decatur County Commissioners approved a two-year Alternative Energy Moratorium Ordinance 2025-1, allowing time to thoroughly review and update the Decatur County Comprehensive Plan, originally approved in 2017. This moratorium provides an opportunity for community input to ensure the updated plan reflects the needs and priorities of residents.
Attorney Chad Smith explained that the current Comprehensive Plan and Solar Ordinance predate more recent legislation outlining content for such documents and input from State Legislators. A Purdue study of the Decatur County Comprehensive Plan identified gaps in compliance, noting deficiencies in four categories within the solar section and six categories within the wind section of the ordinance.
The commissioners emphasized that the moratorium could end before the two-year period if the updated Comprehensive Plan and Solar Ordinance are completed ahead of schedule. Commissioner Pasel clarified that the moratorium does not affect the current application under review by the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) which is the Cobia Solar LLC project. Applications submitted before the moratorium’s adoption will be processed under the existing Comprehensive Plan and Solar Ordinance applicable at the time of filing.
The moratorium is set to expire no later than January 9, 2027, at 4:00 PM.
Sean Durbin, Health Department Executive Director received approval to purchase a new mini van to be used for the health department’s nursing division to go out to the community and host immunization clinics and host other screenings. The funds for the vehicle are coming from a grant. Sean also updated the commissioners and provided them with a letter of resignation from the commissioners appointed board member on the Decatur County Health Department Board of Directors. Sean stated that by the next meeting he would have someone to submit for appointment to the board.
The meeting was adjourned.
