The meeting began with the approval of prior meeting minutes, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
Tim Ortman of the Highway Department stated that deliveries of batteries for the battery storage project have been completed. He said residents should expect one more large delivery at the beginning of October. Following that delivery, the equipment currently placed on the bridges will be removed.
Tim also stated that the Highway Department power washed and painted over graffiti on the covered bridge.
Tim provided an update on striping and painting efforts throughout the county, stating that the work is expected to be completed by the end of October.
He also stated that the county will be receiving 60 tons of road salt.
Doug Westerfeld, Area Plan Director, provided an update on the Comprehensive Plan. He stated that edits have been made to the plan and that it will go before the Area Plan Commission at its October 7, 2026, meeting for a vote to send the plan to the commissioners. If the APC votes favorably to send the plan to the commissioners, the commissioners will hold a public presentation and vote on the plan at their first meeting in November.
Matthew Speer, Animal Control Director, provided an update on cattle seized from a local resident. He stated that the county initially seized 59 cattle, and that number has since increased to 63. Speer said he has received a verbal request from the facility housing the animals for an increase in care costs. The pretrial hearing is scheduled for October 13, with the trial scheduled for November 12. Speer stated that he continues to work with the county attorney to prepare for the case and determine whether an increase in the housing costs for the cattle is necessary.
Ron Higgins, a representative of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, spoke about the work being done by local representative Ken. Higgins stated that Ken has assisted 126 new clients during his time in the position. He added that Ken attends all meetings and is a strong advocate for the position.
The commissioners appointed Larry Martin to serve on the Sandcreek Township Advisory Board.
Gabe Nobbe introduced a moratorium that prevents data centers with a capacity of 250 megawatts or more from applying to operate in the county. The moratorium is Ordinance 2026-15. Nobbe stated that the commissioners and their attorney have been working on the ordinance for some time. The moratorium took effect upon signing and will remain in place until December 31 at 5:00 p.m. It may be extended if the Comprehensive Plan has not been completed by that time.
Nobbe noted that he spoke with three of the five Area Plan Commission members, who expressed that they cannot determine what the county wants for the area without the Comprehensive Plan. Nobbe explained that rural Decatur County lacks the water availability and output needed to adequately support a data center, which is why data centers are typically annexed into cities. The commissioners stated that once this type of project is annexed into a city, the county no longer has control over the project.
The commissioners approved a request from Right to Life to use the courthouse lawn from October 3 through October 10 for its Right to Life Cross Display.
