The meeting began with the normal approvals of claims and payroll claims, followed by prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Tim Ortman, Highway Department representative, stated that traffic related to the battery storage facility will be slowing down as the large loads they have been receiving begin to decrease. The Highway Department plans to complete an overlay on 400 N. On 250, they will be repairing and reducing the widened shoulders that were utilized for the large deliveries. They have one more large load coming through next week, after which they will begin repairing the roads and returning everything to the way it was before alterations were made to accommodate the traffic.
Tim stated that they have a couple of retirements and a resignation coming up in the future. He received approval to hire two employees so they can be trained and ready to go when two of those positions become vacant. This will allow for adequate training and help avoid a gap in staffing.
The commissioners approved the Highway Department’s purchase of two tri-axle dump trucks in 2026 and another two in 2027. The trucks will be purchased from International here in Decatur County. The cost is $254,501.25 per truck, which does not include the snow blade or salt spreader. Ortman stated that they expect to receive the trucks in the first quarter of 2026. Once they are received, they will be outfitted with the plow and salt spreader mechanisms.
Sheriff Bill Meyerrose received approval to enter into a $4,028 contract with Axon, the company that provides the department’s body and dash cameras. Meyerrose stated that in 2026, they have received 69 requests, with eight of those requests being for video footage from the cameras. He explained that when footage is made available to a requester, they must redact several pieces of information, including bystanders’ faces, license plates, driver’s licenses, and radio traffic that is not related to the specific event. A one-hour video can take up to eight hours to complete the redaction process. The contract will provide computer software that will help reduce that time by half while ensuring that the necessary information is properly redacted and the process is completed efficiently.
Mike Snyder, EMA, received approval to apply for the Emergency Management Performance Grant. This is an annual grant that provides reimbursement for salaries in the Emergency Management Agency office. The total amount available is $35,000.
Fairgrounds winter storage will occur on November 7, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Livestock Building. The cost will remain the same as last year. The commissioners thanked Danny Peters, Bill Metz, and the Power of the Past for their dedication to handling this each year.
The commissioners discussed 23 Lake McCoy lots that continue to circulate through the tax sale process. The commissioners voted to sign a Deed Sale Addendum and take possession of the lots. All of the commissioners stated that they do not intend for county to become property owners, but at the same time, they want to look into the concerns at Lake McCoy, correct the issues, and then be able to sell the lots. It was noted that each time the lots come up for sale, they cost the county money to advertise and attempt to sell.
The commissioners voted to continue with Dunn & Associates as the county’s health insurance provider. The insurance committee reviewed several different options and, after discussion, recommended continuing with Dunn & Associates, the current provider. The primary reason the commissioners were asked to continue their agreement with the company was because of the customer service Dunn & Associates provides to its insureds. The county will see a 1% increase in cost for 2027. The committee stated that next year they plan to begin the process earlier to allow more time to seek bids and explore different options to ensure the county’s insurance remains competitively priced.
The commissioners discussed the possibility of a travel restriction on 421 North from Love’s Truck Stop to Honda for out-of-county traffic. The restriction would be aimed primarily at semi-trucks. Commissioner Jeremy Pasel stated that he was trying to find a way to preserve the road. The commissioners will discuss the matter further and bring it back for consideration at another meeting.
The commissioners approved Doll Spray Foam to install spray foam insulation at the courthouse to assist with reducing or eliminating condensation issues from the air conditioning system. The ceiling in the Clerk’s Office is showing water damage, and the insulation is expected to help eliminate the issue. The total cost for the work is $26,442.40, which was the lowest bid received out of three bids.
