A representative of the Decatur County Detention Center provided council members with a copy of the second-quarter Commissary Report.
Cleo Duncan presented information about Project We Care. Duncan, along with a small group of like-minded individuals, is seeking the public’s help in assembling care packages for military personnel stationed around the world.
The group is requesting donations of items such as puzzle books, deodorant, local newspapers, envelopes, stationery, and other paper products that service members may not have access to while deployed.
Project We Care’s mission includes obtaining the names and addresses of service members who would appreciate receiving care packages, collecting donated items, assembling the packages, and mailing them to those serving overseas.
Melissa Foist of Greensburg Bread of Life told the council that the organization served 29,506 meals in 2025 while keeping food costs at approximately $2,000. She attributed the low food costs to food rescue partnerships with local retailers and farmers. Since beginning its food rescue program, the organization has rescued more than 3 million pounds of food, allowing it to be used to prepare meals instead of ending up in a landfill. Foist asked the council to contribute $15,000 in Riverboat funding to help cover utility costs.
Michelle Guidance of Lifetime Resources said the organization provided 7,700 transportation trips last year for 182 individuals. She noted that Lifetime Resources currently operates three routes in Decatur County and is excited to receive two new small transit vans that will serve the county. Guidance requested $10,000, which would be used as part of the required local match for a grant that helps provide transportation services throughout the county.
Matt Hoeing of Court Services received approval to apply for a $2,000 grant through the Decatur County Community Foundation.
Mike Snyder of the Decatur County Emergency Management Agency received approval to apply for a $1,000 grant through Duke Energy for heat relief supplies.
Erica Gunn, Tourism Director, appeared before the council to discuss a vacancy on the Tourism Board following a recent resignation. The vacant position has approximately six months remaining in its term, and Gunn asked the council to appoint a replacement. Council members said they would consider potential candidates and make an appointment at their next meeting.
Jeremy Pasel, representing the Decatur County Commissioners, returned to the council following last month’s discussion about increasing the Highway Superintendent’s salary. The position is currently vacant, and the commissioners wanted an approved salary range before beginning interviews. Pasel said there are 12 applicants for the position, some with engineering degrees and others without. Following discussion, the council authorized the commissioners to offer a salary of up to $70,917 to a qualified candidate. Council members also said that if an exceptionally qualified candidate requested a higher salary, or if the commissioners believed a higher offer was warranted, they could return to the council for further discussion.
Council President Danny Peters said the state has informed the county that it is working to reimburse counties for gas tax revenue affected by the fuel tax holidays approved by Governor Braun. Although the tax holidays provide savings for motorists, the state plans to reimburse counties for the revenue they would have otherwise received. Those funds are allocated to the Highway Department budget.
The council appointed Kenny Hooten as its representative to the Municipal Unit Strategic Task Force (MUST). According to the State of Indiana, the Municipal Unit Strategic Task Force is a county-level body created under recent Local Income Tax (LIT) legislation to bring counties, municipalities, and other local units together to negotiate future LIT structures and recommend funding allocations.
The council also appointed Rick Nobbe to the Fair Committee, replacing Council President Danny Peters. Peters noted that he has been involved with the Decatur County Fair for the past 16 years.
