Erica Burkemper

The meeting addressed several key operational and financial matters. Manager's reports detailed recent airport activities, including good fuel sales, full rental of Hangar B, clearing of snowstorm debris, and rekeying of hangars. The board reviewed financial claims and engineering reports, which included correspondence with E & B Paving regarding the new taxi lane construction, where the board agreed to a revised spring start date. Discussions also covered the ongoing process for the purchase of Hangar J, requiring FAA discussions and a future grant application. Old business involved reviewing a quote for a new $870,000 fuel farm setup, prompting the request for local airport comparisons. New business included investigating revenue generation by selling existing hangars to interested tenants to fund the fuel farm upgrade. Furthermore, the board determined that a tenant on the hangar wait list who permanently moved out of the 30-mile radius would be removed from priority status. Finally, the board accepted renovation quotes for the FBO, including accepting a quote from Wagler and Sons for the renovation work and a quote from Bill Dobson Ford for window graphic installation.

The meeting included a review of January Manager's Reports, noting that December fuel sales resulted in year-end revenue of $302,489.11. Hangar B was made fully available following the relocation of an aircraft, and the farmland lease agreement with Boyd Grain was executed. Engineering reported on a letter being prepared for E & B Paving regarding delays in taxi lane and access road completion. In old business, the purchase agreement date was moved to the fall, and the related documents will be submitted to the FAA. New business involved the election of 2026 BOAC officers, reelecting David Gray as President, Matt Merold as Vice President, and Chris Kimball as Secretary. Further discussion addressed clarification requests regarding insurance requirements in the hangar rental agreement, for which the county attorney will be consulted. In continuing old business, the board approved purchasing a 300-gallon double-walled diesel fuel tank from Premier Ag, and arrangements will be made for the replacement of the furnace in Hangar H.

The meeting included discussions on the REAL Recovery Inc. Opioid Settlement Submission requesting $89,820.00 for the Recovery Café and Family and Peer Support; the board tabled this request pending submission of an operating budget, donor information, and details on achieved results. A critical requirement review addressed Indiana House Bill HEA 1687-2025 concerning sex offender transfers between counties, and plans were discussed for local ordinances regarding sober living facilities registration and inspection. The board subsequently approved the RISE Real Recovery Opioid Settlement Submission for $54,000.00. Partner updates noted the hiring of a part-time Administrative Assistant, pending hiring of a deputy prosecutor, and plans to invite representation from the local Family Health Center to future meetings.

Key discussions included the resignation of the Part-Time Administrative Assistant and the hiring of a replacement. The status of the 2025 grant was reviewed, showing a remaining balance transferred to cover the final Equipment Rental (GPS) invoice, resulting in the grant fund being completely utilized for the first time. The need to amend the 2026 budget was noted, as submitted documents need to align with budgets approved by the Board, DOC, and the Council, with required adjustments to be placed on the January Council agenda. Staff training updates included two Case Managers becoming certified to administer the Static/Stable Sex Offender Assessment to better gauge risk for this population, and the Director is seeking a new assessment program for violent offenders. Scheduled 2026 meeting dates were established as hybrid meetings. Other business noted activity at Community Corrections with client movements and the completion of deck rebuilding by the maintenance department.

The meeting commenced with an opening prayer and included an acknowledgment that a commissioner with a knee appointment might arrive late or miss the session. The minutes from the October 28th meeting were approved. A significant portion of the meeting involved discussing the mechanics and structure of work sessions for providing advice to the incoming board, focusing on communication, planning, and breaking down internal silos. The discussion then moved to the awarding of annual bids for various materials, including stone, concrete masonry products, sand and gravel, HD pipe, metal pipe, lubricating grease, calcium chloride, and asphaltic bituminous material. The commissioners accepted multiple bidders for several categories based on supply, demand, location, and availability variables. Furthermore, the board discussed reapplying for the Bridge 95 federal grant for a bridge replacement project on County Road 975 in Raglesville, shifting the scope from rehabilitation to replacement, with an estimated total cost of $4.1 million requiring an $824,000 local match. Finally, the meeting addressed two related safety grant applications for installing guardrails on the South and North causeways over St. Mary's Road, outlining the necessary local funding commitments over several fiscal years.