Jeff Baxter

The agenda for the legislative session includes the election of officers and board reorganization. Key items for consideration involve approving claims for the period of December 16, 2025, to January 6, 2026, and a legal settlement regarding M Perkins V Allen County Jail et al. The board will also consider several agreements, including those with ForeSight Consulting LLC for section corner perpetuation services, Burke consulting for MS4 on-call support, and Christopher B. Burke Engineering LLC for floodplain management consulting. Furthermore, a supplemental agreement increasing funding for the Engineering Resources Inc. contract for Huntertown Stormwater Relief and an inter-agency agreement with Allen County Community Corrections for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Atlas Virtual Academy programs using opioid settlement funds are on the agenda. The session also includes consideration of citizen and commissioner appointments to Allen County boards and commissions, and a motion to waive the second reading on necessary matters.

The meeting agenda included consideration of Resolution 2026-01-07-01 to approve a Statement of Benefits (SB-1) for BF Goodrich Tire Manufacturing, along with financial discussions including total appropriations requested in the General Fund and other funds, and a financial report from the Auditor. Several departments requested appropriations: the Sheriff's Department regarding the Jail Commissary Fund uses, the Prosecutor's Office for adjustments within the High-Tech Crimes Grant Fund, the Building Department for new/reclassified salaries, the IT Department for temporary training salaries, the Department of Environmental Management for a Hazardous Waste Technician position, and the Community Corrections for various supplies and equipment. The Auditor's department presented salary ordinance considerations retroactively to December 13, 2025, and significant appropriations and reductions within the Health Fund 285 and appropriations within the Public Health Service Fund 287 concerning various director and specialist positions. The council also addressed the approval to waive the second reading on any matter approved during this session.

The Allen County Board of Commissioners reviewed and modified the fee schedule for licenses, registrations, and permits issued by the Building Department. The new fee schedule includes fees for structural, subsidiary, and ancillary contractors, as well as MEPs (Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing) contractors. It also covers permit fees for commercial and residential construction, electrical work, HVAC systems, plumbing, signs, and demolition. Additionally, the ordinance addresses fees for manufactured homes in mobile home parks, temporary use permits, phasing of projects, and miscellaneous fees such as certificates of occupancy and re-inspection fees.

The session included discussions and decisions on various topics, including the adoption of the 2045 transportation plan, a contract renewal with Kofile for book preservation, and a supplemental contract with DLZ for a Marion Twp corner project. The board also considered the renewal of the Purdue Extension Office contractual service agreement and bid awards for the Dunkelberg sidewalk project and the Smith Rd & Airport Expressway Signal. Additionally, there was consideration of an agreement with Michael Baker Int. Inc. for the Scott Rd Grade Separation study, a bid award recommendation for the Maplecrest Signal project, and the consideration of the Campbell Rd over Hamm Ditch small structure replacement. The board also discussed an emergency repair bid for Bridge 38 on Hursh Rd over Cedar Creek, an InDOT report for Bluffton Rd over Harber Drain, an InDOT reimbursement agreement with First Group Engineering, and traffic-related measures on Leesburg Rd, Butler Rd, Haeman Rd, Garman Road, and Amber Rd.

The Plan Commission reviewed a rezoning petition for Magnolia Run Sec I - Lots 28-33, & Block E, submitted by Magnolia Run LLC. The request is to rezone the area from A1/Agricultural to R1/Single Family Residential to include additional land in the same zoning district of the plat. The applicant is seeking the rezoning to complete the required rezoning for Magnolia Run Sec I, following the acquisition of additional land for a storm sewer line to improve drainage. No public comments were made during the public hearing.