Eastern Greene Administration Building

Key discussions and actions during the meeting included the approval of claims and a payroll request for a future date. The Board approved amendments to an agreement with Butler, Fairman and Seufert, Inc. (BFS) for bridge inspection requirements and approved the BFS General Engineering Services Agreement. The Commissioners approved the bid package for the 2026 Paving Bid Package, authorizing advertisement for bids due by March 17, 2026, and authorized the execution of a lease-purchase agreement for a Caterpillar Motor Grader. Amendments to the Service Firearm Ordinance were approved to include the Prosecutor's office investigator. The Board approved a rate additive letter from Combined Public Communications for Community Corrections, electing no rate increase. Approval was granted for the Sheriff to purchase two vehicles using Commissary Funds, with one vehicle designated for use by Greene County Emergency Management. The first half of Economic Development's annual stipend was approved. A letter of support was approved for the City of Linton's water infrastructure grant application, and the AIA Contract for exterior courthouse repairs was approved. The Commissioners approved advertising a public hearing for March 3, 2026, regarding the vacation of a portion of East Thacker Road. A request from Indiana Rural Voices for a peaceful rally on the courthouse lawn on March 28th was approved. Finally, the Board reviewed a request from the Sheriff to approve an agreement with SR Mechanical to replace non-functional Jail HVAC Controllers, which was tabled for discussion at the next meeting on March 3, 2026.

Key discussions included the reorganization of the board, affirming the current President and Vice President. The council approved the hiring of Ryan Van Horn as a part-time Investigator for the Prosecutor's office, with specific hourly rates and phased employment terms. Additional appropriations were approved for the Visitor and Tourism Board for advertising related to signage completion, and for Veterans matters covering a Resource Fair, a Grant, and telephone expenses. The council received an annual update from the Hamilton Center regarding their 2025 services. Financial actions included approving several transfers and encumbrances related to EMS supplies, heart monitors, community corrections, and health department expenditures; one IT transfer was approved while another IT encumbrance was tabled. Additional appropriations were approved for the Health Department for facility updates and for the Sheriff's vehicle fund. The council approved a revised position description for the EMS Payroll Clerk and continued county salary payments for an EMT undergoing training through an educational opportunity. They also approved a part-time pay raise for courthouse security and an appropriation for Jail Repairs. Finally, appointments were made to the Worthington-Jefferson Library Board and the Bloomfield Eastern Public Library Board, and a council representative was reappointed to the Redevelopment Commission.

Key discussions included an educational opportunity from Pelham Training for paramedic tuition and EMT training, with an agreement approved for the county to continue salary payments during training. The Commissioners approved a quote from Wagler Construction to build private office space within the Veterans' office, funded by Cumulative Capital Development. Three new cell phone lines were approved to be added to the county contract for Veterans' services. An annual engagement letter with LWG CPA's & Advisors for continuing disclosure filings was approved. The Board authorized the disposal of two expired Kevlar vests. Board appointments were made, reappointing members to the Redevelopment Commission Board and one member to the Emergency Medical Service Board. The Economic Development Director introduced a new assistant and provided an update on the groundbreaking for Prometheus Energetics LLC. The proposed amended by-laws for the Cemetery Commission were approved. Commendations were given to the Highway Department and Bloomfield Street Department for snowstorm response. Claims and payroll were approved.

The meeting covered several key actions, including the final approval of the 2026 Compensation Agreement Between George Dallaire, Sheriff, and Greene County, Indiana, and an additional appropriation of $1,800.00 for Sheriff's Repair Equipment. A public hearing was conducted regarding the Worthington Solar project, which involves designating an Economic Revitalization Area and granting tax abatements; the hearing addressed citizen concerns about land use, water contamination, and electricity rates. Following the hearing, the Council voted on a resolution related to the Worthington Solar project, ultimately approving Resolution 2025-02 for the creation of the Economic Revitalization Area and tax abatement, despite a proposed EDA Fund increase to the White River Valley School Corporation failing. Other business included approving fund transfers for the Prosecutor's office, changing a Recorder's office position from part-time to full-time, approving several Auditor transfers, granting an additional $6,000.00 appropriation for a new dryer at the Jail, tabling the Hospital Local Income Tax discussion, making several council board appointments and reappointments (with some tabled), approving the 2026 Salary Ordinance, tabling the Employee Handbook/PTO policy discussion to a Special Meeting, and approving a Soil & Water Work-Based Learning Conservation Intern job description.

Key discussions and actions during the session included the approval of submitted claims and payroll. The board appointed Jathan Wright to the Economic Development Commission Board upon nomination from the City of Linton. Decisions were made regarding tree removal quotes for the former Hostetter property, accepting the lowest bid without stump removal. Maintenance and service agreements were approved, specifically for Microvote services (locking the price for four years), the backflow valve replacement at the Greene County Jail, and an agreement with Flooring America for carpet removal and vinyl flooring installation at the Annex and Health Department workspace. Significant IT upgrades were approved, including the replacement of the Barracuda backup server and an email protection upgrade, totaling $26,132.82, funded by the 2026 IT budget. Additionally, a five-year agreement for a new courthouse server, costing $76,408.53, was authorized, also from the 2026 IT budget. Finally, Otto Prow and Bill Bedwell were reappointed to the PTABOA Board. Public comments included thanks from a local machinery company representative.