Marshall County

The board reviewed multiple zoning variance and special use requests. These included applications for a home-based beauty shop, a home-based towing business, a home workshop for manufacturing hay elevators, an outdoor boat and pontoon show, and several variances for reduced front yard setbacks regarding residential construction and garage placement.

The meeting included reports on financial matters, specifically noting the January 31st General Fund cash balance of $10,475,000 and Rainy Day Fund balance of $3,991,941. The council reviewed budget forecasts indicating the General Fund might run a deficit for several months until the June spring settlement. The Highway Department reported not being awarded the Community Crossings grant. The council addressed several ordinances, including approving additional appropriations from the General Fund/Recorder and Public Safety Grant accounts. Transfers of appropriations were approved across several funds, including General Fund/Recorder, Community Corrections Project Income, MVH, and MVH Restricted funds. Ordinance 2026-5(2) was approved to establish two new county funds: 2200 Alternative Dispute Resolution and 9019 IOCS Family Court Program. Other agenda items included accepting the Sheriff's Reports of Receipts and Distribution of the Commissary Fund for October 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025, and approving the Sheriff's 2026 Commissary Budget totaling $325,000. A progress update was provided by ONE Marshall County representatives regarding strategic plans. Public input was received regarding the Marshall County Regional Sewer District.

Key discussions scheduled for the meeting include reports from the Highway Department and Museum. Topics also cover child abuse prevention awareness initiatives involving CASA and Wrapped in Love, and the Marshall County Council on Aging's 4th Quarter Report. Other items include a Grant Letter of Support for Community Corrections for Calendar Year 2027, an update on the Yellow River Kayak Cleanup by Marshall County Solid Waste, and a Public Hearing regarding a Vacation of Adjacent Easement Request from the Plan Commission. Business also addresses the Boys and Girls Club Annual Report, a Mail Masters Agreement for the Treasurer, ASG Agreements for Building and Grounds concerning the Court House and County Building fire alarm communicator, the Attorney Report, County Auditor items such as minutes review and claims processing, and Commissioner Items including a Court Room Technology CPT Proposal, an IT Services Agreement, a Resolution honoring Colin Barkley, and a Surveyor Vehicle Estimate.

Key discussions and actions included the approval of numerous road bore requests for Comcast Cable and road surface cut/bore/aerial requests for Northern Indiana Public Service Company. Requests from Brightspeed of Indiana, LLC, for fiber optic installation were also approved. Updates were provided on several bridge projects, including Bridge 231 (Center Street, Bremen) with an expected letting date in August 2027, and Bridge 88 (12th Road) with an expected letting date in January 2029. Marshall County was awarded $8,088,000 from INDOT for the Bridge 2540, Michigan Road Rehabilitation project, with proposals due March 27th. The Board approved extended office hours for the 2026 tax collection. Approval was granted for the Low Associates Software Solutions for the Auditor and Treasurer offices, utilizing the Cum Cap Development Fund. The IT Department received ratification for the Indiana Office of Technology SEED Grant and approval for the Abonmarche Professional Services Agreement related to GIS data uniformity. The Sheriff's Department received approval to apply for the DNR Marine Patrol Grant. The Commissioners agreed to consider a proposed Noise Ordinance. They approved sending three zoning ordinance amendment proposals (26-PC-2, 26-PC-3, 26-PC-4) to the Plan Commission. Support was shown for the court room technology upgrades, authorizing up to $415,000 including a four-year service agreement, and approving a resolution to participate in the TIPS purchasing system. An ordinance amending the Marshall County Public Safety Grant Program was passed on second and third readings. The Board also approved pursuing CPR training and ordering placards for egress routes.

The Board of Commissioners addressed several departmental matters. The Highway Department received approval for utility pole replacement requested by Northern Indiana Public Service Company and approved right-of-way cut and aerial placement permits for CNS Networks for fiber optic installation. Updates were provided on numerous bridge projects, and an agreement with USI Consultants, Inc. for the Linden Road Reconstruction project was ratified. The Board ratified an LPA Award Recommendation Letter for the HSIP Countywide Striping Initiative and approved processing a prepayment claim for a Total Patcher. Signatures on Title VI and ADA compliance documents were ratified, and the related Marshall County Title VI Nondiscrimination Implementation Plan & Policy and ADA Transition Plan were approved. The Commission also discussed employee medical benefits. During the Plan Commission segment, Ordinance 2026-7 regulating the siting of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) was reviewed, a public hearing was held, and a subsequent motion was passed to increase a specific setback requirement in the ordinance. Representatives from ONE Marshall County presented a progress update on strategic plans. The Sheriff's Department received ratification for the Comprehensive Highway Injury Reduction Program (CHIRP) Traffic Safety Grant Agreement. The Health Department's Partnership Agreement with the Indiana Diaper Bank was approved. In Commissioner Items, appointments were made to the County Housing Committee and the BZA Board. The Board recommended that the Council begin reviewing local income tax options due to an expiring jail bond, approved travel and a prepayment for a Weights & Measures Seraphin Trailer, and authorized the preparation of a resolution to ban industrial scale solar and data centers. Claims and payroll for February were approved.