The Switzerland County Commissioners met for their regular meeting on Monday night, February 4th.
The issue of the county adopting a new comprehensive plan with regard to planning and zoning has been an ongoing issue for the past several years, and at Monday’s meeting plans were presented that moves the county closer to completing this project.
Herschel Brichto and Mark Reed gave a brief presentation regarding the Comprehensive Plan for the Area Planning Commission. This plan, if approved, will bring the old 1996 Code to compliance with state law. The Commissioners did not commit any money at this time, but asked Herschel Brichto and Mark Reed to come back with a more defined plan regarding costs.
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In other business discussed by the commissioners:
– County Highway Superintendent Chris Clerkin presented the plans for the Dry Fork Bridge replacement and those were approved by the Commissioners. The bids from local contractors are required to be submitted to the Auditor by Monday, February 18th, at 5 p.m.
Marty Hon reported that the bridge kit will be ready by then.
– Bart Brown, from the Indiana Workforce Board gave a brief presentation regarding services that the Work One and Ec015 provide. Commissioner Steve Lyons will serve on the Workforce Board.
– Greg Fillenwarth of the Nurse Managed Clinic informed the commissioners that the clinic had a recertification by the state. He ask the Commissioners to pay for exit signs and an emergency call button in the restrooms that the state requires.
– Bioterrorism coordinator Jim Wingate asked the Commissioners to pay the monthly bills for a “smart phone and a jet pack” that he will be using in his position.
This request was approved with some deliberation from Commissioner John Haskell regarding the use of County-owned phones used for personal use.
– County Treasurer Vickie James offered to donate her sick days to the County Sick Bank. Elected officials do not need sick days as opposed to hourly employees. County Auditor Gail Rayles will check into the amount of days that will be donated and report back to the Commissioners.
– The Commissioners signed the titles to two older sheriff’s cars that will be traded in for new ones.
– Switzerland County Economic Development Corporation President Jon Bond will coordinate a meeting to take place between the Commissioners and the contractor responsible for the HVAC system at the new Switzerland County Education and Technology Building. There are ongoing problems with the system that need to be resolved before the warranty is up.
– Commissioner John Haskell will contact Chris Clerkin to get an update on road conditions if there is inclement weather that would require closing the courthouse.
- Rosemary Bovard