Commissioners grapple with planning backlog, release opioid funds

The Owen County Board of Commissioners meeting began Oct. 6 with a volley of questions regarding the new building LLC being established for the new Owen County Jail project. Questions about the scope of the building permit were raised by a resident, while county attorney Tony Overholt assured attendees that the LLC’s incorporation was standard for an undertaking of its size.

The commissioners also discussed the sale of county property, namely several derelict pieces of equipment formerly used by the street department.

Plan Commission Clash

Next, Bill Pursell, representing the Owen County Plan Commission stepped forward to chastise the commissioners for what he claimed was the repeated disregard of plan commission proposals.

“We sit there and it’s like, if nothing’s going to happen, there’s no reason for us to spend an hour at a meeting discussing proposed changes,” Pursell said. “I don’t know where the breakdown is.”

A back and forth discussion ensued. Pursell expressed frustration over the lack of commissioner action on plan commission ordinance proposals, while commissioner Sam Hobbs pointed out that following the recent resignation of building administrator Heather Huntington, the commissioners have had trouble keeping up with email requests.

Pursell pointed out – a claim backed by Auditor Sheila Reeves -- that without official action from commissioners, decisions from Planning and Zoning cannot be enforced, allowing builders and developers to operate without county approval. Pursell then implied that the board of commissioners was intentionally letting Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) items fall through the cracks.

“What sense would it make for the board of commissioners just to say, ‘we’re doing away with planning and zoning, just go out there and do what you want,’” Hobbs questioned.

“It looks like you guys are just letting it die a natural death, and we need first aid for it,” Pursell replied.

Hobbs agreed, but noted that a job posting put out by the county for a new building administrator has still received no applicants. Pursell noted that during the previous meeting, there had been discussion about hiring Huntington back on a part-time basis until a permanent replacement could be found, and he inquired about the status of that process.

Hobbs then pulled out his cell phone to call Huntington during the meeting, remarking, “No time like the present,” and, “I wonder if she’s watching on YouTube?” Huntington did not answer, and Hobbs left a voicemail. Later in the meeting, Huntington called back and, according to Hobbs, offered to help in some capacity going forward.

Overholt also clarified that the county surveyor should serve as an advisor to the county plan commission only, rather than as a voting board member.

After a lengthy discussion, Democrat Colin Rotella was appointed by the commissioners to the plan commission board, filling a seat left vacant by Donna McIntyre.

Printer and Copier Woes

Communications and service have been lacking from county printer vendor Toshiba. Performance issues regarding broken printer/copiers at the sheriff’s office, veteran services office, and the courthouse were highlighted during the meeting.

“I would suggest Larry [the Toshiba representative] come to the next meeting if they want to discuss future business,” Hobbs said.

“There’s other people out there that do that kind of work. If that’s what we’ve got to do, that’s what we’ll do,” commissioner Norm Warner added.

Opioid Funds Released

Funds totalling $10,960.87 from the Unappropriated Fund - earmarked by previous commissioners for Owen County EMS laptops - were approved for release by the board.

Funds totalling $16,323.99 earmarked for the coroner’s office were also released, with the caveat that none of the funds be spent on dog food for coroner Shelby Hershberger’s personally owned therapy dog until the previous administration’s fund approvals can be reviewed.

Bridge Bids Tabled

The decision to accept a bid for two separate bridge repairs was tabled until highway department deputy superintendent Chad Walker can be present to review the quote at the next meeting.

In Other Business

Rob White has officially stepped down from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission. Sandra Calvert was appointed in his place.

To meet new ADA requirements at county facilities, $13,000 was appropriated from the Local Income Tax (LIT) Fund.

A $100,000 appropriation from the Future Building Fund was made to cover expenses for building repairs and maintenance for the county-owned armory building.

A part-time janitor contract was approved for 15 hours per week at $18 per hour.

Commissioner meeting recordings are available online at https://www.youtube.com/@owencountyingov

Agendas and minutes are available at https://www.owencounty.in.gov/departments/commissioners/