- Good morning. All to order this meeting of the Monroe County Board of Commissioners. It is Thursday, July 3rd. I will note for the record that all three commissioners are here and present in the net you Hill room. And we'll begin with our public statement. We the Monroe County Board of Commissioners renew our commitment to welcome and protect the rights of all people, regardless of age, race, color, creed,
- disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, marital status, economic status, and national origin. And we affirm the right of every person to live peacefully and without fear. And we will fight and resist at every step, discrimination and harmful policies, whatever their source. We believe in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. We also stand in support of our county public school systems, both RBB
- and MCCSC. And with that, we will move on to our department updates. We have Ms. Kelly. Yes, good morning, commissioners. As of June 27, COVID wastewater concentrations are trending upwards again, though viral levels in the wastewater remains low.
- We are monitoring a new COVID-19 variant called NV-181. This is now the dominant strain across the United States. There's no evidence that this strain causes more severe illness. Common symptoms include sore throat, cough, runny nose, headache, and fatigue. The health department does still have free COVID tests available. Individuals can walk in Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to receive free tests.
- And our public health clinic has vaccines available. You can call 812-353-3244 for an appointment. Great. Thank you so much. Comments or questions? Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. Commissioner Madeira? No. Thank you very much. Thank you. Is there any other department that wishes to offer an update?
- Good morning, Ms. Penna. Good morning. Erica Penna, Monroe County stormwater program manager. I just wanted to give an update about our intent to file a sponsor letter with the USDA and NRCS for the emergency watershed protection program. It's a grant funded opportunity to help with some of the cleanup efforts after the May 16th tornado in the Clear Creek watershed.
- We were notified about the program by a property owner right along that watershed, right along Clear Creek. She had looked into it in the past and there was no emergency declaration, so the event didn't qualify, but we've had the emergency declaration for the tornado, so now we're getting all our ducks in a row to get that letter in.
- The grant funding would help cover costs of removing trees within the creek to help prevent flooding. The letter would be due by July 16th, 60 days after the event occurred. So we will have a draft for you all next week to look at and comment on and then we'll get it submitted by that 16th deadline.
- From there, the NRCS will perform a damage survey report within 60 days, and then we'll find out if we will be able to get grant funding or not. So I will keep you updated. Great, thank you so much. Any questions about the program? See if comments or questions, Commissioner Madera.
- No, I think it's very important because we just don't know when we'll have another weather event. And it's sort of a waiting game because if there is another flood, if there is another storm, all of this stuff could wash downstream and cause further damage. Mr. Jones? Yeah, I'm just really pleased that you discovered this possibility. And I'd like to thank the citizen who brought it to your attention. Sounds like something we need.
- I think this is a good first step. I think obviously as we're all on the stormwater board that clearly we need a new plan. And this is certainly an area that needs some remediation, not just repair, but actually moving forward some sort of we need to be proactive.
- If we can be so I know we're going to work on that and and I'm looking forward to that but Appreciate you bringing this to us. So we're all right with working on this letter supporting it. Yes. Yes Okay, great. Thank you so much. Thank you. Appreciate it Any other departments have an update for us you raise your hand on teams or come to the podium I
- We will move on to public comment. Public comment is time reserved for items that are not on the agenda. Each speaker has up to three minutes to speak. We ask that you provide your name and your county of residence. It may come to the podium or raise your hand on teams to be recognized.
- Seeing none, we'll move on to our next agenda item, please. Move approval of the minutes for June 26th, 2025. I second. We have a motion and we have a second. Any comments, corrections or edits? No. I already sent my notes into Ms. Freeman.
- All those in favor of approving the minutes for June 26, 2025, signify by saying aye. Aye. Motion carries 3-0. Next item, please. Approval of the claim stacket accounts payable July 3rd, 2025. I second. We have a motion and we have a second. We hear about this from the auditor's office, please.
- Good morning. The accounts payable claims docket for July 3rd, 2025 totals $2,568,644.95. This includes all emergency claims and adjustments. All right. Thank you so much. Comments or questions? Commissioner Jones? I don't. Commissioner Madeira? No. Okay. Any public comment on this item? You raise your hand on teams or come to the podium.
- Seeing none all those in favor of proving the claim stock accounts payable June July 3rd 2025 signify by saying aye. I motion carries 3, 0, we don't have any reports today so we will move on to new business, please. Move approval of the presentation of county for number one 44 statement of salaries and wages proposed for 2026. I second.
- We have a motion and we have a second. Who's presenting this? Oh, thank you. You're welcome. County form 144 is required to be filed by each department head elected official border commission whose officers or employees are paid by county funds. This form must be filed with the county auditor no later than July 2nd each year.
- In turn, the county auditor must present the county form 144 to the board of commissioners at the July meeting of the board. The board of the county commissioners shall review the statements and make the recommendation for the consideration to the county council prior to August 20th. Thank you so much. Any comments or questions? Commissioner Madeira? None. Commissioner Jones? No, I don't. This is
- pro forma. It's something we do annually. It's not a surprise. And we will take a look at it, take it under advisement. All right. Great. Let's move on to the next item, please. Move approval of an amendment to Mike Bolton professional services agreement.
- fund name, local public health services, fund number 1161 in an amount not to exceed $50,000. I second. We have a motion and we have a second, Ms. Kelly.
- This was presented to the board of commissioners and was approved at last week's meeting. The original agreement was drafted before these most recent legislative changes have occurred. So it occurred to me after the meeting that we really should include this language just around the expenditure of funds that are now required for Health First Indiana. So that language has been included in this updated agreement.
- Thank you so much. This was mystifying to me because, um, and it's nothing that the health department or the health board has done, but it's mystifying to me how this relates to a house. Uh, but, uh, comments or questions commissioner Jones.
- not really. Commissioner Madera? No, no comments. Yeah, you know, I'll support this because we obviously need the funding to happen, but this is some of the crazy town stuff that we get from the legislature and it makes zero sense. But you know what? Hey, I'm willing to play ball if we have to. So let's see if there's any public comment on this item. You can raise your hand on teams or come to the podium.
- All those in favor of approving the amendment to Mike Bolton Professional Services Agreement signify by saying aye. Motion carries 3-0. That was a terribly long meeting. Welcome to holiday week. I just want to offer a few announcements.
- that we are county offices are closed tomorrow, July 4th for the holiday. And happy 249th birthday. We will be in the parade. Look for the big red dump truck. We'll be there. So hope to see you there. The Rural Housing Repair Program is being managed by the Bloomingham Foundation. So please contact your Township Trustee and they will help you make an application
- We continue to, as always, accept applications for boards and commissions. Go to co.monroe.in.us for more information about vacancies, pending vacancies, fill out an application, contact our office if you have any questions. The next blood drive that we are sponsoring with Ivy Tech and the Red Cross will be at Ivy Tech.
- which is at 200 Daniels Way. Thursday, July 10th from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., and that's in room C, 130A and B. We do continue to hold office hours each week, each month, six times per month. Just go to the calendar on our homepage to find
- a day and time that works for you. In addition, while you're at our homepage, we recommend that you sign up for the Resident Alert Program so that you can be informed of any severe weather like, hey, we're going to get 10 inches of rain this weekend. We're not. That was last weekend.
- Anyway, the other announcement is regarding the county fair. Please go and enjoy. Today is conservation day at Monroe County Fair. Head over to the Draper Earls Auditorium until 3 p.m. And you can see lots of exhibits and learn a great deal about different aspects of conservation.
- Any other announcements from anyone? I might want to watch out for deer and walk to the Monroe County Fair. But also, I think I've been to the fair twice this week. It's amazing. The weather is fantastic. And happy July 4th. Be safe out there. Yeah, for sure. Happy July 4th. Yep. And come out to the parade tomorrow. Yeah. It'd be good to see everybody out there. That would be really good.
- All right. Anything else? We do not have a work session today, so that is our holiday week. So our next meeting is July 10th, 10 a.m., right here in the NatU Hill Room. Be well, and we will see you then. We're adjourned. Thanks.