FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Board of County Commissioners & Drainage Board Agenda
AUGUST 26, 2025
9:30 A.M.
AGENDA
| 1. | Call to Order |
| 2. | Attendance |
| 3. | Pledge of Allegiance |
| 4. | Action Items |
A. Engineer
1. Open Bids: VC25-08-01 “Concrete Street Repairs”
2. United Consulting Bridge Inspection Report
3. County Right-of-Way Encroachment Agreement with NCI Evansville DG LLC
4. Change Order #1: VC24-12-03 “North Woods, North Elm, West Franklin Street Drainage Improvements”
5. Change Order #1: VC24-08-04 “Concrete Street Repairs”
6. Time Extension Request: VC24-12-01 “Nisbet Road Small Structure Replacement”
7. Time Extension Request: VC25-03-01 “Milling and Resurfacing of County Roads”
B. Assessor
1. Master Services Agreement with Pictometry International Corp d/b/a EagleView for Ortho Imagery
C. Computer Services
1. Alpha Laser and Imaging Individual Lease Agreement: Burdette Park 1202qq
2. Master Services Agreement and Service Order: Astound Business Solutions Service Order: Astound Business Solutions Attachment:
3. Crowe LLP Engagement Letter for IT Operations Feasibility Study
D. Grant Agreement Between Solid Waste Management District and Therapeutic Work Release Program
E. Public Facilities Management Agreement with VenuWorks of Evansville, LLC
F. Maintenance Agreement with Building Authority for Old National Events Plaza
G. Opioids Settlement
1. Request to Accept Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan
2. Governmental Entity and Shareholder Direct Settlement Agreement (Purdue Direct Settlement)
H. First Reading of Ordinance No. CO.08-25-017: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8.16 (Nuisances) of County Code
I. Final Reading of Ordinance No. CO.08-25-013: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 10.60 of County Code Concerning Off-Road Vehicles
| 5. | Department Head Reports |
A. Burdette Park
1. 2025 Aquatic Center Year End Report
| 6. | New Business |
| 7. | Old Business |
| 8. | Read Bids: VC25-08-01 “Concrete Street Repairs” |
| 9. | Consent Items |
A. Approval of August 12, 2025, Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
B. Employment Changes Employment Changes Attachment:
C. Auditor
1. Claims Voucher Reports
i. August 11, 2025 – August 15, 2025
ii. August 18, 2025 – August 22, 2025
2. 2025 Covered Bridge Certification 2025 Covered Bridge Certification Attachment:
D. Engineer
1. Report and Claims Report and Claims Attachment:
E. Sheriff
1. Road Closure Request – Evansville Wartime Museum
F. Treasurer
1. July 2025 Monthly Report July 2025 Monthly Report Attachment:
2. July 2025 Innkeeper’s Tax Report July 2025 Innkeeper’s Tax Report Attachment:
G. County-Owned Property Sold at 2025 Abutting Property Sale
| 10. | Public Comment |
| 11. | Adjournment |
| 12. | Members of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners |
i. Justin Elpers, President – District 2
a. Term: January 1, 2023 – December 31, 2026
ii. Amy Canterbury, Vice President – District 3
a. Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
iii. Mike Goebel, Member – District 1
a. Term: January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2028
From waiting list to action: why Indiana must tackle the housing crisis
MARY MICHNA, The Indiana Capital Chronicle
In just a few days, I’ll move into an affordable independent-living neighborhood for seniors in Valparaiso. I was on a waiting list for three years.
Waiting is a roller coaster. At first, you dream, plan, and purge belongings with a purpose. But as the months tick by, the excitement fades. You stop packing. The goal feels out of reach. You start wondering if maybe it’s easier to stay put and try to manage a large property — even if it’s more than you can handle.
There is enough to deal with as one ages, but for many, independence is everything. I was fortunate to be physically able to live in my home, but many seniors struggle. A neighbor I know sleeps on his first floor couch because he can no longer climb stairs. And while you’d think downsizing would save money, today it often means higher costs, fewer options, and more stress.
As focused as I was on my own dilemma, I knew I was not alone. As a new member of the Social Justice Committee at Christ Lutheran Church, we worked with eight area congregations under the direction of We Make Indiana, an organization that supports people of faith and conscience to create change. We did our own research, met with local officials, and brainstormed ways of tackling the crisis. We then began to plan a large public meeting to talk about solutions to the housing crisis and invite our local leaders to lead. Our focus was “Housing for All” – seniors, first-time home owners, renters who need to be close to their jobs, and the growing homeless population in Porter County.
On a Saturday in May, the Porter County Housing Assembly drew a crowd of close to 200 area residents. We shared personal stories, reviewed data, and examined decades of policies that shaped today’s shortage. One story that stuck with me came from a single mother and professional who, despite her career and working two, three or four jobs, bounced between friends’ couches because rent in Valparaiso was out of reach.
When we asked members of the Valparaiso City Council and the mayor’s staff — they committed to work with us to reform local zoning laws and other barriers that get in the way of building more housing. Three months later the mayor is hiring a firm to completely redo the city’s zoning laws, something that has been talked about for decades. This is a critical first step, and we’re excited to help shape the new zoning ordinance to allow for more multi-family units, legalize accessory dwelling units in more places, and make the process to build easier, faster, and less expensive.
We have put the ball in play in Valparaiso. But Valparaiso can’t solve this crisis alone. Housing advocates across the state have called for a commission for the state legislature to address the housing crisis. Gov. Mike Braun has neither dismissed nor approved the proposal. What’s clear is that state and local policymakers need to act together, and now. Montana and Texas — both conservative states — have taken bold action. Why not Indiana?
This fall, teams from each congregation in our coalition are holding meetings to educate neighbors and encourage them to join the effort to modernize our zoning laws. It’s exciting to work toward a change that will benefit other Hoosiers who, like me, have struggled to find a place to live.
We are in this together. Change is possible. We know what’s possible when communities organize. Now we need our state leaders to prioritize building more housing so “all Hoosiers have a place to call home.”
Governor Braun Announces Sale of Former GM Stamping Plant Property to Elanco
Transaction advances creation of a global innovation district with State of Indiana as a continuing partner
INDIANAPOLIS –Indiana Governor Mike Braun today announced the sale of the state-owned land at the former GM Stamping Plant site to Elanco Animal Health for $27 million. The agreement enables Elanco and its partners, including Purdue University, to accelerate the creation of an innovation district in downtown Indianapolis.
With this sale, the land transitions into private ownership, while the State continues as an active partner supporting the site’s future development through the Indiana Office of Commerce.
Governor Mike Braun:
“This agreement is a responsible step forward. It places this property in the hands of a company with a clear vision of a world-class innovation district, while ensuring the State of Indiana remains a full partner in what comes next. This is about more than redeveloping land; it’s about creating jobs, attracting talent, and driving long-term growth for Indiana.”
Anchored by Elanco’s global headquarters, the district will intentionally connect research institutes, pilot-scale facilities, diagnostic labs, and animal clinical care with a vibrant community of offices, housing, retail and green space.
The result will be a globally significant destination for innovation, designed to attract companies, talent and investment while creating long-term opportunities for Indiana.
Jeff Simmons, CEO of Elanco Animal Health:
“This is about partnership and progress. The State’s willingness to work with us—not as a landowner but as a partner—makes this possible. Securing this property now gives us the certainty we need to integrate it into our headquarters campus and move forward with speed. That means jobs, investment, and an accelerated path to creating an innovation district dedicated One Health. In the near-term, we’re excited to join the Valley Neighborhood with our move to our new global headquarters in early October. We see it as the first of many big moments for the District. Together with Purdue and the State of Indiana, we’re building something that will drive innovation and improve lives for decades to come.”
Mung Chiang, President, Purdue University:
“Purdue is excited to be a partner in the Elanco headquarters campus with our expertise in animal, plant and human health, and is committed to help create One Health jobs and workforce in this Innovation District for the State of Indiana. This strategic step will also further accelerate Purdue’s growth in the state’s capital city as part of our main campus across the Hard Tech Corridor between West Lafayette and Indianapolis.”
The State of Indiana will remain at the table as the project advances, ensuring the site reaches its full potential as a world-class home for One Health.
USI freshmen to experience New Harmony during Engaged Learning Day
The University of Southern Indiana will transport all freshmen enrolled in the USI 101 course to New Harmony, Indiana, for an exciting day of interactive activities, engaged learning and a variety of games and spirit activities. This will be the fourth year for the Engaged Learning Day, happening Tuesday, September 9. The educational excursion is generously supported by the USI Foundation and the Provost’s Office.
USI’s collaboration with New Harmony, Indiana, provides a special opportunity for USI students. This visit will provide a unique chance to explore how this historic community can enrich their academic journeys. Students will discover valuable resources available to them and learn how to incorporate these assets into their USI experience.
“Learning is about doing and experiencing what the world has to offer,” says Kristalyn Shefveland, Assistant Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “Through the University’s partnership with New Harmony, students gain insight into both the past and present while expanding their knowledge—it’s a unique place for them to explore. Engaged Learning Day is about more than just a field trip—it’s about helping students see themselves as part of a wider world of ideas and communities. By connecting with New Harmony’s history of innovation and collaboration, students begin their USI journey with a deeper sense of curiosity, purpose and belonging.”
Founded in 1814 as an experiment in communal living and situated within the homelands of the Miami and Shawnee indigenous peoples, the town of New Harmony is now home to Historic New Harmony, a USI Outreach and Engagement Program. With an entrepreneurial legacy and a history of social innovation and intellectual advances in science as well as public education, Historic New Harmony has been USI’s “living laboratory” since 1985.
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Lt. Governor Beckwith, OCRA announce two communities to participate in Rural Empowerment and Development program
INDIANAPOLIS (Aug. 25, 2025) – The Office of Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs today announced two communities were selected to participate in the Rural Empowerment and Development program.
The RED program is a comprehensive capacity-building and planning program created by OCRA and the Indiana Communities Institute at Ball State University.
“Through the RED program, Madison and Warrick counties will provide Hoosiers with even more opportunities to thrive,” Lt. Governor Micah Beckwith said. “I’m excited to watch these communities bring their ideas to life and see the positive difference it makes for families and local businesses.”
The initiative is designed to help communities build capacity by expanding on previous community development efforts and incorporating innovative new approaches. The program provides hands-on, relevant and productive experiences tailored for communities looking to elevate their economic development vision through local collaboration.
The participating communities include Madison and Warrick counties.
“Congratulations to these two counties for being selected to participate in this valuable program,” OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn said, “I look forward to seeing what Madison and Warrick counties accomplish over the next year and beyond.”
Throughout the program, each community will identify and develop between five and 15 actionable projects. Expert guidance and coaching will be provided to each project team to assist with successful implementation.
Each participating local team will undergo a four- to six-month program tailored to their specific needs, with staggering start dates starting in January 2026.
So far, participating counties from the first cohort in 2025 built local leadership skills, engaged residents in fresh way and gathered ideas to shape their future, including:
- Cass County – Created “living rooms” at fairs and festivals to spark conversations and capture community stories
- Fulton County – Used QR codes, school newsletters and storefronts to invite county-wide feedback
- Huntington County – Collected on-the-spot survey responses at local events using tablets and in-person interviews
- Orange County – Met residents where they gather to talk about strengths and future opportunities, using surveys and other data capturing devices
Unlock Your Family’s History at Genealogy Quest – Register Now!
Are you ready to uncover your ancestral roots? Join us for Genealogy Quest at Willard Public Library from September 11-13, 2024, for an immersive journey into family research!
Event Details:
Date: September 11-13, 2024
Time: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
Location: Willard Public Library
This year’s conference is a must-attend for both seasoned genealogists and beginners eager to dive into the fascinating world of ancestry. The theme this year is Tracing Your Story
with Today’s Tools: DNA, AI, and the Search for Family
What to Expect:
Expert Sessions: Learn from renowned speakers like Shannon Combs-Bennet and Kerry Bennet who will cover a range of topics, from DNA to incorporating AI in your research to using the Library of Congress online.
Local Insights: Local experts Vickie Fields and Stan Schmitt will share their specialized knowledge on genealogical research specific to our region. Other skilled local researchers will provide research assistance Saturday afternoon.
Delicious Dining: Enjoy a variety of meals, snacks, and refreshments from local food trucks, available right outside the event entrance. Saturday, we will have a special treat as we have Casey Sellers providing us with a delicious meal prepared onsite!
Ready to Join Us? Secure your spot today by Registering Here. Whether you’re interested in exploring DNA, using AI, learning more about the Library of Congress, or just getting started, there’s a session for everyone.
If you love our Genealogy conference, please consider making a donation to support Willard Public Library’s programs and services. Visit our donation page to contribute.
Attorney General Todd Rokita highlights, praises litigation team for saving Hoosier taxpayers more than $145 million since 2021
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Since 2021, Attorney General Todd Rokita’s Litigation Division has saved more than $145 million in estimated taxpayer dollars through successful advocacy on behalf of the state. According to Attorney General Rokita, the division has managed 13,782 cases, successfully closing 13,480 of them, while achieving favorable outcomes in 40 out of 43 civil defense jury trials—a remarkable 93% success rate—and recovering over $74.5 million for the state. |
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Touch a Truck Event Tuesday
Tuesday, Aug. 26
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
North parking lot off Colonial
(look for the Semi trailer)
3501 N. First Avenue
Background: Ivy Tech Community College Evansville and DriveCo, Ivy Tech’s CDL partner, will offer an opportunity for individuals to come learn more about the field of over the road truck driving for this month’s Spotlight for Tuesdays@theTech. The Touch a Truck event will be offered on Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the north parking lot on the Ivy Tech main campus in Evansville, 3501 N. First Avenue. It is free and open to the public. Lunch will be available to purchase from Crazy Daisy’s in the Commons at Ivy Tech. The event will be family friendly and is targeted for those who are seeking new job opportunities or changing careers, veterans, high school graduates and their families, as well as anyone in the community interested in the trucking industry. Individuals will be able to get into a semi cab, talk with instructors, find out about career opportunities, and learn about the many different funding opportunities to help pay some or all of the cost of tuition for Ivy Tech’s CDL Program. On-the-spot applications for the program will also be available.