Highway Department nears building move-in
Highway Supervisor Shawn Bonar told the county commissioners Tuesday the department is working toward moving into its new building. Construction remains on track to be turned over to the county in February, and stakeholders planned to review any concerns this week.
Later, the commissioners approved an interlocal agreement with Adams County for their current and Wells’ former engineer, Nate Rumschlag, to return once weekly to carry over ongoing grant applications. The agreement outlines a weekly $1,500 fee for services.
Wells County Council permitted the funding last week. County Attorney Ted Storer advised Adams County has also approved the agreement, which will take effect immediately.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners:
• Approved amendments to ordinances regarding zoning, subdivision control and flood damage control, all recommended by the Area Plan Commission.
• Appointed county building manager Bobbie Studebaker as the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator, taking over the role from former engineer Nate Rumschlag.
• Approved a new control for a portable alcohol unit vendor for Community Corrections.
Wells given favorable insurance, investment updates
While many factors of the economy appear uncertain, Treasurer Kathy Peeper reported a healthy interest earned on the county’s bank accounts during the annual Board of Finance meeting Tuesday.
Wells County earned interest of $671,242.79 in 2023, $517,405.76 more than in 2022, Peeper reported. Bank and CD interest earned $810,822.28. “We had a pretty great year last year,” Peeper summarized.
Dan Lipp and Danica Dunwiddie, now with WalkerHughes Insurance, also gave kudos to the county’s department leadership during their annual workman’s compensation renewal meeting.
Claims have lowered, and so have the county’s rates. “I’m absolutely thrilled with this … What that means is that you’ve got a lot of department heads that are probably focusing on safety (and) doing things the right way,” Lipp noted. The commissioners approved a renewal with IPEP of Kokomo.
With updates to the jail and a new highway building, Commissioner Jeff Stringer noted it might be time to re-evaluate building insurance quotes. However, Lipp advised it’s been increasingly difficult to garner interest for counties from insurance companies. He added, “We’ve had over 25 occurrences this last year in the United States where they were over a billion dollars in claims — over 25 separate occurrences, and a billion is just where they’re starting.”
Recycling Center makes garage door upgrade
The Solid Waste District board, which guides the Recycling Center, approved the purchase of a $1,700 garage door opener and safety equipment during their monthly meeting Tuesday.
The recycling center had an insurance claim at the end of last year due to the garage door partially shutting on a vehicle. Superintendent Kevin Poling had advised the opener button was a slight distance from the entrance, and a vehicle had pulled up in the gap of time after an employee had cleared the area.
No decision was reached, however, about permits for companies recycling cardboard. The recycling center pays $35 per ton of cardboard, and Auditor Lisa McCormick said 175 tons of cardboard were recorded in 2023.
The board also tentatively scheduled their shred event for May 4 and hazardous material collection for June 15.
In its annual reorganization, the board voted 4-0 to retain its current leadership, Blake Gerber as president and Scott Mentzer as vice president. Gerber, Mentzer, Vicki Andrews and Stephanie Tucker voted in favor; Commissioner Mike Vanover and Mayor John Whicker were absent. The board also agreed to reinvest $100,000 in a 6-month CD with Flagstar in Bluffton.
Wells will not join joint drainage board
The Wells County Drainage Board waived its right Tuesday for a joint board discussion with Allen County regarding the Casteel Tile Drain in Jefferson Township. Surveyor Jarrod Hahn said the area was selected for an ARPA-funded project but advised it was not pertinent to sit on the board given that less than 10 percent is in Wells.
The board also granted an easement on the Werling Prong Tile Train in Jefferson Township. Hahn said the property had been granted an easement for a hog barn, but the new property owner had torn it down and was in the permit process for a new building.
Additionally, Hahn advised there were several items of legislation he was keeping an eye on and would update the board at their Feb. 6 meeting.
— Compiled by Holly Gaskill
