Final OK given for new Posey UDO

By Lois Mittino Gray

After finally passing the new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) unanimously after second reading, the Posey County Commissioners worked on several contract acceptances and smaller items of business at their April 21 meeting, before ending it with Department Reports.

The Commissioners held two public hearings on the UDO and it has been discussed at all County town meetings. The Commissioners sent the UDO back to the Area Plan Commission with 15 changes, mostly concerning subdivision requirements, at their April 7 meeting. The APC sent it back to the Commissioners afterwards for approval and they passed the new ordinance 3-0 after many months of discussion.

Speaking in favor of another new ordinance, Michael Lutterbach, 7401 Barter Road., petitioned to have the speed limit lowered to 30 miles per hour on Barter Road. Lutterbach stated that the road has several blind curves and is narrow. “There is no way you can drive the road at 40 mph safely,” he declared. Commissioner President Bill Collins made a motion to lower the speed limit to 30 mp. The motion passed.

Posey County Building Commissioner Ed Battieger updated the Commissioners on the ongoing nuisance violation at 3921 Davis Road. Battieger reported that the conditions at that address have much improved. “There is still some work to be done, so I am going to table this for thirty more days until the second meeting in May,” Collins said and that action was approved.

In contract decisions, Collins stated the county has been presented with a crop share lease agreement for one year from Goebel, for ten acres on Indian Mound Road. Goebel is proposing to pay Posey County a flat fee of $1750 for rent this year. Commissioner Eric Koester made a motion to accept the crop share lease agreement and it carried with a vote of 3-0.

Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham presented the Commissioners with an updated Victus Commissary Contract. Latham stated the money from the contract will be used to offset the maintenance for the new vehicles. It was approved. A custodial contract was presented for the cleaning of the Health Department Building. It was also unanimously approved.

Jaime Bradford, Posey County Dispatch Director, presented a three-year contract from KAJ for maintaining the New Harmony radio tower. “It is going up to $100 per month and we pay in six-month increments,” she explained. Commissioner Koester made a motion to table the lease due to the age of the tower, and concern over the way the contract stated KAJ will not be responsible for the negligence on their part. The item was tabled.

Area Plan Director Jerry Cotner brought a recommendation from the APC to rezone 11 acres. Keith Rheinlander is asking for a petition to rezone property from an agricultural zoning district to a residential multiple family zoning district (R3). They approved the change unanimously.

Attorney Harrison presented an opioid settlement proposal for consideration. He said the county is a participant in an opioid settlement being pursued by the Attorney General’s Office. He recommends the county apply for this settlement and it was approved 3-0 to do so. Harrison also reported the Serenity Estates final assessment roll will need to be recorded, along with the installment payment agreements. County Auditor Maegen Greenwell will sign a certificate certifying the form of the agreement.

In Department Reports, Latham gave the following inmate housing update: Department of Corrections, 13; Vanderburgh County, 23; and Posey County, 96 , for a total of 132 incarcerations.

Carrie Thompson, Posey County Emergency Management Agency, gave an update on the Code Red Contract. She reported she did get approval from the County Council to terminate the contract with Code Red. She applied for the CenterPoint Community Foundation Grant for emergency generators. Commissioner Newman made the motion for Joe Harrison to authorize the letter to Code Red about the decision and it will be sent.

Jeff Toelle, Posey County Highway Department, informed the Commissioners the Community Crossing Grant Paving is going very well. He announced that after this week only one road will be left to pave.

Maegen Greenwell, Posey County Auditor, stated she received a request from the County Prosecutor to purchase a used vehicle to use for drug task force equipment and it was approved.