Phase One bids for Western Bypass to be opened March 3

By Lois Mittino Gray

Posey County Emergency Management Agency Director Carrie Thompson informed the Commissioners at their February 3, meeting that she has been in contact with the State regarding the recent snowstorm and the county’s disaster declaration. She will provide the State, as requested, with the estimated cost of this storm to the County. “The State as a whole will have to meet a disaster threshold before any counties will be considered for reimbursement,” she explained. She will have an update at their next meeting.

Paul Micheletti, Posey County Emergency Management Director, addressed the Commissioners telling them about an issue that came up at the most recent EMS Advisory Board meeting. The board discussed what has been happening in Vanderburgh County. “The City of Evansville is taking over ambulance services from AMR. Initially, with this change, I thought that McCutchanville and Perry Township would be serviced by AMR. However, I’ve now heard that McCutchanville may have an agreement with the city to continue services, leaving Perry Township to be serviced by AMR,” he said. ‘I am unsure whether AMR will continue to service only Perry Township, since it is a small area. This would leave either the City of Evansville, Vanderburgh County Fire, or Posey County EMS to respond to Perry Township.”

“Currently, Posey County has a mutual aid agreement with Vanderburgh County to respond to Perry County if needed. If this is the case, I am concerned that the call volume will exceed what Posey County is used to,” he described.

President Bill Collins stated that the purpose of a mutual aid agreement is to address emergency situations, which is different from being unprepared, as it seems. Collins stated that if Posey County is going to make continuous runs to this area, there should be some type of financial agreement. Micheletti stated that is why he is bringing this to the Commissioners’ attention in advance so that plans can be made. Commissioner Greg Newman clarified that if mutual aid is requested and help is available, this is one thing, but if help is not available, it must be turned down. Micheletti stated that currently, if mutual aid is requested and all but one ambulance is not in service, Posey County will provide help, but if more than one ambulance is on a run, the request is turned down.

Micheletti gave the following report for January: 213 requests, with 115 transports and they took in $92,764 in revenue. He stated that during the recent snow event, the department staffed an extra ambulance for a total of 60 hours in anticipation of longer run times.

Posey County Highway Superintendent Steve Schenk provided the Commissioners with a lease agreement for two new dump trucks for the Highway Department. Schenk stated that the annual payments for each truck will be $70,414.12, paid over three annual lease payments.

Posey County Sheriff Tom Latham gave the following inmate housing update: Department of Corrections-7, Vanderburgh County-10 and Posey County-90 for a total of 107 incarcerations. Latham also addressed the recent officer-involved shooting and the need to make changes to the current radios. Collins stated that he spoke with the company servicing the radios, and they have expressed concern, too. “We need to ensure that all County radios have been inspected by the company so we can find a solution to the current issues,” he urged.

A bid was accepted from Kelley Chevrolet for $53,688 for vehicles for the Posey County Sheriff’s office. Latham stated that this bid is in line with the specifics.

Kyle Jones with the Posey County Health Department provided the Commissioners with a drawing of the remodel that the department is proposing for their building. Jones stated that his department received three bids. The lowest bid, 29,450, was from Mike Greenwell, who completed the first remodel of the building. Collins asked whether this was in the Health Department’s budget. Jones stated yes, it would come from the 2025 HFI carry-over funds. Newman made a motion to accept Greenwell Construction’s bid and it carried with a vote of 3-0.

A 2026 contract for legal counsel was presented to the Commissioners by Collins with nothing changed from the previous year. The motion carried with a vote of 3-0. He also presented three contracts to consider for services provided by EREP for 2026. The contract with EREP for six months was approved for $62,841.50 with a vote of 3-0.

Posey County Building Commissioner Ed Battieger provided the Commissioners with information regarding the nuisance complaint on Highway 69. Battieger stated that no work had been done at the property and believed the homeowner was still incarcerated. County Attorney Joe Harrison asked if a fine had been imposed on this property and the Commissioner stated that he did not do so because the owner was incarcerated. The Commissioners discussed the options for gathering quotes to have the property cleaned up. Harrison stated that a letter needs to be delivered to the homeowner at the jail, stating that the Commissioners will gather quotes to complete this work, and giving her the option to gather her own quotes. A motion to proceed with gathering quotes for consideration at the second February meeting and contacting the homeowner carried with a vote of 3-0.

Justin Hoffman, with American Structure Point, provided the Commissioners with an update on progress with the Western Bypass. He announced that Phase 1 East bids will be opened at the March 3, Commissioners meeting.

Posey County Extension Director Kristin Lowry addressed the Commissioners regarding the annual report she emailed them.