Dubois County Board of Commissioners convened for their regular session, with a focus on improving various aspects of county life. A key highlight was Samuel Osterman’s presentation about his Eagle Scout project. Samuel had proposed a Missing in Action and Prisoners of War monument for the Courthouse Square. After discussing the feedback from Commissioner Blessinger and other board members, the Commissioners decided to move forward with the project, adding a new layer of honor to the Courthouse Square.
Highway Superintendent Steve Berg also provided an update, shedding light on several important issues. The replacement of a dump truck, initially approved by the County Council, was discussed. Since the 4H Fairgrounds needed a dump truck but had less demanding needs compared to the Highway Department, the board considered repurposing the truck for the fairgrounds instead of selling it. Berg also touched on the challenges of the mowing season, noting that the addition of a part-time mower had been helpful. Additionally, the department would be conducting its annual sticker audits at sanitation sites later in the week. Berg mentioned that property owners along County Road 750 West had been hesitant to release more land, which was needed for a turnaround. The department is exploring alternatives to address this issue while respecting residents’ wishes.
The board also heard from Houchens Insurance, which introduced Thrive, a new healthcare partner. Thrive’s innovative product aims to assist those with type 2 diabetes, pre-diabetes, and hypertension in managing their conditions through a dietary scoring system. This system uses a comprehensive food database to help users make healthier choices, simplifying dietary management for better health outcomes.
County Highway Engineer Brent Wendholdt provided a brief overview of current issues and future needs. He highlighted a funding gap that would need to be addressed later and discussed findings from a recent conference. The conference evaluated various road paving products, revealing that the county’s current asphalt-based option, though the second most expensive, performed poorly compared to a more cost-effective and eco-friendly polymer-based product. The board decided to test this new product on a section of 650 South to assess its performance and potential cost savings.
In another development, Commissioner Blessinger proposed a motion regarding the Dogwood Animal Clinic. With the Humane Society’s funding no longer covering certain expenses, the board agreed to allocate county funds to cover flea and tick treatments and up to ten days of boarding for stray animals taken in by the Sheriff’s Department. The Council supported increasing the budget for this purpose to $10,000.
Lastly, two residents raised concerns. Debra Utterback expressed unease about a Strassenfest display she felt was unsuitable for a family event, while Dave Schroeder criticized a road product that he believed was not drying properly and negatively affecting road conditions. Schroeder also suggested improving communication with residents affected by roadwork.
The meeting highlighted the board’s commitment to addressing community needs and balancing various interests, reflecting their ongoing efforts to enhance Dubois County for its residents.
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