Dearborn County commissioners set Feb. 17 public hearing on property sale and approve bridge closure, helipad termination and contracts

The Dearborn County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 approved a package of routine and calendar items, including scheduling a public hearing for the sale of county property on Westside Drive in Aurora and approving a temporary bridge closure for a nonprofit fundraiser.

Commissioners were told staff received a single bid of $15,500 from 10 Ape Holdings (James Riddle) for the property referred to as the Hogback. The board voted to publish notice and hold a public hearing on Feb. 17 before considering any sale; staff cited advertising requirements under Indiana Code 5-3-1.

Tamara Taylor, representing Community Bridge, asked to close the George Street bridge from Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. to Sept. 20 at 7 a.m. for an annual fundraising event that benefits a local addiction program. "We're asking for a motion to close the bridge," Taylor said; commissioners approved the closure and noted the mayor of Aurora and the county engineer have been consulted about lighting and electrical plans.

County staff reported that Saint Elizabeth will no longer need a county license for a secondary helipad site because it will use an alternate paved area; the board voted to terminate the county's license agreement with Saint Elizabeth effective Feb. 1.

Don Listerman, county engineer, reported receipt of mini-crossing funding and a Jan. 14 bid opening for Beatty Road paving. Two bids were received; the low bid from Dave O'Meara Contractor was $364,862. Commissioners voted to award the contract and sign the notice of award and acceptance.

The board also authorized a staff member to submit a proxy USDA Farm Services Agency ballot for the county committee election, approved a request from the Knights of Columbus to hold an annual "prayer on the square," and approved an annual inmate medical contract with Quality Correctional Care for $237,794.99 after county review.

Officials approved routine business including claims, payroll and minutes from the Jan. 6 meeting by voice vote. The meeting adjourned after public comment and a presentation by an Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs representative.