Planning office reports reimbursements, hires and confirms plat committee

During the meeting the planning director provided the offices monthly update: 55 permits have been issued so far this calendar year and total fees collected are $7,031.50. County Building Commissioner Tom Fouch completed 90 inspections through January.

On transportation reimbursements, the director said the office received $516,955.03 in MPO reimbursements for calendar year 2025; of that amount, $377,368.84 was returned to county general as funds the county paid on the offices behalf. The director explained allowable MPO reimbursements include salaries for staff performing MPO tasks, fuel for the MPO van used for trainings, and special tasks such as the ADA transition plan, beacon hosting, and aerial photography.

The commission also approved a motion to confirm the entire plat committee roster (voting and advisory members). Voting members listed included John Anderson (Muncie Sanitary District), Tom Borchers (county surveyor), Adam Leach (city engineer), Courtney Pruitt (stormwater management, Muncie Sanitary District), Ricky Sipe and the director. The office announced it hired Kayla Ferguson as demographics and zoning appeals planner and GIS specialist to replace Fred Daniel.

President Chris Smith announced he will present photographs and video from a Lewis and Clark trail grant trip on March 20; registration is required and the presentation is free.