Residents press commissioners for dollar amounts on travel and nonprofit contracts; long‑time attendee offers farewell

During the Feb. 16 meeting’s public‑comment period, residents urged greater transparency about the dollar amounts attached to travel and nonprofit contracts, and commissioners responded that the expenditures are in the budget process.

Cindy Hyczyk of Goshen said she understood the All Rise travel request was funded but asked that the board provide specific dollar amounts for clarity. "We have 7 employees going, and assuming that we get the discounted rate, that's gonna be over $6,000 just for the registration fees," Hyczyk said, noting hotel and per diem were additional. Pam Kaiser of Middlebury echoed calls for clearer disclosure about county payments to nonprofit partners ADEC and Basher Home and suggested those areas be reviewed for possible reductions.

Commissioners and staff responded that the ADEC and Basher Home agreements are budgeted and provide services the county cannot offer directly; the county attorney and other commissioners said the budget process includes the necessary transparency and that the item’s budgeted status was why the board approved the contracts and task orders.

Later in the meeting, long‑time attendee Glenn Noll delivered farewell remarks in which he criticized a prior COVID response under former leadership, saying he would not return if similar actions were taken again. Commissioners acknowledged his years of attendance and offered thanks. No formal board actions were initiated in response to the comments.

What’s next: Staff will execute the approved travel and contracts under the budgeted funds; members of the public may continue to request more granular line‑item information through the budget process or public records.