Van Buren County Commission approves multiple budget amendments, contracts and appointments

The Van Buren County Commission met March 23 at the Van Buren County Administrative Facility & Justice Center and approved a slate of routine measures including budget amendments, a hauling contract and several appointments.

Tabitha Denney moved to approve a $1,000 transfer from Fund Balance (122‑39000) into the Drug Fund (122‑54150‑499) for the sheriff’s department; the motion, seconded by Michael Chandler, passed on a roll-call vote with nine yes votes. Denney also moved to approve $175 for the county’s 2026 Chamber of Commerce membership; Kenny Smith seconded and the motion passed 8–1, with Commissioner Terry Hodges recording the sole no vote.

The commission approved listing three county vehicles (a 2011 ambulance, a 2011 Ford F‑250 and a Ford F‑150) with Tays Realty and Auction and authorized the County Mayor’s Office to solicit sealed bids for the 2001 Freightliner garbage truck; both measures passed by voice vote. The commission also approved a $7,595 reallocation for sheriff payroll-related accounts and a separate $10,000 transfer to fund deputy salaries; both passed on roll-call votes.

Commissioners approved the RTS Hauling Services Agreement with Fall Creek Falls State Park following a motion by Terry Hickey and a second by Tabitha Denney; the contract passed by roll call. Jordan Delong moved to approve minutes from the Feb. 9 full commission meeting and the Feb. 13 Audit Committee minutes; both were approved by voice vote.

Other routine approvals included the appointment of Ashley Nicole Cail and Sumor L. George as notaries public and a $150 trustee‑commission budget amendment; both passed on roll call. The commission also approved a $5,000 amendment in the Solid Waste Fund on roll call.

The meeting adjourned at 6:51 p.m.

Votes at a glance (actions recorded in meeting minutes):
- Approve minutes (Feb. 9, 2026): motion by Terry Hickey, second Kenny Smith — voice vote, approved (SEG 007).
- Budget amendment: Drug Fund $1,000 (122‑39000 → 122‑54150‑499): motion by Tabitha Denney, second Michael Chandler — roll call, approved (SEG 019–020).
- Chamber dues $175: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Kenny Smith — roll call 8–1, approved (SEG 023–025).
- List county vehicles with Tays Realty and Auction: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Kenny Smith — voice vote, approved (SEG 028).
- Authorize sealed bids on 2001 Freightliner garbage truck: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Kenny Smith — voice vote, approved (SEG 029).
- Budget amendment $7,595 for Sheriff’s Department payroll: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Terry Hodges — roll call, approved (SEG 030–031).
- Budget amendment $10,000 for deputy salaries: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Terry Hickey — roll call, approved (SEG 033–034).
- Approve RTS hauling contract (Fall Creek Falls State Park): motion by Terry Hickey, second Tabitha Denney — roll call, approved (SEG 036–038).
- Approve Notaries Public (Ashley Nicole Cail; Sumor L. George): motion by Jordan Delong, second Michael Chandler — voice vote, approved (SEG 047).
- Trustee commissions budget amendment $150: motion by Tabitha Denney, second Kenny Smith — roll call, approved (SEG 056–057).
- Solid Waste Fund amendment $5,000: motion by Terry Hickey, second Jordan Delong — roll call, approved (SEG 059–061).

(All vote descriptions and tallies are taken from the meeting minutes.)