Vigo County OKs easements for three sites in $7.1M 9-1-1 tower plan

The Vigo County commissioners on voice votes approved three resolutions granting easements for sites that county staff said will host ancillary towers to expand the county's 9-1-1 communications coverage.

Terry, a county staff member who said he prepared the easement documents, told commissioners the project will add sites to improve coverage and emergency call reliability across the county. He said the county will place towers at the Pearson Township Community Center, a Vigo County Parks and Recreation site at Hawthorne Park, and at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College as part of a broader plan tied to an already-approved primary tower. "So these resolutions are approving an easement for Pearson Township Community Center ... and then thirdly, for Saint Mary of the Woods College," Terry said.

Terry described the overall project cost as "very, very large" and estimated it at about $7.1 million to $7.2 million; he framed the easements as a next step in a multi-year effort to improve 9-1-1 coverage. County staff also said some of the project funding was appropriated in prior budgets and that initial contract encumbrances have begun.

Commissioners moved, seconded and approved each resolution in turn. The resolutions were read as numbers 2026-4 (Pearson Township Community Center), 2026-5 (Vigo County Parks and Recreation at Hawthorne Park) and 2026-6 (Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College); each motion passed by voice vote with "aye" recorded.

The approvals authorize staff to finalize easement documents for the three locations; staff said additional budget and contracting steps remain, including further appropriations to be requested from the county council for the 2027 budget cycle.

The commissioners concluded the item and moved to other business.