Recorder’s Office Preserves Dubois County History

The Dubois County Commissioners assembled early on Monday morning with an agenda heavily focused on preservation. 

Representatives from the County Recorder’s Office told the Commissioners that they have completed their special project of scanning some historical works for the county. This preserved county documents going back two hundred years. At the last meeting, the Commissioners had expressed an interest in extending the project to include other historical documents that are degrading with age and which were not within the scope of the original project. An agreement was made to allow the Assistant Recorder to scan additional items on behalf of the Commissioners, pending Council approval. After the project’s conclusion, the Recorder’s Officer plans to sell the scanner purchased for this project in order to recapture some funds for the County. 

Jenny Matheis of the Indiana 15 Regional Planning Commission gave an update on the Owner- Occupied Rehab bidding process. Matheis said that while it has been a struggle to obtain bids for all of the approved repairs, particularly in regard to roofing, electrical, and ADA work, some have been received. The Commissioners approved the low bids or only bids received for seven contracts presented.  

Highway Reports were delivered by County Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken, who succeeded Steve Berg after his recent retirement, and County Highway Engineer Brent Wendholt. Lueken said that the department is resolving some reduced staffing issues and has begun hiring for some open positions. Approval was granted for the closure of sanitation sites on November 11 for Veterans Day and November 28 for Thanksgiving. 

Wendholt updated the Commissioners on the status of Bridge 78 at 600 West and Division. He said that due to the state of the deck, joints, and beams, the repairs are beyond the scope of what the County’s bridge crew will be able to take on, including hydro-demolition and redesign. The Commissioners approved Wendholt’s request to move forward with the Council to request appropriations for the design only, which will be a significant investment, coming in at an estimated $93,000. Additional appropriations for construction will be requested at a later date if the design is approved. The Commissioners also approved the request to begin the process of associating a fee with utility permits in order to increase accountability and create a fund for any road repairs associated with utility work. 

The Director of Dubois County Emergency Management, Tammy Humbert, secured the Commissioners’ approval to approach the Council regarding the purchase of some Courthouse security equipment. Humbert said that the equipment is badly needed in order to update security hardware currently in place at the Courthouse. Humbert presented a recommendation for purchase and quotes that will be presented to the Council. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit duboiscountyin.org/government


 - By Drew Hasselbring