Building Contractors Licensing Board Meeting - May 27, 2026

The Building Contractors Licensing Board convened on May 27, 2026, at 10:30 AM. Members present: John Bassemeyer, Chris Cooper, Matt Pruitt, Pete Winsler, Johnny McAllister, Kathy Evanson. The meeting covered approval of previous minutes, review of numerous contractor license applications, an update on the new online proctored testing system, and a retirement announcement.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes from the April 15, 2026 meeting were approved by unanimous voice vote.

Discussion Items

Applicant Reviews (License Approvals & Conditions)

The board reviewed 14 applicants. Decisions are summarized as follows:

• Timothy Chewy (Journeyman sign contractor): Motion to approve; seconded; approved unanimously.
• Jeffrey Hall (Draw partition contractor): Discussion about letters of recommendation addressing individual knowledge (per previous legal advice). Motion and second; approved unanimously.
• Jacob McDowell: All notary dates expired on his letters. Motion to postpone approval pending receipt of letters with current notarization; approved unanimously.
• Andon McLeod (Commercial contractor): Motion to approve; seconded; approved unanimously.
• Sean Miller (Brick and Masonry contractor): Initially only two letters in packet; board found a third letter. Motion and second; approved unanimously.
• Kyle Wayne Page (Residential building contractor): Notary issue resolved (letter notary on front/back). Motion to approve; seconded; approved unanimously.
• Charles Reeves Jr. (Fire Sprinkler contractor): All letters addressed to company, not individual. Motion to deny pending receipt of personal recommendation letters; seconded; denied (approved pending new letters).
• Bradley Rose (Residential contractor): Only two recommendation letters plus a bond (not a letter). Motion to approve pending receipt of one more notarized letter; approved pending.
• Christopher Savaka (Excavating/concrete footing contractor): Initially appeared to have only two letters but third was confirmed in a different packet. Motion to approve; seconded; approved unanimously.
• Joseph Stock (Commercial waterproofing): All three letters recommended the company, not the individual. Motion pending three new letters for the individual; seconded; approved pending.
• Justin Sullivan (Dan Cole Roofing Services): All three letters with notary. Motion to approve; seconded; approved unanimously.
• Kevin Torwiska (Commercial building contractor): All three letters present. Motion; second; approved unanimously.
• Burke Watts (Structural steel/residential contractor): Three letters with notary. Motion; second; approved unanimously.
• Francisco Fabian Torres (Wood framing, siding, gutter contractor): Three letters with notary. Motion; second; approved unanimously.

Testing System Update

Bill Petke (Southwestern Indiana Builders Association) provided an update on the new online proctored contractor test. Key points:

• The testing and proctoring software integration is not yet complete but making good progress. Payment and registration portals are ready.
• Practice tests should be available soon. Code questions are provided; administrative messaging still needs coordination with staff.
• Once approved by the board, applicants will receive an email with a link to pay ($175) and a code to start the test. The test is a three-hour timed session; applicants cannot pause and resume later.
• The system uses behavioral monitoring via webcam to flag suspicious activity; flagged videos can be reviewed.
• Current policy: applicants have one year from application to pass the test. The board discussed possibly setting a retake limit (e.g., three attempts per year) and requiring a code class after multiple failures, but no decision was made. The matter will be brought up at a future meeting.
• Bill Petke noted the board has control over retake policy and can adjust as needed.

New Business

• Deputy Building Commissioner Retirement: Bart Schutz will retire on July 7, 2026. The board will seek a replacement; interested individuals can watch for job postings or contact Johnny McAllister.

Key Outcomes

• Previous meeting minutes approved.
• 14 contractor license applications reviewed: 10 approved outright, 1 postponed (Jacob McDowell), 2 approved pending additional letters (Bradley Rose, Joseph Stock), 1 denied pending new personal letters (Charles Reeves Jr.).
• Testing system update noted; no formal action taken. The retake limit policy discussion deferred to a future meeting.
• Board informed of Bart Schutz’s retirement and will begin search for a new deputy building commissioner.
• Meeting adjourned by unanimous voice vote.