And Max Miller, where are you at?

Max, would you come up to the podium and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance this morning, please?

Thank you.

I pledge allegiance to the black of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

All right, let's begin.

Commissioner Gable, go ahead.

Well, it's a privilege.

Thank all of you men for coming today to have you here to be recognized for your great accomplishments.

In this crazy world, we're in the wholesomeness and the celebration of the great effort that you put forward is going to bring lifelong memories, and it's something very positive and wholesome for not just you, but for this entire community.

So with that in mind, uh we'll probably have uh Coach Wilderman bring your team up in front and the other dignitaries come up here and we'll introduce you to the to the people here to make it official.

So you guys have to stand, follow your leader.

Oh, you don't want memorial going.

Uh first off, I want to thank you guys for having us out.

Um, it is an honor to be here and to recognize the special group.

Um we had a really fun season, and um it was an honor to represent such a great community.

So I want to thank you guys for having us come out.

Do you want to recognize some of the players that are here today and some of the coaches as well?

Um, first we have Derek Branson, Jacob Caldemeyer, Dylan Murphy, Will Hoffman, Cam Stratman, Kyle Katowitz, Jackson Schaefer, Spencer Schiff, Cole Breden, and Max Miller.

Um, coaches that are here there are Andy Hoffman and Kevin Pennington, Athletic Director Sam Fleming, and President Deacon Dan Neyer.

So want to thank you guys for having us come out.

Um, we really do appreciate all the support.

Thanks, Coach.

Hey, coach coach, while everybody's up here, commissioners, you want to get a picture real quick with them?

While they're quick?

Yeah.

You guys want to squish in a little bit more, we can get a picture.

Latter day grad, earned memorial.

And very game back here, just great board record memorial.

So I'm in enemy territory, just about every day.

All right, one, two, three.

Yep.

So again, uh, gentlemen, thank you.

Thank you for representing our community and congratulations.

Today we have uh here in the state of Indiana in Vanderburgh County, a proclamation declaring Tuesday, July 14th, 2026 as modern day baseball state championship day in Vanderburg County, Indiana.

Whereas the modern-day high school Wildcats baseball team demonstrated exceptional dedication, discipline, perseverance, and teamwork throughout the 2026 baseball season, and whereas the Wildcats represented Vandenberg County with integrity, sportsmanship, and excellence, inspiring young athletes throughout our community to pursue their goals through determination, character, and teamwork.

And whereas on June 20th, 2026, the Wildcats captured the Indiana High School Athletic Association, Class 2A State Championship, bringing home the school's first baseball state title since 1999.

And whereas whereas the Wildcats completed the 2026 season with a 31 and 3 record and a share of the SIEC title.

And whereas the Wildcats concluded their championship season winning 18 consecutive games, and whereas the Wildcats earned the school's second state title after either trailing or going extra innings to capture five of their seven state tournament games.

And whereas the Wildcats were down to their final strike and their final out in their final inning before scoring and then capturing the state title over Bluffton in extra innings.

Whereas the Vanderburg County Board of Commissioners wishes to recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of the Modern Day High School baseball team and the pride they brought to our county.

Now therefore be a proclaimed that the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim Tuesday, July 14, 2026 as Modern Day Baseball State Championship Day in Vandenberg County, Indiana.

Encourage all citizens to join and current congratulating the players, coaches, faculty, staff, families, and supporters of Modern Day High School for this extraordinary achievement and for representing our community with X excellence both on and off the field.

Congratulations.

Yeah, congratulator.

A couple other comments.

I think obviously what you have done and the way you had done it, the confidence you showed, and the uh extraordinary efforts that it took.

And it probably was one of the most exciting state tournaments in the history of Indiana because of the number of games that went to extra innings, the number of games that were not decided until you guys decided to decide the end the the results.

The fact that you followed your coaches, uh, you're very talented group, there's no question.

But you have to have leadership and guys that get led the way, and the coaches did a great job.

Sam Fleming from the athletic office is here, and he also showed that leadership.

And of course, Deacon Dan Neyer, if uh you want to follow someone in the right direction, get behind him.

Uh Dan has been very busy with excavating, driving bulldozers.

If any of you have been around modern day high school in recent days, you can't hardly find the school any longer.

There's so much work going on.

And that's all tribute to Dan for the funds that he's raised and the uh improvements that are gonna be made.

But I did want to, I know all of you are great students of history, and you don't stop studying, and you I know you probably have your books open right now, getting ready for next semester, you guys that are coming back, but there is a little bit of a history lesson here too.

Uh principal Darren Neem, uh Darren Knight could not make it.

He's in a meeting, but Darren Knight was the head coach of the very first modern day baseball state championship team in 1999, and he's with you on the field receiving the the gold medal uh after you won your tournament, so that was kind of fitting.

Um I think one of the classic uh examples of history repeating itself, Max Miller, the player of the year for the SIEC and uh a great hitter, what 479 you batted.

Congratulations.

Uh that's amazing.

But anyway, uh to the clutch hits in the end, and so every one of you had those kind of contributions.

But uh the fact that Max did that in 1999, his father, Nick Miller played on that state championship team and drove in five runs and hit a home run.

Uh so the family tradition carried on.

Adam Schiff, who coached moderately last year to the state runner up, couldn't is not here today, but he was uh he handed over the reins to our new coach, first year coach, state championship.

Adam, that's phenomenal.

You've got memories now, and you're gonna just keep you building on.

But Adam was here, he coached last year, his son Spencer, of course, is an all-conference catcher, and he is on this 2026 state championship team.

So a lot of great ties, a lot of great history, and I do want to make one mention the man to my left uh played football, basketball, and baseball for modern day high school, and he started both in the 1998 state runner-up team and also the 1999 state championship team, and Justin Elpers has got some awards of his own.

And Justin Elpers has got some awards of his own.

So we have a lot of history, a lot of great times, and I'll let you guys be on your way with your summer vacation to go swimming or back to bed or whatever you're going to do.

I want to thank Laura Toms in particular for uh helping craft the resolution.

And she's got a copy for each of you to take with you.

And you are, I guess now you seniors especially you're officially dismissed.

Before you guys leave, will you sign your names here so I spell everybody's name correctly in the minute?

Commissioner Gable, if I may.

Um coach, uh you know, your first year state championship, you set the bar really high.

So uh good luck with everything in the future.

Uh, as I was watching all the social media stuff come in, I do have a question.

Max, I don't mean to put you on the spot, but um it really struck me, and I watched it probably about four or five times.

Can you explain the chocolate milk thing to us at the podium?

How did that all come about?

Come on up.

I again I probably watched that four or five times.

So what was the strategy?

You had you probably had to pack that right and like explain what happened there.

Uh they were all telling me to all my teammates are telling me I had to chug it, and uh I just went for it.

I thought I was gonna throw up at the end, to be honest, but you didn't look like it, so it looked like everything was fine.

So yeah, it went pretty well.

Yeah.

Was that trying to mirror like the ND500 or what what was the thoughts behind the uh there wasn't really any thoughts behind it?

I guess okay.

It was great.

So again, congratulations, Max.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Well, you've all you've all represented this area really well.

Good luck next year.

We know we got a lot coming back, but also want to make a comment that we hope as a commission to start this as a tradition that will recognize the great wholesomeness and great feats of future state champion teams of all sorts because always it truly makes Vannover County proud, and it's good to see uh positive uh events like this.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming in.

You're you're allowed to continue your education and watch a commissioner meeting, or you're allowed to vacate.

After they sign in.

Gotta sign in.

Yep.

Have a good day.

Okay.

Is there a motion on the floor to proclaim today as modern-day baseball state championship?

So moved.

Commissioner Gable?

Yes.

Commissioner Canterbury, yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

All right.

All right, ready to move on to the other business.

Okay.

Uh the auditor, uh, we have on the uh action item general code agreement for supplemental services.

This is an extension of the agreement for online code through June 2027, an annual maintenance fee of 1,195.

The provider is also upgrading to more advanced technology that will provide additional features and increased functionability for both staff and members of the public.

Teresa, any comments on this?

No, he actually uh he actually said everything that I needed to say.

All right, motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Yes.

Commissioner Canterbury, yes, President Elpers.

Yes.

Uh also with that, we need to uh what's on the floor is amendment to the terms and conditions of the agreement, uh, extending it with General Code LLC.

Is there a motion?

So moved.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury, yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Moving on, engineer.

Uh change order number one, BC 26, hyphen zero four, hyphen zero two, Charlotte Avenue Pipe Replacement.

This is an increase of 7,775 and 56 cents to replace a 60-inch storm manhole with a 72-inch manhole.

This is due to the excavation revealing a different existing pipe size than what was estimated at the manhole's proposed location.

So the larger manhole is required for the correct pipe diameter.

I don't have any questions.

I did check with the engineer's office on this.

Everything is good to go.

Good deal.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Yes.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elbers.

Yes.

Number two, County Rideaway Encroachment Agreement at 2525 Willow Creek Drive.

The property owner has just requested to move his fence back a few feet into McDowell Road right of way.

John with the county engineer has approved of the proposed fence relocation.

And he did shoot us an email on that as well.

Okay.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Number three from University Parkway Improvements.

Chip, you here, right?

Come on up to the podium, please.

Are any other representatives you got?

Okay.

University Parkway Improvement Plans for Old Farm Development.

Morning, Chip.

Good morning.

Anything that you want to state here, what's going on, or give us an update?

Sure.

We're here today to discuss J turn.

We're currently moving dirt, fighting a lot of rain.

So it's not exactly going the way we wanted it to, but hopefully we've got a few weeks coming up here that we're going to get a lot get a lot of work done.

But just working through a lot with Cash Wagner.

Gotta get with EWSU.

We got a lot of work, a lot to get through with them and also center point, but that's where we're at right now is just moving dirt and trying to get some roads in.

Gotcha.

Any particulars on the J turn?

That you want us.

I think we've worked through most everything and we've got the most recent drawings submitted.

And that's that's what we're here today to try to get approved.

Uh we spent a lot of time with John and everyone trying to get everybody on the same page, and I think we got it dialed in.

Good deal.

Commissioners, anything else?

No, thank you for pushing for and accepting the J turn over a traffic signal.

Absolutely.

Uh university parkway is going to remain the parkway.

Thank you.

Well, Mike is a West Sider myself.

The last thing I wanted to see was a stoplight.

Absolutely.

I think a lot of us were on the same page for that.

So and Chip also as well, uh, we're working through proper lighting for this location as well.

Correct.

Yep.

Yes.

Okay.

Yep.

It's going to be an absolute awesome addition to the University Parkway.

Appreciate it.

All right.

I'll make the motion to approve.

Okay.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Thank you, Chip.

And watching that dirt moving.

That's right.

Thanks.

Letter D, Health Department.

Amendment number three to Indian Department of Health grant contract number 91512.

This is amendment is this amendment is for an increase of 43,674 dollars to continue funding the salary of the disease investigation specialist through February 2027.

The specialist works to stop the spread of communical diseases through testing, treating, and contact tracing of certain diseases.

I did get an email from uh Joe Grease that this is something in the past they've always uh applied for.

So it's so good that they keep getting these grants for this much needed work.

That helps.

Yes.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Number two, Indian Department of Health grant agreement contract number one zero one three four five for nutrition and physical activity grant.

This is a new grant that will provide 20,000 in funding to provide produce boxes to individuals in the diabetes prevention program who have food and security.

This will provide nutritious food in an effort to improve health outcomes for people who have the possibility of being diagnosed with diabetes.

So again, another grant opportunity here by the health department.

Good stuff.

Okay.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Next up is purchasing.

Doshanay is here.

Number one, commercial fuel master agreement with Heritage Petroleum.

Doll China, what you got for us on this one?

Good morning, Commissioners.

Um, this is our um fuel head for the commercial fueling.

And I I'm asking that you guys go ahead and approve that.

The pricing for that that we have locked in for 2026 is $2.94 for unlighted and $3.15 for diesel.

Um I do know that commission um the county departments are currently receiving those rates.

We just want to get a fully executed agreement in place.

Okay, I'll make the motion to approve.

I make a motion to come and fill up me too.

Me too.

Well, thank you.

And I second.

Uh madam, before the vote, I will abstain from voting.

Commissioner Gable?

Yes.

Commissioner Canterberry.

Yes.

Next up is the agreement with Heritage Patrol and to purchase bulk fuel delivery.

Correct.

And so with the bulk fuel, it's a little bit different.

It's uh not a locked in rate.

Um they have markups and different items that it's based on, but I do know that we're getting a good deal.

We put that out for RFP um during 2025.

And again, this is one of the agreements that um also county departments are utilizing, and I think that they're really happy with.

Um, and we just want to get a fully executed agreement in place.

Okay.

Motion to approve.

Thank you.

Same thing on this one.

I'll abstain.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury, yes.

Thank you, Doshanay.

Thank you.

Next up, Sheriff's Department.

Memorandum of understanding with Amsville School Corporation for School Resource Deputies.

This is to appoint three deputies to serve the EBSC schools outside of civil city limits for the next four school years.

Sheriff Robinson?

Thank you.

Yes, this is a first of its kind contract.

Previously, the sheriff's office kind of had a handshake deal with the EVSC to provide sheriff deputies for the sum of $96,000 a year.

That figure had remained unchanged for uh nearly 15 years, if not more.

And so this is the first time we've had a contract with the EBSC.

We sit down with Dr.

Darla Hoover and began working on that.

A great collaboration.

Uh, she had some concerns, I had some concerns.

We worked through our differences with through a spirit of mutual respect.

And she listened to me.

I listened to her.

We were able to work together for this contract, which I'm very proud of.

Thank you.

Good deal.

Motion to approve.

I think this is such an important safety factor for our schools.

Thank you for absolutely pushing for this.

And I second.

Commissioner Gable.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

I appreciate Sheriff working with the school corporation to keep our kids safe.

I vote yes.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Next up, highway.

Hold on up, Jeff.

Award quote for HVAC replacement.

Jeff, what's going on with the county garage?

Looks like we need to replace something, huh?

Yeah, the boiler's over 40 years old.

We just can't find parts for it anymore.

So we'd like to replace it with a 40-year runs pretty good though for HVAC.

It's a lot of work to it.

Usually it's a 10 to 12 year lifeline, you know.

Yeah, so we're not going to replace it with another boiler.

They've come um it's kind of a modern thing.

It's uh some infrared heaters they're gonna put out throughout the garage.

Um the three quotes we received are Harold Fish 50,985 perfection HVAC at 51741, midwest roofing and insulation 89,683.

Is there a motion to move forward with the lowest quote?

So I'll move.

Commissioner Gable?

Yes, Commissioner Canterbury, yes, President Elberts.

Yes.

Thank you.

Thank you, Jeff.

Have a good day.

Hifth amendment to contract for services with St.

Vincent Health Wellness and Preventive Care Institute Incorporated, does business as Ascension St.

Vincent Tri-State Clinics.

This extends the agreement for the clinic through the end of the year with no additional changes.

Okay.

Uh with the clinic, obviously the commissioners encourage our employees to use it.

It's convenient.

Uh you can get online and schedule an appointment and everything.

You get in and out.

They even got prescription drugs in there and everything.

So it's kind of a one-stop shop.

It's nice for us when we got little ones.

It's kind of like we go through a moxicillum, like no other stuff.

There you go.

It's very convenient.

So very good.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Gable.

Yes.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elbers.

Yes.

Department Head Reports.

Anyone here from a particular department would like to come up and talk to the commissioners going once?

Going twice.

Commissioners, any new business.

See none.

Old business.

See none.

Consent item.

I'm sorry.

Oh, that didn't get consent items.

Uh A through H.

Any discussion there on consent items.

No.

Commissioner Gable, anything on consent items?

Okay.

Is there a motion?

So move.

Okay.

Commissioner Gable.

Yes.

Commissioner Canterbury.

Yes.

President Elpers.

Yes.

Last up on our agenda is public comment.

I do have one person on the list, but that doesn't mean you can't come up if you're not on the list.

Christopher Newman.

Chris, come on up.

Oh.

Morning.

State your name and address for the record, please.

Christopher Newman, 3121 South Rotherwood, Evansville.

Thanks for coming in, Chris.

It looks like we do have a printout.

Is this something that you uh put together for us?

Right?

Yes.

Yes.

Uh first I want to thank the commissioners and Laura for inviting me to speak this morning.

Yesterday I submitted a proposal asking officials across Southwest Indiana to consider establishing a regional data center advisory committee and a consistent framework for evaluating large-scale data center development.

I want to be clear what I'm asking.

I am not asking the commissioners to support or oppose a specific data center.

I'm not asking you to take a pet position on a moratorium today.

And I am not asking you to immediately approve every recommendation contained in the proposal that I sent.

I am asking that we be begin creating a public and regional planning process before individual projects, incentive agreements, and infrastructure commitments are placed before our communities.

Large scale data centers do not stop at county lines.

Whether a regional working group can be established.

Economic development and responsible planning do not have to be opposing ideas.

But meaningful planning needs to be begin before the largest decisions have already been made.

Thank you for time and consideration.

I would be glad to answer any questions that the commission may have.

Chris, thanks for coming in again.

There's already in the works for our county, a uh not worded an advisory committee, but a study committee, and that will be coming from area plan.

Um a lot of the things that you mentioned here about members and those members being from certain strengths and what their goals are.

I think it's I think that model is going to look something to what you're pointing to.

So uh that meeting will be public at with the APC, and then that um proposal and how that study committee looks will be coming to the commissioner's office.

So I'd be happy to put this into the record and also shoot this over to um uh the area plan, but we'll have this in our back pocket to look at as well.

Thank you very much.

Any other questions?

Commissioners, anything else?

No, I just want to make a statement, Chris.

This is proactive and and very well done, and obviously it's some of the uh same concerns that we all share and to get out in front of it, but uh exactly know what we're going to have as far as a data center if one does shell.

Um so we got work to do.

Yeah, but thank you for the framework.

I've read your email and information and very thorough.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

Thanks for coming in.

No one else come up and speak to the commissioners going once, going twice for public comment.

Is there a motion to adjourn?

Salute.

Okay, next up, drainage.

Okay.

Wonderful.

This is drainage board attendance.

All right.

Good morning.

Morning.

All right.

So let me call to order the Vanderburgh County Drainage Board meeting for July 14th, 2026.

I guess I don't know if you'll call the rope.

Commissioner Elpers.

Here.

Commissioner Gable.

President Canterbury.

Here.

Please join me in pledging allegiance.

Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

And to the Republic for which it stands.

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

All right.

Do we have a motion to approve the previous minutes?

Motion to approve the previous minutes.

Commissioner Elpers.

Commissioner Gable.

President Canterbury.

Yes.

All right.

Number two.

And with Cash Wagner.

Yes.

A plan was previously presented to the board on April the 14th, 2026.

That and that amended plan was approved with a variance.

According to Glenn Merritt of Cash Wagner in an email dated June 24th, 26th.

And I'm quoting Clink has decided that they want install a storm sewer pipe in the proposed swale number two along the east property line.

The runoff from the gravel storage lot will flow along the east edge of the gravel and drain from south to north.

The existing berm along the east property line will also be utilized to direct the runoff into the area drain structures.

Finish my quote there.

Any questions?

No questions.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Elbers.

Yes.

Commissioner Gable?

Yes.

President Canterbury.

Yes.

Okay, and then we have as built drainage plan approval for McCutcheon Trace 3, also with Cash Wagner.

A plan was previously presented to and approved by the board on July 27th of 2020 for McCutch and Trace subdivision.

The county engineer and the county surveyor's office did inspections on July 9th, 2026, after receiving initial as built plans for section three of the subdivision.

There were a few deficiencies found during the inspections, but these have been since been addressed.

Both the county surveyor and the county engineer agree that the following as built plans, sheet C 102 dated July 13th, 2026, basin number two certification dated July 10, 2026, and basin number three certification dated eight April 19, 2024, meet code requirements for approval.

Questions?

No questions.

Motion to approve.

Commissioner Elpers.

Yes.

Commissioner Gable.

President Canterbury.

Yes.

Okay.

And then we have some ditch claims.

Since the last Drench Board meeting of June 30th, 2026, there have been two claims submitted in the amount of 440 dollars and no cents.

The claim for Hutch Drone Pro in the amount of 340 is for work awarded in 2026.

The 100 amount is for emergency tree tree removal in Palm Flat Maine.

I was contacted by Kevin Rexing on June 16th, 2026, stating a tree was down in Palm Flat, Maine.

He said that he would remove it for 100.

I said I told him to go ahead.

Yeah, you should have called him for tree removal, right?

Yes.

Motion to approve ditch claims.

Commissioner Elpers?

Yes.

Commissioner Gable?

Yes.

President Kennever.

Yes.

Okay.

And then on the informational side, uh Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission.

The next meeting will be held Monday, July 27th, 2026 at 10 a.m.

here in this room.

I don't know.

Anything special?

Oh, we do have uh the Pigeon Creek uh watershed development commission.

We are really close to being able to launch our uh website.

We've been working with the state.

Uh they do a depending on what you need, they can do a free one.

And we're like, yes, the perfect price.

So um we're uh Justin Dixon, our executive director's been working with them and working on that.

Uh we have had a few hiccups, but we're moving forward, and hopefully, I'm crossing my fingers that uh we'll be having that live as soon as possible.

Anything you want to add, Justin?

Uh two weeks.

He says two weeks.

Yeah.

So other business.

Do you want me to?

We do we do have the letter.

No, I thought about it.

We did have a vote on it, and okay.

Just want to share with the board the courtesy copy before they send it out.

They have any individual suggestions.

Okay.

Um devisions to make.

Okay, wonderful.

All right.

Any public comment?

All right.

You have a motion to adjourn.

Second.

Thank you, Lena.

Thank you.

Good job.