Vanderburgh County Commissioner and Drainage Board Meeting – August 10, 2026

The joint meeting of the Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners and the Drainage Board convened on August 10, 2026, at 8:59 a.m. The Commissioners addressed a series of action items, including bid awards, contract amendments, and a controversial rejection of a proposed parking ordinance. During the Drainage Board portion, a public hearing was held on the vacation of part of Cold Ditch. Public comment featured three speakers who addressed data center development, farming concerns, and the county coroner's office move.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the July 28, 2026, Board of Commissioners meeting minutes.
• Approved employment changes, claims vouchers for July 27 – July 31 and August 3 – August 7, 2026.
• Approved the June 2026 Innkeeper’s Tax Report.
• Retroactively approved a road closure request from the Evansville Wartime Museum.
• Approved travel requests for the Data Center Summit and the Indiana Election Administrator’s Conference.
• Approved the Engineer’s Report and Claims.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Taylor (4607 Hog Road): Expressed strong support for data center development as the “wave of our future” but urged the county to proceed “smarter” than past developments. She recommended a 12-member committee including fire chiefs, emergency management, environmental scientists, developers, citizens, a farmer, a student, and Commissioner Gable. She also suggested a one-year delay and providing resources to EREP for transparency. Taylor commended the commissioners for attending a data center information forum.
• Jason Nabb (9650 Upper Mount Vernon Road, farmer): Opposed large-scale data centers for their massive power and water consumption, grid strain, pollution, and lack of long-term safety data. He commended the commissioners for researching and involving the community before accepting applications, and volunteered to serve on the committee drafting the ordinance.
• Brian Underwood (coroner): Asked for clarification on the timeline and costs of moving from the current facility to the new building. He noted a $22,000 funding shortfall and requested definitive dates for moving and utilities. President Elpers said he would work with county council to resolve the shortfall and that the old building would likely be put up for sale.

Discussion Items

• Award Bid for Concrete Street Repairs: VC26-08-01 awarded to JBI Construction, Inc. for $704,241.20, covering repairs on Oglesby Drive, Strawberry Hill, and Copperfield subdivisions. Approved unanimously.
• Pipe Fee Acceptance for Saddle Creek Estates: Paid $1,138 for Section 2 and $1,948 for Section 3 under old Plan B procedures. Approved unanimously.
• Change Order #3 for Broadway Avenue Bridge Replacement: Final change order to balance material quantities, resulting in a ~2% overall increase. Approved unanimously.
• Temporary Speed Limit Reduction on Clover Drive: Reduced to 15 mph for an additional 30 days due to the Oak Hill Road Project detour. Approved unanimously.
• Street Plan Approval for Eagle Point Subdivision on Volkman Road: Approved unanimously.
• Amendment to Interlocal Agreement with Evansville Water and Sewer Utility: Increased reimbursement from $2,171,600 to $2,224,348 for water line relocation on Boonville-New Harmony Road. Approved unanimously.
• Sheriff’s Food Services Amendment: Amendment #2 with Aramark Correctional Services raised meal cost from $1.11 to $1.14 (average). Sheriff expressed satisfaction with the 1977 contract. Approved unanimously.
• Health Department Grant Amendment: Amendment #1 to IDOH grant #97197 increased funding by $516,471 for the Pre-3 program through end of 2026. Approved unanimously.
• Resolution on 2027 Meeting Dates: CO.R-08-26-018 approved unanimously.
• University Parkway EDA Amendment: Resolution CO.R-08-26-019 approved amendments to create a new TIF allocation area for the “Old Farm” project (maximum $10.5 million in bonds). Bonds are developer-purchase, non-recourse to the county. Approved unanimously.
• Vacation Ordinance for Easement at 9634 Hedden Road: Final reading of CO.V-08-26-006 to vacate part of a 30-foot public utility/drainage/railroad spur easement for a building addition. All neighboring letters received. Approved unanimously.
• Parking Ordinance Rejection: Ordinance CO.05-26-011 (amending Title 17, off-street parking) was brought forward for final reading. Commissioner Canterbury moved to reject it, stating she saw no parking problem in the county and that amendments were not finalized. Commissioner Gable opposed rejection, noting the work of APC and SEBA support. President Elpers seconded the motion. Vote: Gable – no, Canterbury – yes, Elpers – yes (2-1 to reject). Counsel explained the ordinance will return to APC for reconsideration within 45 days.
• New Business – Data Center Forum and Committee Formation: Commissioners announced attendance at a Data Center Information Forum in Indianapolis and the formation of a county committee to review data center impacts. The committee will include professionals in water, environment, economics, noise, and heat. The next meeting is August 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. to finalize the ordinance and committee.

Key Outcomes

• Bid Award: JBI Construction awarded contract for concrete street repairs ($704,241.20).
• Change Order: Broadway Avenue Bridge final change order approved with ~2% increase.
• Speed Limit: Temporary 15 mph reduction on Clover Drive extended 30 days.
• Interlocal Amendment: Increased reimbursement for water line relocation to $2,224,348.
• Sheriff Food Contract: Meal price increase to $1.14 approved.
• Health Grant: $516,471 increase for Pre-3 program.
• Meeting Dates: 2027 commissioner meeting dates approved.
• TIF Amendment: New allocation area for University Parkway EDA approved.
• Easement Vacation: Ordinance for 9634 Hedden Road easement vacated.
• Parking Ordinance: Rejected (2-1) – returned to APC for reconsideration.
• Consent Items: All approved.
• Drainage Board:
  • Approved Form 803 for Polyram 15,000 project (Foundation Avenue).
  • Held public hearing on Cold Ditch vacation (589 feet); no objections received. Approved (motion to vacate).
  • Received update on Mark Norman obstruction: awaiting response from Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Approved 13 ditch claims totaling $17,908.23 (including two for additional work).
  • Noted next Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission meeting on August 24, 2026.
  • Encroachment agreement for 2712 Willow Creek Drive remains in progress due to insurance requirement issues.