Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners and Drainage Board Meeting - August 10, 2026

The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners and Drainage Board convened on August 10, 2026, at 8:59 AM. The commissioners approved a $704,241.20 concrete street repair contract, a final bridge change order, an interlocal agreement amendment, a sheriff food service price increase, a health department grant increase, and resolutions for 2027 meeting dates and University Parkway EDA amendment. They rejected a proposed parking ordinance amendment. The drainage board approved a form 803, a ditch vacation for a subdivision, and $17,908.23 in claims.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the July 28, 2026 Board of Commissioners meeting minutes.
• Approved employment changes.
• Approved the Auditor's claims vouchers for July 27-31 and August 3-7, 2026.
• Approved a travel request for the Data Center Summit for the Commissioners.
• Approved the Engineer's report and claims.
• Accepted the June 2026 Innkeeper's Tax Report from the Treasurer.
• Retroactively approved a road closure request for the Evansville Wartime Museum (Sheriff).
• Approved a travel request for the Indiana Election Administrator's Conference (Voters Registration).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Taylor (4607 Hog Road): Expressed support for data centers but emphasized the need for smart development and community engagement. She recommended a diverse committee including representatives from emergency services, academia, and the community, and suggested giving EREP more time and resources.
• Jason Nabb (9650 Upper Mount Vernon Road): A farmer and fifth-generation landowner, opposed large-scale data centers based on his research, citing concerns over power grid strain, water usage, pollution, and lack of long-term data. He volunteered to serve on the committee developing data center ordinances.
• Brian Underwood: Sought clarification on the timeline for moving the Coroner's office and a $22,000 funding shortfall; will continue discussions with county council.

Discussion Items

• Engineer Items: All six items discussed and approved unanimously:
  • Concrete street repairs bid awarded to JBI Construction ($704,241.20).
  • Pipe fee acceptance for Saddle Creek Estates ($1,138 and $1,948).
  • Change Order #3 for Broadway Avenue Bridge (final change order with ~2% overall increase).
  • Temporary speed limit reduction on Clover Drive (15 mph for 30 days for detour).
  • Street plan approval for Eagle Point Subdivision.
  • Amendment to interlocal agreement for water line relocation (cost increase to $2,224,348).
• Sheriff: Approved Amendment #2 to Aramark food services contract, increasing cost from $1.11 to $1.14 per meal.
• Health Department: Approved Amendment #1 to IDOH grant (Contract #97197) for $516,471 to fund the pre-three program.
• Resolutions: Approved 2027 meeting dates (CO.R-08-26-018) and University Parkway EDA amendments (CO.R-08-26-019). Discussion clarified the new allocation area is for the 110-acre Farm project, enabling up to $10.5 million in developer-purchase TIF bonds with no recourse to the county.
• Vacation Ordinance: Final reading and approval of CO.V-08-26-006 to vacate a portion of a utility and drainage easement at 9634 Hedden Road. Petitioner explained all necessary neighbor letters obtained.
• Parking Ordinance: Commissioner Canterbury moved to reject Ordinance CO.05-26-011, arguing no parking problem exists. Commissioner Gable opposed rejection. Motion passed 2-1 (Canterbury and Elpers yes, Gable no). Staff noted the rejection will be sent to the Area Plan Commission for reconsideration within 45 days.

Drainage Board Proceedings

• Form 803 Approval: Accepted the first submitted form under the revised code for the Polyram project at 15,000 and 1510 Foundation Avenue.
• Cold Ditch Vacation (Public Hearing): Petitioner Greystone Estates requested vacation of approximately 589 feet of Cold Ditch to reroute it for a single-family subdivision. No objections received. Board approved the vacation.
• Mark Norman Obstruction: Update deferred pending response from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• Ditch Claims: 13 claims totaling $17,908.23 approved.
• Other: Pigeon Creek Watershed Development Commission meeting set for August 24; encroachment agreement for 2712 Willow Creek Drive still under negotiation.

Key Outcomes

• All action items under Engineer, Sheriff, Health Department, Resolutions, and the Consent Calendar were approved unanimously.
• Parking ordinance (CO.05-26-011) rejected by a 2-1 vote; returns to APC for reconsideration within 45 days.
• Vacation ordinance (CO.V-08-26-006) approved on final reading.
• Cold Ditch vacation approved.
• Ditch claims totaling $17,908.23 approved.
• The county will attend a data center forum; a community committee will be formed with recommendations expected by the next meeting on August 25, 2026.
• The Mark Norman obstruction issue remains pending.