On the agenda: Pike County Commissioners Meeting Minutes 7/13/2026, approved 8/3/2026 — Data Center (Jul 13)

PIKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 13, 2026 @ 8:30 am
Mark Flint
Jeff Nelson
Ryan Coleman

1, CALL MEETING TO ORDER

Mark Flint, President of the BOC called the meeting to order. All Commissioners were present
plus County Attorney Val Fleig, Auditor Judith Gumbel, and County Administrator Kristi
Dischinger. Others present included Highway Superintendent Josh Byrd, Susan Smith, Michael
Smith, Sue Norrick, Melanie Mosby, Rebekah Freeland, Highway Office Manager Melanie
Britton, EMS Director Chris Young, Shirley VanMeter, Norman Dillon, Health Department Office
Manager Natalie Byrd, Sheriff Jason McKinney, Chief Deputy Auditor Audra Warner, County
Auditor Misty Coleman, County Extension Director Brooke Goble, Chamber of Commerce
Director Jill Hyneman, Stephanie Reis, and Press-Dispatch Editor Sherre Griffin.

2. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES JUNE 15, 2026

President Flint asked if there were additions or corrections to the minutes. Hearing none, he
called for a motion to approve the minutes. Motion was made by Commissioner Ryan Coleman
and seconded by Commissioner Jeff Nelson. Motion carried 3-0.

3. APPROVAL OF CLAIMS FOR JULY 16, 2026

President Flint asked if there were any questions regarding claims. Commissioner Nelson
seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to approve claims. Motion carried 6 - 0.

4, OLD BUSINESS
a. Fuel Agreement - Tabled
b. Notice of Substantial Completion, Tuckpointing
County Administrator Kristi Dischinger reviewed the Certificate of Substantial
Completion, dated 5/22/26, regarding Contractor Bramwell-McKay Masonry
Restoration’s work on the County’s Tuckpointing project. Ms. Dischinger stated that the
County has a retainage account for the remainder of the work for the monument, and

sidewalks there are not finished.

c. Permanent Part Time

This discussion was tabled. Administrator Dischinger stated that she would like to have
specific changes to place in the employee handbook.

5. NEW BUSINESS

a. Resolution for Insurance for Referee

Melanie Mosby, Circuit Court Reporter, represented Circuit Court Judge Evan Beisterveld.
She explained that the Judge had been presiding over both the Circuit Court and the
Family/Juvenile/Small Claims Court. She read a letter from the Judge requesting that the
Commissioners agree to increasing this position to three days per week and working a
minimum of 1092 hours per year at the same wage ($67,591.95) of the most recent
person holding the position who worked two and a half days per week. However, he
requested that the position be eligible for County health insurance. It was stated that one
of the persons previously holding the position was granted insurance. He requested the
passage of County Commissioner Resolution 2026 — 06 authorizing Health Insurance
coverage for the Pike County Family/Juvenile/Small Claims Referee through the Central
States Health Insurance Plan. He requested that the individual hired be allowed to start
August 1, 2026 and that appropriations needed for the position to be paid insurance and
PERF be approved for the remainder of 2026 and 2027.

Commissioner Ryan Coleman seconded by Commissioner Jeff Nelson motioned to
approve Resolution 2026-06. Motion carried 3 - 0.

i. Additional Appropriation PERF & Group Insurance

b. Recorder’s Office Contract
County Recorder Misty Coleman explained that former Recorder Jeff Harting purchased
a used Cannon Bookeye scanner in 2019. It was at the time “the best of the best”. It
enabled the County to scan some records and complete some digitizing that we had
been unable to do. However, it is near “life end”. It went down in April and was down
for two weeks. It is the only machine in the Recorder’s Office that can scan surveys.
Also, the company that provided service for the machine is going out of business.

Ms. Coleman recommended the acquisition of an HP DesignJet XL 3800. It can be
purchased outright at approximately $17,800 or it can be placed on a 5-year contract at
$404/month all inclusive with a one-time setup fee of $549. The monthly fee includes,
paper, ink, maintenance, service, training. If it is purchased rather than contracted,
after the purchase the County would have to buy the items just mentioned.

She stated that if the contract is approved the cost will be worked into the 2027 budget.
She is recommending that it be paid out of the Recorder’s Enhanced Fee Fund 1154.

Commissioner Nelson seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to approve the
contract for the monthly payment. Motion carried 3 - 0.

c. Highway Transfer

Highway Office Manager stated that they needed to purchase three chainsaws. The
request was to transfer $2,400 from 1173 (later corrected to 1176) 30601-0533,
equipment rental to 1176-20810-0531, Hardware and Tools. Commissioner Coleman
seconded by Commissioner Nelson motioned to approved the transfer. Motion carried
3-0.

d Highway Additional

This request is to use money from salvage that has been sold toward the purchase of a
pickup truck. The intent had been to purchase two trucks out of the 2027 budget, but
this is a good deal. The Additional would be $5,775 from Fund 9103 — Non MVH Road
Fund into 9103-40610-0533, Equipment. Commissioner Nelson seconded by
Commissioner Coleman motioned to approve the Additional request. Motion carried
3-0.

e. EMS Transfers X2

EMS Director Chris Young stated that the transfer from Paramedic to Professional
Services was a companion to the one approved last month. It is the 2" bill from Malcon.
The company changed hands and the Pike County work was lost in the shuffle. This will
completely catch the County up with Malcon. It is for the 2024 ambulance runs.
Hopefully, it can now be done on an annual basis.

$10,000 from 1170-10320-0000 Paramedic to 1170-30230-0000 Professional Services.

The 2” transfer was for $500 to cover a Visa bill that was due.

$500 From 1170-30670-0000, Maintenance Contracts to 1170-30230-0000 Professional
Services.

Commissioner Coleman seconded by Commissioner Nelson motioned to approve both
transfers. Motion carried 3 - 0.

f. Covered Bridge Certification-Auditor
Auditor Gumbel explained that the County no longer has any covered bridges.

However, the Commissioners are required to make an annual certification stating that
we have none.

Commissioner Nelson seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to approve the
certification. Motion carried 3 - 0.

6. BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS
a. Courthouse Matron Resignation, new Hire Recommendation
County Administrator Kristi Dischinger stated that Lona Maharrey had resigned from her
position as Courthouse Matron. This was after twenty-one years of service. She

recommended that the Commissioners hire Sarah Frazier.

Commissioner Nelson seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to accept Lona’s
resignation and to hire Sarah Frazier. Motion passed 6 — 0.

b. Commissioner Transfers, Winslow phone & hardware software maintenance

There were three transfers of $800:

$800 from 1000-30150-0068, Cellphone to 1000-30140-0068, Telephone

$800 from 1000-30740-0068, Memorial Day to 1000-30520-0068 Hardware/Software
Maintenance

$800 from 1000-30441-0068, Solid Waste Disposal to 1000-30520-0068,
Hardware/Software Maintenance

Commissioner Coleman seconded by Commissioner Nelson motioned to approve the
transfers. Motion carried 3-0.

NOC Form, 409 Main Street Property
County Administrator Kristi Dischinger explained that this was needed for the City of
Petersburg’s Right of Way for what was John’s Standard.

Commissioner Nelson seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to approve the
document. Motion carried 3 - 0.

Highway Report

Highway Superintendent Josh Byrd shared that two culverts were lost at Williams
Cemetery. Highway had to do extensive work on the reconstruction of the road bank.

Gibson County has begun a solar panel project, and the project folks have been using
Pike County roads. Josh has been in communication with Matt Holder, Gibson County
Highway Superintendent. The roads will be bonded.

Crew is trying to get caught up on the mowing. They are also working on an Interlocal
agreement with Spurgeon and Pride’s Creek for some work that needs to be done.

Mr. Byrd said that he received some questions about the High Water Road signs. He
reminded everyone that these signs are $250 each. He said that they try to keep some
signs out permanently in areas that are highly susceptible to flooding.

Auditor Report
Settlement is complete.
County Administrator Report

Electric switches have been damaged in the Courthouse during the storms. VEI says that
three boxes behind the cameras are out. $745 each. They are for the office monitors.

Commissioner Nelson seconded by Commissioner Coleman motioned to take the action
necessary to get the monitors up and running. Motion passed 3 — 0.

Sheriff's Report

Sheriff McKinney stated that painting and lighting projects are almost complete in the
jail. He also shared that MRT and RISE programs are going strong.

Extension Report

CED Brooke Goble stated that the Pike County Fair is July 19 through July 26. The

office is moving to the fairgrounds and will return to the Courthouse on July 29". She
shared that the Supreme Showmanship and Premium Auction will be held Thursday
evening. She encouraged everyone to attend.

7. BUSINESS BY PUBLIC

Several people in the audience were still concerned about Data Centers.

a. Rebekah Freeland

Ms Freeland was interested in whether the Commissioners had visited any centers since
the last meeting. The answer was no. Her concern is that the County research and

do what is right to protect the citizens as much as possible. She said that she had

heard it said too many times, that nothing could be done to stop them because we
didn’t have zoning. She said that we could at least put some hurdles in place that would
make it difficult. She didn’t understand why a resolution was signed that the County
would consider a Data Center when no one had researched it. She was asked if she had
visited a Data Center.

President Flint stated that Farm Bureau was sponsoring a meeting on August 11" that
he planned to attend concerning Data Centers. He read the following statement.

"Over the past few weeks, there has been discussion about the resolution we
passed last September regarding data centers and all forms of energy
generation, including SMRs. I want to be very clear with our community
about what that resolution does-and what it does not do.

First, this resolution does not approve any project. No data center developer
has approached Pike County Commissioners. No company-has submitted a
proposal No site has-been selected: There is nothing under consideration
today from the commissioners.

What we did was simply state that Pike County is willing to evaluate modern
industries if they ever come forward. This is a standard step counties across
Indiana take to stay competitive. If we wait until a project shows up.-we’re
already behind. The resolution keeps ‘us in -the conversation without committing
us to anything.

Second, passing this resolution early actually increases transparency. We
want the public to know our posture before any developer comes to us. And
if a project ever does appear, it will go thmugh full public review, public
hearings, and-community input. Nothing will happen behind closed doors.

Finally, this resolution protects Pike County's ability to negotiate from a
position of strength. If a developer ever comes forward, we will be prepared to
evaluate infrastructure needs, tax structure., environmental protections, and
community benefits. Preparation gives us leverage( silence does not.

So the bottom line is simple: this was about readiness, not approval No
project exists. No commitments have been made. Pike County remains
fully in control of any future decision."

The commissioners verified that businesses are always looking, but no one

has approached the County about a Data Center in Pike County. Commissioner
Nelson stated that we were in the running for an Amazon warehouse, but that didn’t
materialize. It went to Knox County. But that wasn’t a Data Center.

b. Michael and Susan Smith

Michael and Susan are Spurgeon area residents. They presented the Commissioners
with a folder delineating the circumstances being discussed. The problem is a neighbor
who is causing a disturbance with loud music late into the evening. She asked the
Commissioners to consider establishing a noise ordinance and gave them the Warrick
County Ordinance as an example.

The Commissioners thanked them for being so organized and stated that it would be
considered.

c. Sue Norrick — Williams Cemetery
She was present to publicly thank Highway Superintendent Josh Byrd and the County
for helping the cemetery with their emergency. She stated that some monuments are
very close to the bank. She said that all of the rain had really threatened them.

8. ADJOURNMENT

With no further business to come before the Commissioners, President Flint called for a motion
to adjourn. Motion was made by Commissioner Coleman and seconded by Commissioner

Nelson. Motion carried 3 -0. “yi |
KL CAA

Mark Flint, (Lil. Ri nyoleman, Vice-President J Nelson, Member

8-3-4

Judith Gumbel, Auditor Date