Montgomery County Commissioners used the first meeting of the year to re-organize and welcomed newly-elected Jake Bohlander to the commission.
Commissioners were forced to move their regularly scheduled Monday meeting to Wednesday due to the inclement weather.
On Wednesday, Dan Guard was elected president and Jim Fulwider eas elected vice president.
Commissioners also approved the following department heads: Marc Bonwell, Building/Zoning Administrator; Jake Lough, Highway Director; Joe Ellis, Veterans Affairs Officer; Jim Wolf, Weights & Measures Officer; and Mike Davis, Mapping Director.
A full list of appointments also was approved. The majority of the board and commission seats were re-appointments of existing members.
The Section Corner Perpetuation contract for $53,300 was approved. Funds will come from the budgeted amount of $33,000 and the remaining amount will be paid from the county general fund.
Commissioners approved the annual agreement with the Animal Welfare League in the amount of $92,774.
A one-year contract with Purdue Extension Services in the amount of $132,680 was approved.
The annual notice to bidders submittal date was extended to 2 p.m. Feb. 7 to be opened at 8 a.m. Feb. 10.
The county will be purchasing two tandem trucks to help the county highway department in the amount of $432,104. The trucks are being purchased fro Stoops Freightliner and will outfitted by Clark Trucking.
The county will enter a five-year loan with the Indiana Bond Bank at a lending rate of 4.62%.
Lough said that only four trucks have been replaced since the 2016 fire that destroyed the highway department truck garage. His plan it to get back on track of replacing two trucks per year.
Commissioners approved the sale of the county’s bermer and ditcher to Hurricane Ditcher Company Inc. The equipment was purchased several years ago in hopes of improving the county roadside berms and ditches. However, it was found the equipment was not able to adequately be used in the type of soil in the county. The department has tried to sell the equipment for the past four years.
After no buyer was found, Lough said the county asked for bids. The sale price of $46,500 is short of the value of the equipment but after a lot of effort, Lough recommended the county sell them to the highest bidder.
Commissioners approved a resolution stating dates for 2025 meetings. The commission will continue to meet at 8 a.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Exceptions will be the second meeting in May will be May 27 and the first October meeting will be Oct. 14.
Montgomery County Sheriff Ryan Needham’s salary was set at $121,691 by resolution.
