Wayne County’s Board of Commissioners has reached an agreement with Whitewater Community Television to pay the public access station to livestream, record and archive county meetings to satisfy the requirements of a new law.
The county and WCTV negotiated a $5,000 monthly fee for WCTV to stream, record and archive all county meetings covered by a state law that took effect July 1. That makes the total cost $30,000 for the remainder of 2025, when the partnership will be evaluated. WCTV had proposed a $250-per-hour cost.
A memorandum of understanding was approved at the July 2 commissioners meeting.
Commissioner Jeff Plasterer told County Council that WCTV also agrees to record and make available to the community other selected meetings and events that do not fall under the streaming requirement. Council voted its approval of the agreement’s concept.
The county pledged WCTV $25,000 this year from franchise fees it collects and has paid just $12,500. The remaining $12,500 will be used to offset the $30,000 cost, leaving the county to find $17,500 to complete the agreement.
The council meeting, which includes the finance and personnel committee meetings, and commissioners meeting are both available for view on WCTV’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/WCTV112021.
Bridge projects
Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, received commissioner approval for a four-year bridge inspection contract with Butler, Fairman & Seufert for $683,132. The Indiana Department of Transportation pays 80% of the cost, leaving the county’s share at $136,626.40.
Associated with that, commissioners approved Resolution Group and USI Consultants as subcontractors for that contract.
Sanders also presented a $2,373.12 change order for the South G Street bridge project because a beam bracket needed modification. Commissioners approved the additional cost.
Grant application
Dan Burk, director of the Wayne County Health Department, received permission first from Wayne County Council during its morning meeting then from commissioners in the afternoon to pursue a fetal infant mortality review grant from the state department of health.
The two-year, reimbursable grant pays for a full-time and a part-time position to review fetal and infant deaths and enact prevention programs.
The council and commissioners’ approvals are contingent upon the county health board approving the application during its August meeting.
Public hearing
Commissioners will conduct a public hearing at 8:30 a.m. July 23 on resolutions to vacate undeveloped alleys and roads in Williamsburg and Jacksonburg.
The Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission voted June 26 to recommend that the commissioners approve the county’s vacation of the requested alleys and road.
Other actions
- Commissioners approved amendments to financial documents concerning bonds issued by Sugar Creek Packing. There is no financial impact for the county.
- Bid documents prepared by LWC Inc. for the courthouse elevator project were approved by commissioners. The bid opening will be Aug. 13.
- Commissioners approved releasing most of the remaining funds to Carroll Electric for installing a new backup generator for the Wayne County Administration Building. The county is making a $16,871.50 claim because the failure of a portable generator used during installation caused damages. It will withhold that money and 200% of two items that remain on the punch list. The project’s total cost is $285,474.
A version of this article will appear in the July 9 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.