County eyes $1M as INDOT changes funding rules

Wayne County will pursue $1 million in Community Crossings funding for bridge and road projects.

This fall is the final call before the Indiana Department of Transportation funding model changes, reducing Community Crossings funds and distributing funds based on lane miles of road. That change was the impetus behind Wayne County Council voting to implement local option highway user taxes beginning in 2026, because the LOHUTs are required for eligibility to receive lane-mile funds.

Brandon Sanders, the county’s engineer, told the county commissioners Sept. 10 that a Gravel Pit Road bridge planned for deck and superstructure replacement has fallen to a poor rating. The project is estimated to cost $1.2 million, meaning the county can apply for $600,000 from the state’s competitive grant process.

Mike Sharp, the county highway supervisor, said he would apply for another $400,000 in Community Crossings funds to reach the allowable maximum. That also would require the county to match the money.

Commissioners agreed the county should pursue the maximum funding. 

Insurance premiums

Some county employees will pay a 5% increase on their 2026 health insurance premiums next year after a unanimous commissioners vote.

After several years without premium increases, commissioners chose to increase Plan A premiums 5%, but not to increase Plan B premiums. The county has incentivized employees to select Plan B, which is a higher-deductible plan eligible for a health savings account, by contributing to the health savings accounts.

Commissioners hope that wage increases will more than cover the premium increase if employees remain with Plan A. Council has yet to discuss 2026 wage increases when considering the 2026 budget.

Drainage board

Surveyor Gordon Moore presented the drainage board, which is composed of the county commissioners, with the as-built drainage system for Midway Livestock Auction’s new facility on U.S. 27 north of Fountain City.

A planned detention pond that would generally remain dry was changed to a retention pond that will always have water since the drainage board approved the site’s drainage plans. Moore said the pond has enough capacity to handle water runoff from the current hard surfaces and from future hard surfaces.

Board members approved the drainage 3-0.

Other issues

• Commissioners unanimously approved interlocal agreements with four towns regarding electronic speed signs that the county purchased through the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program. Signs placed at Fountain City, Economy, Boston and Whitewater would be given to those communities, which would then provide maintenance.
• A plan to correct bollards installed outside the courthouse’s east entrance was approved 3-0. Bollards installed are not the style commissioners selected and are not properly spaced. Two additional bollards will be installed and the five already placed will be covered by new, larger bollards at no cost to the county.
• A change order for $17,090 to a contract with Smarrelli General Contractor was unanimously approved. The increase involves fencing around transformers north of the courthouse. Because of underground wiring, the fence posts will be mounted in a pad rather than the ground, and three gates are wider than originally planned.
• Michele Padgette, the county’s veterans service officer, reported that the emergency fund received a $1,663 donation from Needler’s Fresh Market and a $420 donation from Cronin Toyota. She said those funds will be helpful as winter approaches because she expects more need during that season.
• Commissioners unanimously approved Sheriff Randy Retter’s request to donate a 2019 Dodge Charger with 130,000 miles to the Union County Sheriff’s Office. The vehicle is in the best shape of four pulled from Wayne County service. The other three will be sold through an online auction.