Purchasing salt for roads this winter will look different for Wayne County Highway Department’s Mike Sharp. In the past, Sharp purchased from vendors via INDOT’s bidding process. But with no bids submitted this year, commissioners approved his request to find quotes independently.
Plasterer asked how other road projects are being handled without gas tax revenue. Indiana Governor Mike Braun suspended collecting the gas tax in April given the rise in fuel prices. Commissioners President Jeff Plasterer suggested possibly supplementing those losses in the future from other sources.
Emergency Management Agency Director Matthew Cain received permission to proceed with the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Program grant and requested hotel rate funding for a supervisor to attend a certification program July 13-16 in Noblesville.
Attorney Ron Cross acquired signatures for three tax certificate sales and will give documents to the county auditor. He reported a lot sale between two Richmond churches could proceed without further involvement, and that an unsafe North 16th building required the Economic Development Corporation and the City of Richmond to sort out through a tax sale or as part of a program to address blighted homes.
Cross said a referendum regarding prayer in legislative meetings will be reviewed, and that regular publication of sheriff sale notices may be moved from Western Wayne News to the Palladium-Item.
Council is awaiting repair reports on the former Well Care building. All claims were approved.
It was determined that in future months, the commissioners’ first meeting of each month will start at 9:30 a.m. or immediately following the Wayne County Council’s meeting. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m. There will be no meeting on July 22.
A version of this article appeared in the July 8 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
