Jeff Plasterer will continue as president of the Wayne County Board of Commissioners for a third year.
New District 2 commissioner Aaron Roberts nominated Plasterer to remain president during the first meeting of the year Jan. 2. Plasterer took over as president when Brad Dwenger replaced the previous president, Ken Paust, on the board beginning in 2023.
Dwenger, who attended the meeting virtually, will continue as the board’s vice president.
Roberts replaces Mary Anne Butters, who did not seek a fourth term, as a commissioner. He was elected last year and has been attending meetings throughout his campaign and after his election.
Plasterer welcomed Roberts to the group, which oversees the operations, infrastructure and services of county government.
“It’s nice to have you on board, and I’m looking forward to working with you the next four years,” said Plasterer, who was unopposed last year for a second term as the District 3 commissioner.
Contract approvals
County attorney Ron Cross presented a contract for continued legal services. The contract with his firm Boston Bever Forrest Cross & Sickmann is for $90,000.
That figure does not include the county’s health department, which will have its own contract with the firm. Cross began assisting the health department during 2020, and another member of his firm, Christopher Armour, has been working with the health department, as well.
Commissioners had previously approved a contract with HELP the Animals to accept county animal placements. Plasterer and Roberts visited the West Main Street shelter Jan. 2 to deliver them the contract that calls for $200 per dog placed plus $100 for placed animals that require spaying or neutering prior to adoption.
“They’re very happy with the way things are going and with the contract,” Plasterer said about HELP the Animals.
Cambridge City has agreed to continue participation in the countywide consolidated EDIT program, contributing half of its economic development income tax dollars for the next four years. Consolidated EDIT provides the operating budget for the Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County and funds EDC projects.
Commissioners approved the unit contribution agreement, which had also been approved by Wayne County Council during its Jan. 2 meeting.
An amended contract with Kleinpeter Consulting Group was also approved by commissioners. The $100,000 contract covers consulting services provided to Cambridge City and Dublin as they received Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs grants.
American Rescue Plan Act money pays for the contract. The amendment reallocates some of the money, assigning $4,000 to an income survey for Dublin and $1,000 to costs associated with rebidding processes.
A version of this article appeared in the January 8 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.