Wayne County received nearly $2.3 million in interest earned from bank accounts and investments during 2025.
Treasurer Beth Fields reported the $2,299,923.88 income Jan. 21 to the county’s Board of Finance, which is composed of the three county commissioners. Six bank accounts earned $1,590,204.47 in interest, while certificate of deposit and bond investment interest totaled $709,719.41.
The money adds to five county accounts. The general fund received $2,035,314.57, the Consolidated EDIT fund received $190,653, the 911 fund received $45,230.72, the revolving loan fund received $16,797.58 and the GIS interlocal fund received $11,927.92.
Fields said she focused more on purchasing certificates of deposit during her first year as treasurer. A change in how CD interest is reported left about $80,000 off the report. CD interest is now not included until the CD matures.
During 2024, the county earned $2,765,104.38, which is $465,180.50 more than 2025. Fields attributed part of the decrease to lower interest rates, while board member Jeff Plasterer noted that continued spending from the county’s $12.7 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation significantly impacted the earnings.
Fields said a $1.5 million bond matures Feb. 10, and she expects to find a better interest rate for that money.
Bridge projects
When commissioners began their regular Jan. 21 meeting, they awarded the contract for the Gravel Pit road bridge project to Brumbaugh Construction of Arcanum, Ohio. Of three bidders, Brumbaugh bid $1,085,000, and Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, recommended accepting it as the lowest and most responsive bid.
The project will receive 50% funding from the state’s Community Crossings program.
Commissioners also approved a $154,000 consultant contract with Butler Fairman and Seufert of Indianapolis for construction inspection during the Mulberry Street bridge project in Cambridge City.
Commissioners accepted an $8,900 quote from C-Tech of Boggstown to fabricate a replacement panel for the safety fence on the G Street Bridge in Richmond. The panel was cut away during a recent rescue operation, and safety concerns led commissioners to expedite the panel’s replacement.
Cell monitoring
Major Alan Moore of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office presented commissioners with a proposal for a jail cell monitoring system.
A camera monitors an inmate for vital signs, Moore said. The department requested five cameras that would be put in five select cells, most likely for inmates on suicide watch. Moore said other agencies use the system, so although new, it’s proven technology.
The five cameras cost $27,500, and four years of software maintenance costs $20,000. The department would pay the $47,500 from its budgeted funds.
Commissioners approved the purchase.
“It’s a pretty inexpensive cost to save a life,” Plasterer said.
Other actions
- Commissioners approved a vehicle assignment for Mike Sharp, the county’s highway supervisor.
- Three contracts were approved for new highway department employees to earn their commercial driver’s licenses. If they leave the county within two years of receiving the CDLs, they would reimburse the county for their training on a sliding scale.
- The resolution permitting donation of a 2019 Dodge Durango, which had been removed from the sheriff’s department fleet, to Milton Police Department was approved.
- Minimum bids for the April 16 certificate auction will be $100 for vacant parcels and $500 for parcels with buildings. Commissioners set the minimums the same as those during previous deed sales.
A version of this article appeared in the January 28 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.