Whitewater Gorge activation work has begun at the Test Road trail head, but two more phases remain in the complicated and expensive project.
To help with the upcoming phases, Richmond Parks and Recreation Department asked Richmond Common Council on Aug. 18 to consider an alternative method to engage a contractor. The ordinance would enable all city departments to use a build-operate-transfer method to select a contractor based on qualifications, rather than on a low bid.
Under the BOT method, a department would issue a request for proposals and qualifications, then it would select a contractor based on qualifications to assist with design, construction, operation, management, maintenance or financing of public facilities paid for with public funds. The method brings the contractor into the project earlier and enables negotiations for scope, schedule and fee.
Currently, the city uses the design-bid-build method from Indiana code.
With the Gorge activation, the large project scope led the parks department to identify the BOT method as a viable alternative. The second phase includes a kayak launch at Weir Dam overlook and fishing pier. The third phase includes a nature playground, river walk, signage, and the zip line and canopy tour. An amphitheater and tree houses are still to be determined.
Justin Burkhardt, chair of council’s finance committee, said the committee still had questions about transparency and council control with the BOT method, and the ordinance was held.
Meeting information
Lindsay Darnell, the city’s community development coordinator, addressed council about her efforts to update the boards and commissions pages on the city website at richmondindiana.gov/boards-commissions.
Council members had noted that in many instances the information was inaccurate. Darnell showed council the pages that include members, how they were appointed and their terms.
The website issue was brought up when council was asked to consider an ordinance changing how meeting agendas and minutes would be made available to the public, including on the website. During the meeting, council amended the ordinance to have commission and board secretaries electronically provide the clerk’s office with meeting minutes within five days of approval.
Council then approved the ordinance that also requires secretaries of all boards and commissions post agendas near the meeting room, into a document database and on the website at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Fire merit commission
Richmond Fire Department Chief Jeff Kinder introduced an ordinance that would establish a merit commission.
State law now requires a merit commission, and an ordinance was put before council last year. It was defeated, however, at the firefighter union’s request so more time was available to establish the merit system.
The merit commission would oversee hiring, promotions and discipline within the fire department. Those are now under the Board of Public Works and Safety.
The ordinance was assigned to council’s safety committee.
Other issues
- Council approved a resolution that enables Controller Tracy McGinnis to invest in certificates of deposit. McGinnis said the city currently has eight CDs worth $16,920,403.98.
- Mayor Ron Oler said the city will see how much money it receives from any local option highway user taxes enacted by Wayne County government before deciding if it will pursue a city LOHUT. By implementing the LOHUT taxes, the city would receive that money and be eligible for state funding based on its 296 lane miles of roads.
A version of this article appeared in the August 27 2025 print edition of the Western Wayne News.