Wayne County commissioners approved bids, heard about fairgrounds weather damage and wrapped up several other items in their final meetings of 2025.
During a brief Dec. 30 meeting, county administrator Steve Higinbotham said that a tree at the Wayne County Fairgrounds was downed by high winds, breaking a light pole and downing electric lines. Electricity to camping spaces, the gazebo and a building used by 4-H was shut off awaiting repairs.
Higinbotham reported on a new agreement with Wilco Custom Electronics to install new cameras in the Wayne County Administration Building chambers, to be used by Whitewater Community Television to livestream and record county meetings. He also noted the installation of new light poles around the building.
Ron Cross, the county’s attorney, told commissioners he has prepared a draft resolution needed for the county to donate a Durango police vehicle to the Milton Police Department. He will also work on an interlocal agreement with Richmond for establishment of a nonprofit land bank.
Fuel, highway bids
During their Dec. 23 meeting, commissioners learned that county government’s gasoline and diesel, and some road repair supplies, could cost less in 2026.
They selected fixed fuel bids for the highway department of $2.24480/unleaded gas gallon and $2.9142/diesel gallon from Petroleum Traders of Fort Wayne. However, the price fluctuates until the contract is finalized.
For other county vehicles, commissioners approved Keystone Cooperative of Richmond’s quote for fixed pricing, which was then $2.5314/gallon for unleaded gas.
Wayne County contracted 60,000 gallons of gas at a fixed price in 2024 and then used flex pricing for additional gallons as needed (27,000 in 2024 and 13,769 so far in 2025). Market prices are usually lower at the end of the year. Commissioners favored contracting 67,000 in 2026.
Highway Supervisor Mike Sharp said Wayne County has saved more than $1 million during his tenure with fixed pricing. The exception was 2020 when gas prices tumbled during the pandemic, and that loss was about $15,000.
While fuel prices might continue decreasing in 2026, Commissioner Brad Dwenger agreed the fixed prices helps with budgeting and avoids gambling with taxpayers’ money.
Sharp recommended council accept all four bids for liquid asphalt from Asphalt Materials ($2.1960/gallon), Marathon Petroleum Co. ($2.21), K-Tech Specialty Coatings ($2.211) and Terry Asphalt Materials ($2.490) to offer more flexibility.
Commissioners also approved two bids for hot mix asphalt, one from Milestone for the county’s east side and R-Mix LLC for anything west of Centerville Road.
Stone/gravel bids were approved from IMI, US Aggregates and Barrett Paving Materials. Culvert pipe bids were approved from CivilCon, St. Regis and E3 Bridge so Sharp can see who has the best price when supplies are needed.
In other business
- Commissioners continue to plan for a courthouse elevator update. They want to meet with judges to discuss construction schedule expectations; if it’s restricted to evenings and weekends, they are concerned that no company might bid.
- Milton’s clerk-treasurer had submitted a request for automatic external defibrillators. Matthew Cain, Wayne County Emergency Management director, suggested referring Milton to grant sources instead of using opioid funds, but the request could return if other funding dries up.
- Commissioners renewed the county’s Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce membership for $966 based on the county’s number of employees plus a 10% contribution toward education initiatives such as School is Cool.
A version of this article appeared in the January 7 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.