Dubois County Commissioners Meeting Focused on Community Safety Concerns

The Dubois County Board of Commissioners attracted a crowd as they discussed regular business and opened the floor on AES battery storage and the Mid-States Corridor. 

Local residents filled the Courthouse Monday morning, appearing in force to discuss concerns regarding AES battery safety related to the Crossvine Solar project. They requested a pause on the project until safety concerns could be researched and asked questions about current regulations. Available answers were provided, and the Commissioners will review the request. 

Commissioner Chad Blessinger opened a discussion on the Mid-States Corridor, inviting comments or questions. He has been to multiple meetings and town halls and said public comments were requests by November 5 from the Advisory Team. Blessinger provided a summary of the information he has and some of his concerns, as well as some answers he has received, and invited the public to reach out to him with questions that he can relay to representatives. 

In his report, County Highway Superintendent Donnie Lueken said that an alternate site for the Holland dumpster site has not yet been identified, but the lease can be extended through March. Sanitation sites will be closed on November 11 for Veteran’s Day and November 27 for Thanksgiving. Rejuvtec road rehabilitation work begins this week, weather permitting. Affected roads are listed on the Dubois County Government Facebook page. 

County Highway Engineer Levi Leffert provided an update on the county’s paving projects. Calcar has completed paving on 580 North and plan to finish their work on Dubois Cuzco Road by the end of the week. Old Petersburg Road and 490 West are slated for completion next week, which will conclude the 2025 paving projects. Leffert also noted that new signs are up for a speed limit reduction from 45 mph to 35 mph on 490 West. 

In addition to the bridge repairs already in progress, significant work is planned for 2026. At Bridge 21 on 200 West over Little Creek, there will be a full road closure for 6 weeks with no through traffic, including emergency vehicles. Work on Bridge 116 on County Road 820 East is planned for December, weather permitting. 

Over 1100 survey responses were received on the Comprehensive Plan. They will be evaluated this month to inform decisions moving forward. 

Operation Green Light is a nationwide initiative to recognize veterans. From November 4-11, counties across the country will illuminate their buildings in green, including the Dubois County Courthouse. 

In other business, A variance was requested to exclude an easement for the EDP Subdivision related to Duff Solar and is not a residential substation. The Commissioners tabled the request and will review the issue for discussion at the next meeting. County Recorder Jackie McPherron presented the Fidlar Contract, which was approved previously. A modified contract was approved, adding a notary fraud alert and an e-recording platform being developed by Laredo. 
 
The Commissioners approved the Reassessment Bid as presented by County Assessor Angie Giesler. 

HR Case Management was approved to transition Unified Care Connect. New costs were added, so the Commissioners approved a request to rescind the agreement and stay with Heinz Group, the current provider. The Commissioners also approved the County Council’s request to retain a consultant for a Wage and Benefits study. 

For more information on these and other updates, visit duboiscountyin.org/government


 - By Drew Hasselbring