Staff report
The Whitley County Commissioners tackled a variety of agenda items during their October 7 meeting, including a road vacation request, updates on veteran services, and addressing concerns related to the upcoming election.
The commissioners first addressed a petition to vacate a portion of the right-of-way on Linker Road, where the existing road deviates from the planned route. County Engineer Brad Allen explained to the commissioners that “the road no longer follows the planned right-of-way.”
The attorney representing the petitioners clarified that the unused portion of the right-of-way is “not following the platted right-of-way,” and it is only used by some drivers “who just need to curve off of Linker a little bit.” After a public hearing, the commissioners voted to approve ordinance 2024-12, vacating the specified section of the right-of-way.
Veteran Services Update
Josh Smith, the Whitley County Veteran Service Officer, presented an update to the commissioners on the activities of his office. Since assuming the position on April 1st, Smith reported that his office has “talked to and met with approximately 200 veterans”
regarding various needs, from filing claims for disability benefits and survivor pensions to providing answers to general questions.
Smith expressed satisfaction with the increased traffic to his office, stating, “There’s been a lot of walk-ins lately, which I think is a good thing.” He noted that veterans now recognize the office as a consistent resource, saying, “Now that the the office has shown that it is open full time people [are thinking] ‘Hey I’ve seen the door open I just want to swing and say Hey or I got a question.'”
Smith also detailed his participation in community events aimed at connecting with veterans and raising awareness of available services. These events included an American Legion meeting, a Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home event and a fundraiser for the Honor Flight program held during a Columbia City High School soccer game.
Future plans for the Veteran Service Office include potential involvement in Veterans Day events in November, participation in the Wreaths Across America ceremony in December, and exploring the possibility of relocating to the first floor of the building to enhance accessibility for veterans with mobility limitations.
Julie Jensen praised Smith’s work with the veteran community, stating, “Josh has been a tremendous asset to the veterans treatment court. I can’t say enough good things about what he’s added to that team.”
Election Preparations and a Financial Quandary
County Clerk Cindy Doolittle brought two issues to the commissioners’ attention, the first being an unforeseen challenge related to an upcoming election polling location. Due to a last-minute notification that the initially designated polling place was no longer available, Doolittle and her team searched for a suitable replacement and ultimately landed on Thorncreek Fire Station.
Acknowledging the potential for voter frustration with the location change, Doolittle admitted, “I have a feeling we’re probably going to get a lot of angry voters, but there was nothing we could do about it.”To minimize voter confusion, Doolittle outlined a multi-pronged communication strategy that includes mailing postcards to affected voters, publishing the change in the local newspaper and disseminating information through social media channels.
Doolittle also sought guidance from the commissioners regarding a financial issue resulting from a wage garnishment case in 2022. Due to an error listing the incorrect attorney on the case, approximately $313 was sent to an unnamed attorney’s office in Illinois.
Despite persistent efforts to rectify the situation for nearly a year, Doolittle reported, “The attorney from Illinois will not return the funds.”
She expressed her intention to consult with the County Attorney and requested approval to use funds from her budget to settle the matter. The commissioners voiced their support for Doolittle’s proposed solution.
Other Business and Public Comment
In addition to the road vacation, veteran services update, and election matters, the commissioners addressed a range of other agenda items, including:
● Approval of an annual bid notice for the 2025 Highway Department projects.
● Approval of an ordinance to establish an Addictions Recovery Court and acceptance of the associated grant funding.
● Approval of a contract with Engineering Resources Incorporated for the design work to replace Bridge 51.
● Approval of a one-lot plat named Lee Acres located off Anderson Road.
● Approval of a subgrant agreement with the Regional Sewer District using ARPA funds.
● Approval of a five-year contract renewal with 4OS.
● Approval of a proposed agreement with Micropulse for road improvements related to their business expansion.
● Approval of facility use requests for events such as the Veterans Marathon and the Whitley County Community Christmas Celebration.
● Approval of payroll and accounts payable claims.
● Approval of the minutes from the previous meeting.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, a community member raised concerns about potential road closures associated with the Veterans Marathon, scheduled for November 1 and November 2, which coincides with early voting for the upcoming election. The commissioners assured her they would collaborate with event organizers to find a compromise ensuring accessibility for both voters and marathon participants.
In closing, County Attorney Andy Boxberger presented the commissioners with a newly drafted ordinance and policy concerning contract execution requirements, driven by recent changes in state statutes.