County Council accepts $1.2 million READI grant, limits scope on highway garage audit
The Washington County Council and Commissioners met in a joint session earlier this week on August 3 and covered topics like Purdue Extension program updates, a formal acceptance of a $1.2 million READI 2.0 grant for the new 4-H building at the fairgrounds and a decision to narrow the scope of the independent audit of the Highway Garage project.
Council President Brad Gilbert called the meeting to order. Commissioner Todd Ewen, acting in the absence of President Phillip Marshall, called the commissioners to order. Ewen reported that his absence is due to Marshall having suffered a mild stroke.
“He’s going to be out of service for probably about a week. He’s going to be going to rehab today and he’s doing well. His mind’s clear,” Ewen said, asking the public to keep Marshall in their prayers.
Before commencing with the meeting, the council amended the previous meeting’s minutes to correct the name of an attorney that was discussed. The council approved the correction of “Jennifer Peters” to “Heather Peters.” The amended minutes were then approved.
Next, Taylor Chastain and Danielle Walker from Purdue Extension approached to provide updates on the work they are involved in.
Chastain began by thanking the commissioners for repairing the sewer system at the fairgrounds before the fair. “This is the first time in my four fairs as the 4-H educator that I didn’t have to deal with any sewer backing up in my workspace,” she said. “It was a much needed improvement.”
She reported that Purdue Extension 4-H reached 591 Washington County youth over the past year, supported by 100 volunteers. The livestock auction returned $232,965 directly to Washington County youth, and the Stock the Trailer campaign collected nearly 1,800 pounds of food, and two hogs, for the Washington County Food Bank.
“None of this happens without the partnership of our county, the volunteers, sponsors, families and a community that believes in investing in young people,” Chastain added.
Additional figures included 466 enrolled 4-H members, in-classroom programs in all three elementary schools, more than 200 youth in specialized workshops, 35 youth sent to 4-H camp, and 32 members in the safe shooting sports program. The county hosted the Area 2 tractor operator contest, with five local members qualifying for the Indiana State Fair contest.
At the county fair, 4-H members exhibited 106 cattle, 182 sheep and goats, 126 swine, 235 rabbits and poultry, and 535 building projects, including 151 mini projects. Thirty-nine mini 4-H members participated in showmanship. Chastain noted that after the meeting, nearly 100 Washington County projects would head to the Indiana State Fair.
“At the end of the day, these aren’t just numbers,” she said. “They represent young people learning responsibility, leadership, agriculture, science, financial literacy, and the importance of giving back to their communities.”
Danielle Walker focused on 4-H and bull breeding. She described barn quilt creation workshops funded by a $5,000 Indiana Arts Commission grant. Three adult workshops were held, along with youth and in-school sessions. The program has developed a waiting list; 19 adults participated in the first non-grant-funded workshop in July. Eight barn quilts were exhibited in open class and 10 as 4-H projects at the fair.
She then detailed the annual bull breeding soundness evaluation, a 30-year partnership with the Washington County Cattlemen’s Association and Springville Veterinary Service. Walker noted that Washington County is the top beef cow-calf county in Indiana, with approximately 9,200 beef cows and 395 farms.
“Studies from multiple universities showed that 10% of bulls fail their breeding soundness exam. And we have found that every year here in Washington County, we’ve never had less than 10% fail,” she said. By identifying subfertile bulls, the program has produced estimated savings of $690,000 in avoided calf losses and another $115,000 saved related to “raising or keeping open cows in the herd.”
Angie Buchanan, working with the Regional Development Authority and River Hills, presented formal approval of a $1.2 million gift from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation under READI 2.0 for construction of a new community and 4-H building at the fairgrounds.
She explained that the 77-page contract is largely standard IEDC language. Once signed, the county must show immediate progress and submit monthly reports. Funds must be fully expended by December 31, 2028. The local goal is completion in time for the 2027 fair.
“We will be operating under a very, very tight timeline to get this project completed,” Buchanan said.
The proposed schedule includes finalizing design, issuing an RFP that includes demolition of the existing building, a 15-business-day bid window, review with assistance from HWC Engineering, permits and asbestos testing, demolition targeted for late October, and construction running from late November into early June.
Commissioner Tony Cardwell raised concerns about the aggressiveness of the schedule. “I have a concern that it can actually go through the proper procedures and be done by fair next year… that’s pushing a project pretty hard down the road… That’s like gambling there.”
Buchanan acknowledged the timeline is tight but said the state requires demonstrated progress and will not allow extended delays. Discussion also covered the need for a possible public hearing related to demolition, which will be confirmed with counsel and added if required.
Election Administrator Stephanie Rockey raised a question regarding the impact on the November general election polling location currently housed in the building scheduled for demolition. She said she can relocate voters if given adequate notice and noted her publication deadline falls in late October. Council members committed to keeping her informed as the schedule is finalized.
Council members confirmed they want representation on the bid-review committee even though it is not legally required for a public-works project. Buchanan stated the review committee will include council members, HWC Engineering, and others.
The council had previously indicated conceptual support in February 2025 for up to $300,000 in local funds to demonstrate community commitment. No fixed amount will be requested until bids are in and any remaining gap is known.
Commissioners then approved a motion to sign the contract and accept the $1.2 million grant.
Fair Board President Tom Day later described the existing 4-H building as roughly 65 years old. “It’s lived its life,” he said, noting that the original bathrooms are no longer functional and are used only for storage.
Day then reported that the 2026 fair finished in the black. The board has reached an agreement, being finalized with county counsel, to lease the dirt track to Brent Harmon, owner of Salem Speedway, for the remainder of 2026 and the following two years. Harmon has already invested approximately $36,000 in improvements, including a new PA system and additional lighting.
“We really believe that he’s one of those people who’s putting back in our community as much as he possibly can,” Day said.
Detailed revenue and expenditure reports will be provided at the budget hearing, which is set for August 25–27 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The meeting then pivoted to the independent audit of the Highway Garage project.
Councilman Mark Abbott made a motion to limit the independent review of the county highway garage project to a facility inspection only, rather than a full second financial audit. He proposed using the $37,500 previously appropriated for the work.
“This will address some taxpayer concerns of spending money twice on an audit that was already completed by the State Board of Accounts and provide a cost savings to the taxpayer by not using all the appropriated funds and just do an inspection,” Abbott said.
The motion opened extended debate.
Councilwoman Karen Wischmeier said she had identified two additional attorneys willing to meet with the council, possibly in executive session. She noted that the State Board of Accounts found noncompliance issues but stated it cannot pursue criminal matters, and that proper legal advice was still needed.
It was also mentioned that a second full audit would be redundant. “In my opinion that the second audit would be redundant and would be a waste of taxpayer dollars,” Councilman Todd Armstrong said. “I think an inspection to make sure we are getting what we paid for… is absolutely needed. That’s what being responsible is, and that’s the way I think we need to go.”
Councilman Andrew Davisson said he was “ashamed to be a part of this council” and called the overall situation a disaster, urging a stronger focus on taxpayers and cost savings heading into budget season.
“I don’t think any of us are doing justice to the taxpayers right now,” Davisson said.
Davisson’s comments sparked a brief argument with Commissioner Ewen and Councilman Gerald Fleming. They both told Davisson, “We’ve been doing that for the last 12 years” in regard to focusing on the taxpayer and trying to save money. “I don’t know where you’ve been,” Ewen said to Davisson.
Davisson told Ewen and Fleming that they should be ashamed to be on the Board of Commissioners and the County Council, and he added that, “this whole thing is a shitshow.”
Fleming responded that he was not ashamed of his record and that seven independent votes exist for a reason. “That is one council seat’s opinion,” he said, referring to Davisson. “And thank heaven there are seven seats.”
After discussion, the motion to limit the scope to a facility inspection only passed 5-2.
In favor of limiting the scope were Brad Gilbert, Todd Armstrong, Gerald Fleming, Andrew Davisson, and Mark Abbott.
Opposed were Preston Shell and Karen Wischmeier.
Because the scope was narrowed, the council determined it no longer needed to pursue additional attorneys specifically for the independent audit process.
Following this decision, the meeting was adjourned.
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