County attorney announces resignation

March 07--GREENSBURG -- The Decatur County Board of Commissioners reluctantly approved the resignation of the county attorney Monday, who will step away from his duties as legal counsel for the executive body but will retain his private law practice.

Drew Young, who has served as county attorney since January 2015, formally tendered his resignation to the board during Monday's meeting, which was accepted unanimously by Board President Rick Nobbe and fellow Commissioners Jerome Buening and Mark Koors.

Young was lauded for his work

"Thanks for all you've done," Nobbe said, addressing Young directly. "You've been tremendous."

Buening said he appreciated the attorney's "attention to detail" and called Young "an asset to Decatur County."

"We're sad to have you leave," said Buening.

Young will remain in his position until the March 20 commissioners meeting and will stay on in a limited capacity until his replacement is found. Young said he will also help the next attorney learn the ropes of the job in order to ensure a smooth transition.

"I'll be staying until the new person is satisfied they are fully up to speed on every issue and every task," Young said.

The attorney told the Daily News he wants to focus on his health while continuing his more than four decades in law. He had kind words for those with whom he has worked in county government.

"This has been a wonderful adventure for me," he said. "The people -- I've got so many new friends, and everybody I have seen working for the government in the county is straight-forward, hard-working, and wanting the county to prosper and be better."

Young was hired shortly after the retirement of Peg Polanski, who had served as county attorney from 1988 to 2014. Young previously worked as a deputy prosecutor in his career but had not served as counsel for a governmental body.

Report to evaluate highway department needs, location

The commissioners voted unanimously to enter into a contract with an engineering firm in order to evaluate the current location and layout of the Decatur County Highway Department, taking into consideration that department's future needs as well as the cost involved.

Via the agreement, Strand Associates will examine the department's requirements and whether or not they can be accommodated at its current site at 781 E. Base Rd. in Greensburg.

Decatur County Highway Department superintendent Mark Mohr said the county's Redevelopment Commission, through the agreement, would reimburse the county on the cost of the assessment by Strand. The superintendent said the reimbursement is typically a quick process.

Strand Associates engineer Steve Ruble said the contract is for a "design schematic" that would include a report that would be submitted to the commissioners in about 60 days. That report would include a preliminary site layout.

Commissioner Koors called the measure "a great idea."

Ruble noted that part of the process would include touring and examining recently-built highway department facilities in other locations.

The work is necessitated due to a lack of space, Mohr explained. Buening commented that the layout of the department isn't ideal saying the department is currently situated on "an odd piece of ground."

Stakeholders, including the Decatur County Parks and Recreation Department, would be involved in the process.

The commissioners cautioned that the process does not rule out prospective projects such as lengthening the Charles L. Buell Nature Trail or creating a dog park. The latter initiative was at or near the top of a list of hoped-for community additions based on a survey conducted last year by Partners for Community Progress.

Mohr also detailed recent work by the department, which has included tending to subbase failures on CR 520. That process is expected to continue for about three weeks before crews move to CR 400 E. for the same work.

Ditching and paving efforts are also underway by county road crews.

Mohr also submitted a photo to the commissioners of trash piled in a county-owned alley in Letts following a complaint by a nearby property owner. The board suggested sending a letter asking the person who is believed to be responsible for the mess to clean up the area. A previous letter was sent, but neither Mohr nor the board was certain that it had been received.

Mohr later recommended accepting current fuel, stone, gravel, pipe and plate bids which were unveiled Monday shortly after adjournment of the regularly scheduled meeting.

Jail discussions continue

In an effort to explore funding possibilities for the possible future construction of a new jail, the commissioners voted unanimously Monday to enter into an agreement with a law service firm and lobbying group that would handle those duties.

The county will pay Barnes and Thornburg, LLP$20,000 in four separate installments, Nobbe explained, utilizing the county's Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) monies.

Buening said entering into such a contract does not obligate the county toward constructing a new jail, a prospect discussed at length in recent meetings. He said the agreement is a way to remain "proactive" at exploring funding options while officials continue to weigh the prospect of constructing a new facility.

Nobbe said much the same.

"It's important to get that done ahead of time, even if we don't build a jail," the commissioners' president said. "We need to have the ability to look at what funding avenues are available."

Decatur County Sheriff Greg Allen and Deputy Tony Blodgett recently revealed the results of a feasibility study of the current jail and spoke of continued issues involving overcrowding, recidivism, corrections officer turnover, and structural concerns.

They and other law enforcement officials are working to meet current needs while exploring the possibility of eventually breaking ground on a new structure capable of securely and safely housing inmates while also offering treatment options for those battling substance abuse issues.

The next meeting of the Decatur County Commissioners is set for 8 a.m. Monday, March 20, in the Decatur County Courthouse meeting room.

Contact: Brent Brown 812-663-3111 x7056; brent.brown@greensburgdailynews.com

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