Pat Thomas, health department director, came before the commissioners at their regular meeting on August 20 on behalf of employees at the courthouse concerning air quality.

Thomas noted that she had been contacted by employees on the second and third floor of the courthouse who said they were concerned that there could be mold in the building.

Thomas stated that she could request that the state test again, but the last test results from them did not show mold.

Commissioners decided that an independent professional would need to be contacted to do the testing. Environmental Laboratories Inc. was chosen to do the testing. It was noted that each register in the courthouse should be tested, along with overhead pipes that have leaked onto the ceiling tile. This was a unanimous decision.

To corroborate what Thomas had brought before the commissioners, Judge James Morris was in attendance and spoke on behalf of himself and Judge Carl Taul. He noted that several employees of the second and third floor were experiencing problems with lung infections and the doctors have advised them it is from fungus/mold issues. The employees feel there is a problem in the courthouse.

On a different note, Judge Morris addressed the commissioners about the Community Corrections Program. He advised that the judges, prosecutor, sheriff and probation entities had met and were in agreement that the program is needed. He noted that the group felt the grant of $169,000 from the State of Indiana would cover the costs of the program. The funds perceived lost by the sheriff's department, could be made up with the rental of bed space from the sheriff for the offenders in the program. Only non-violent crimes would qualify for the program. He provided a sample ordinance for the commissioners to review and asked them to consider the program.

Move in date for the annex has been pushed back to the first part of October instead of the anticipated middle of September date.

The annex construction continues at a steady pace with the courthouse renovation next on the agenda. This will begin as soon as offices can be moved to the new annex building. Commissioner Gary Stutler moved to accept the bid from Maxwell Construction Company for a total of $219,150.00, and the motion passed unanimously.

In other business:

• Dennis Dunlap reviewed the first draft of the county employee handbook with the commissioners. Several pages were reviewed and many questions raised. Dunlap will return to the August 31 meeting to further discuss the issue.

• Commissioners unanimously accepted the bid from Maddux for $6,480.00 for the annex move.

• Commissioners unanimously approved to have Cintas provide first aid cabinets in each break room at the new annex.

• Patrick Rose, EMA director for the county came before the commissioners with information about tornado relief money. It was decided to talk with the Town of Holton to see what had not been reimbursed for them, along with the county highway, EMS and other county departments. Rose also advised he had the year end report and would forward it to the commissioners.

• Kelly Vollet, technology director, gave information on vending companies to the commissioners. It was decided to go with All American Vending. Vollet also gave quotes from Crossman Fire and Safety for $30.00, per month to monitor the new annex and a quote from Cintas for $24.00 per month. It was decided she should contact each agency for a quote for all three county locations.

• Commissioners approved the request of planning director Tad Brinson to rezone property on the North side of State Road 46 in Morris that is owned by Red Forge. Brinson said the zoning board had approved the request.

• Assessor Shawna Bushhorn presented the commissioners with a wording change to the DLGF and X-Soft contracts. The commissioners approved her request unanimously.

The commissioners will meet this Friday, August 31 instead of their regular date, which would be on the Labor Day holiday. The meeting will begin at 7 a.m. at the county highway and will reconvene to the EMA office in the basement of the sherrif's office at 8 a.m.