FRANKFORT — Clinton County commissioners approved an official detour plan tied to an upcoming U.S. 421 bridge replacement, accepted three fairgrounds building-naming bids, and adopted an amended public-private agreement for the ongoing courthouse project during their March 3 meeting. Also Commissioner President Jordan Brewer questioned Clinton County Sheriff Rich Kelley about the investigation currently taking place in the Clinton County Sheriff Department.
The detour approval is expected to affect local traffic for about 90 days, with work anticipated to start July 9 and be completed by Oct. 9, according to information discussed at the meeting. Commissioners also heard updates on county road work, dispatch and emergency preparedness activities, and staffing changes in county offices.
U.S. 421 detour and highway updates
County Highway Department Superintendent Rick Campbell brought commissioners a state request to sign an official detour route for a U.S. 421 bridge replacement between 700 North and 800 North, with the detour using County Road 500 West.
“90 days,” Campbell said when asked how long the detour would last, adding the work was expected to begin in July. A commissioner Brewer, reviewing the letter, said the expected start date was “July 9” with completion by “October 9.”
Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept the detour. “We accept the detour and the dates of July,” commissioner Weaver said while making the motion.
Campbell also told commissioners a new crew-cab truck for the sewer crew had arrived and the bill of sale, totaling $53,591.43, needed signatures. He provided closeout documents for Community Crossings 2025 projects, including Mulberry-Jefferson Blacktop and Gas Line Road, noting the work came in under budget.
County officials also discussed spring road maintenance, including stone spreading that started in late February and plans for nearly 60 miles of chip seal this year. Chip and Seal plans are often subject to change but current planning list follows:
Fairgrounds naming bids accepted
Commissioners voted 3-0 to accept three bids tied to naming rights and signage at the Clinton County Fairgrounds, a move expected to add new revenue for the Fair Council over a multi-year period.
The bids presented included $5,000 per year for the show arena from the Scott D. Walker Foundation, $5,000 per year for the 4-H building from Premier Crop Insurance, and $4,000 for the south open-sided building from FBI, according to the amounts read during the meeting.
A commissioner moved “to accept the naming of the buildings at the fairground,” and the board approved the request unanimously.
Dispatch chairs approved; schools tours and siren test planned
Renee Crick, representing Central Dispatch, asked commissioners to approve a combination of leasing and purchasing dispatch chairs used around the clock. Crick said the center has leased chairs for nearly four years because “they’re used 24/7,” and purchasing “they just — they don’t hold up,” calling intensive-use chairs expensive.
Commissioners approved a plan to lease three chairs through a three-year agreement, with annual payments of $2,970 if paid yearly, and to purchase two existing chairs for $1,000 each. The vote was 3-0.
Later, dispatch officials said they are beginning tours of county schools to help dispatchers better visualize locations during emergencies. They also noted Severe Weather Preparedness Week is next week and that a full county tornado siren activation is planned Tuesday, March 10, around 10:15 a.m., in conjunction with the statewide test.
Hillisburg home rehab extended; new inspector hired
Area Plan Director Liz Stitzel recommended commissioners grant an additional extension for a Hillisburg house undergoing rehabilitation under an existing enforcement process. Stitzel said permits are now in place and work is underway, but the project is waiting on suitable weather for septic work and other steps.
A representative for the project told commissioners, “I’m expecting two to three weeks completion once the rough inspection is approved.” Commissioners voted 3-0 to grant a three-month extension, with the timeline discussed to the June 2 meeting.
Stitzel also announced the department has hired a new building inspector, Yomar Fontan, who is in training.
Other actions and notes
Commissioners approved an amended public-private agreement with Envoy related to the courthouse project, describing it as a timeline and scope update memorializing changes discussed over the past year. They also reappointed Allison C. Williams to the Forest Township Board after learning the resignation process required a clerk step before a prior appointment.
In additional votes, commissioners renewed a county mowing contract used for tall grass ordinance enforcement, and approved a revised job description for the sheriff’s office record clerk position to reflect a 40-hour work week. Commissioners also heard from Sheriff Rich about an ongoing internal investigation he said “is being addressed” and “still in the process,” and about conditional offers for three merit deputy candidates pending medical clearances.
Update on Internal Sheriff Department Investigation
Clinton County Commissioners received an update from Sheriff Kelly on the investigation currently taking place in the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department. Here is the verbatim exchange between Brewer and Kelly on the matter:
Commissioner Jordan Brewer:
“Well, obviously a lot’s come out in the last week here, so I’m just wanting to get an update on the investigation going on there and where everything stands.”
Sheriff Rich Kelly:
“Yes, sir.
As far as the complaint that came through the public meeting and the merit board, absolutely it’s being addressed. It’s been turned to our investigators, so it’ll move forward. And people will be interviewed, and the different things and the requests will be adhered to.”
Brewer:
“So it’s still in the process of the investigation?”
Kelly:
“Yes, sir.”
Brewer:
“The other question I guess I would ask is in the Journal and Courier, you had mentioned that the identity of the civilian was, you were unaware of that?
Is that still the case?”
Kelly:
“Yes, it is.”
Brewer:
“OK.”
Kelly:
“Yeah, it is.
And the civilians will be interviewed as we get to each person, and they’ll be interviewed.”
Brewer:
“How many total civilians will be included in that?”
Kelly:
“I couldn’t tell you right off the bat. I couldn’t tell you right off hand how many that would be, but it would be the majority of the folks that are working– all of the folks that will be working there. That are working there.”
Brewer:
“OK.
Well, because I know that obviously it’s surrounded around the merit deputy, which follows different– different–
Kelly:
“It does.”
Brewer:
(unintelligible) “but the civilian would roll through HR at the county level, just in terms of policy violations and those type of things. So I guess this would be maybe my formal request when the investigation gets to a certain point. We probably need to see that or complete it, have a copy of the investigation, so that it can be handled according to our handbook here.”
Kelly:
“Absolutely.”
Brewer:
“OK.
Any other questions for the sheriff this morning?”
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The March 3 Commissioners meeting may be viewed in its entirety HERE
The internal investigation at the Clinton County Sheriff Department was triggered by a complaint at the Clinton County Sheriff’s Merit Board Meeting February 18th at the 10:45 mark on the time/scroll bar. To view Merit Board Meeting, click link below.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Ssdpw8mR5Sk?si=D3h2DvNyDLEWd0uv