Photo and Story by Staff Writer: Don Steen, [email protected]
SPENCER COUNTY – The Spencer County Commissioners met in regular session March 21. Many of the board’s actions went on to the county council meeting that evening for final approval, but there were several updates and reports specific to the commissioners as well.
Veterans Service Officer Butch Meredith said he was still taking on several clients from Kentucky, as the new VSO in Owensboro works to get into the swing of things. However, the overall number of veterans from out of state relying on Spencer County has begun to trend down, easing Meredith’s caseload somewhat.
Meredith has been making the most of that new availability, visiting with veterans scheduled to attend the next Honor Flight to Washington D.C. April 22. Of the 86 veterans across southern Indiana set to depart, four are from Spencer County. As it happens, Meredith was able to sign up all four for claims, ensuring they and their families can access the benefits for which they are entitled.
Meredith also credited Honor Flight of Southern Indiana for the work they do, even in the early stages of preparation.
“They [veterans] are treated like royalty,” he said.
Meredith also asked the commissioners for permission to host a donation box for Spencer County soldiers currently deployed. Donations go toward the Rebels4Soldiers Project, an initiative by South Spencer students. The commissioners approved the request.
Non-perishables are preferred, such as chips, salsa, nuts, beef jerky, non-melting candy and other goods that travel well. Other portable quality of life items, such as socks, sunblock etc. can also be useful.
Donations will be accepted till the end of the school year in May, at which point the items will be shipped off in care packages. Meredith recalled the importance of these packages during his own time in Vietnam. Any luxuries from home life made things a lot more tolerable to the recipient and their comrades.
“It was always well received,” he said. “When anybody got a package from home, it was a good day.”
Highway Grant
Highway Superintendent Dale Kenney informed the board that the county’s bid for federal funding to address issues on County Road 100E near Chrisney has been successful. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources announced last Monday the Spencer County project was awarded $1,262,400, with a local match of $250,000. Work is expected to begin in 2028, after the funds are released.
Tara Lloyd, who assisted with the application, credited Kenney and Highway Administrator Gina Mullen with the success of this effort.
“They did a fantastic job selling this to INDOT,” she said.
Commissioner Tom Brown also thanked Kenney and the highway department as a whole for its efforts clearing tree limbs, or whole trees, from roads across the county in the wake of severe wind storms early this month.
In other business
• The Spencer County Plan Commission reported one new home built last month, with permits for three more.
• The commissioners approved a $6,100 bid for the demolition of a dilapidated home. The board also approved a finding of fact to get bids for another demolition, this one on County Road 70N.
• Approved a maintenance contract with DeBra-Kuempel of Evansville for work on the Spencer County Courthouse.
• Appointed Brandon Arnold and Jason Thomas to the Chrisney Plan Commission in preparation for discussions on that town’s comprehensive plan.
• Is considering an auction of multiple county-owned lots, including one lot in Holiday Village and 10 in French Island Marina.
• The next meeting of the Spencer County Commissioners will be held at 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 in the Commissioners Room of the Courthouse.
