Commissioners split support for Mid-States Regional Development Authority resolution

Dubois County Commissioners reach a deadlock on whether to recommend continued membership in the Mid-States Corridor Regional Development Authority, with one commissioner supporting the resolution and another opposing it during Monday’s meeting.

With Commissioner Nick Hostetter absent, the split opinion between Commissioners Chad Blessinger and Serice Stenftenagel means no formal recommendation will advance to the County Council, which holds the authority to decide whether Dubois County continues its RDA membership.

Before hearing the commissioners’ opinions, RDA Attorney Bill Kaiser presented the resolution asking commissioners to recommend that the County Council maintain the county’s membership in the organization, emphasizing the RDA’s role in securing major transportation funding and infrastructure improvements.

Kaiser outlined several key accomplishments the RDA has achieved on behalf of Dubois County since the county became a founding member in 2017. The organization worked with INDOT to complete the Tier 1 study, which identified solutions to congested traffic issues on US 231 and led to the proposed corridor construction.

He explained was also directly involved in Governor Holcomb’s decision to award $75 million to Dubois County for improvements and upgrades to 231.

The RDA also collaborated with INDOT during the Tier 2 study and secured funding for the study’s costs. Kaiser said that when completed, this study will place the corridor project in a unique position among INDOT projects, making it eligible for federal construction funding.

“The RDA has served as the fiscal agent for the member organizations, including Dubois County for the Tier 1 study and would continue to serve as a fiscal agent during the construction phase for local contractors,” Kaiser said told the commissioners.

He emphasized that the RDA serves as an important advocate for Dubois County and other member organizations, noting that without the RDA, the workload for county commissioners and council members would increase significantly.

Kaiser highlighted the organization’s efforts to establish strong working relationships with INDOT and its contractor, the Lochmueller Group.

“Without the RDA, Dubois County will solely be responsible to negotiate with INDOT the relinquishment terms and conditions,” Kaiser warned about U.S. 231 being taken over by the county and cities of Jasper and Huntingburg, thought the County Commissioners have maintained they don’t want to take it over from INDOT.

He stressed that county officials would need to spend additional time working directly with INDOT, Lochmueller and subsequent contractors during the next two years as the county and INDOT prepare for corridor construction, with that workload continuing through the next five to eight years during construction.

Kaiser also provided perspective on the county’s RDA involvement, noting that both the County Council and Commissioners agreed to membership in 2017. Dubois County contributed $1.75 million toward the Tier 1 study costs in 2017 and 2018.

The county has twice voted to elect members representing Dubois County on the RDA Board, in 2018 and 2022. Both the council and commissioners approved the RDA’s purpose in connection with investigating, studying and ultimately constructing the corridor.

“The RDA has delivered on all these responsibilities both to the commissioners, the council members and the other citizens of this county as well as the other member organizations,” Kaiser said.

He argued that the RDA serves as the county’s advocate at no cost in a project that would be “the largest infrastructure project in the history of Dubois County.”

Kaiser noted the irony of potentially leaving the RDA when Dubois County may need it most, particularly as some citizens impacted by construction are asking elected officials to withdraw from the organization.

“The RDA believes that this would be to the financial detriment of both Dubois County and the vast majority of the citizens of Dubois County,” he said.

RDA President Mark Schroeder also addressed commissioners, asking them to allow the organization to complete its work.

“What I think would be the best interest of the county is let us finish the job that you wanted us to do,” Schroeder said. “And that’s really to take this thing, this Tier 2 study to conclusion. Then where we go from there remains to be seen.”

Kaiser clarified that under state law, the County Council originally voted to approve RDA membership with at least an eight-year minimum commitment. The resolution before commissioners would serve as a recommendation to the council, not a binding commitment or funding request.

Commissioner Serice Stenftenagel expressed support for recommending continued RDA membership to the County Council. However, Commissioner Chad Blessinger indicated his opposition to approving the resolution.

With the commissioners split, no formal action was taken on the resolution. The measure died for lack of support, leaving the County Council without a formal recommendation from the commissioners regarding continued RDA membership.

Dubois County has made no payments to the RDA since its initial $1.75 million contribution eight years ago, while the organization has continued advocating for the county and other member organizations.

The County Council retains the authority to decide whether to withdraw from or affirmatively maintain membership in the RDA as the organization works to complete the Tier 2 study and support the corridor construction project. They will likely consider continuing membership in the Mid-States Corridor at the March 30 meeting in the Council Chambers at the County Annex Building at 4:30 p.m.