Daniel Johnson, Johnson County highway engineer, briefed commissioners on several highway items at the Nov. 17 meeting and secured approvals for contract extensions, change orders and administrative steps for online permitting.

On the Bridal 85 project, Johnson said the board was being asked to approve Amendment No. 4 to the professional services contract with Strand Associates to extend the term through Dec. 31, 2026, noting there would be "No additional cost. No additional services." The board approved the amendment by voice vote.

Johnson also presented Change Order No. 4 for Bridge 605 at the intersection of State Road 135 and Fry Road, describing the item as a resolution of repairs discussed at the board's June 23 meeting. When a commissioner asked whether costs would be shared, Johnson said, "that's a 100% by the consultant." No contract documents were presented on the floor to corroborate the payment arrangement during the meeting.

The highway department asked the board to ratify a Stripe account letter to work with OpenGov for online permitting and payments; the letter identifies the highway supervisor as the manager of the Stripe account so OpenGov and Stripe systems can coordinate. The board approved the ratification.

Other items included Change Order No. 1 for the county mill-and-overlay project with Howard Companies to add milling and paving at intersections for drainage and future tie-ins, and a letter of support for Barkersville's Whiteland Road and Saddle Club Road intersection improvements for an Indianapolis MPO funding application. Luke Masten, highway supervisor, requested approval of an interlocal agreement with the City of Franklin for paving on Hospital Road; Masten said the city will reimburse roughly $24,000 for the portion of roadway on the city's inventory and the board approved the agreement.

Commissioners were advised that some funding applications being prepared for the Indianapolis MPO and "NDOT" have differing deadlines; Johnson said financial-commitment letters might be requested for ratification in December meetings.