The Board of Commissioners on Nov. 18 opened multiple procurement bids and approved several routine county actions.

Material bids for 2026 (Irving Materials; Heidelberg Materials; US Aggregates; Kokomo Gravel Inc.; Central Paving; Wreeth Riley; Milestone) and snow‑removal bids (Exterior View Inc.; Russell Trucking & Excavating; Smith’s Lawn Care) were opened and taken under advisement for later selection.

The highway department presented purchase paperwork for three tractors; commissioners voted to approve the purchase order, with the board noting lower interest rates made purchase preferable to leasing. The motion to proceed carried 3‑0.

Old‑business approvals included cellular monitoring equipment for three elevators (Annex, Parkview and Sheriff’s Office) totaling about $1,646.95 per unit; the purchase was approved by motion and recorded as carried 3‑0. Commissioners also approved the 2026 meeting schedule.

Department heads reported operational items: IT-related computer replacements were authorized (roughly $30,000), and the paramedic program reported five students completing final exams and a planned EMT class in January. County claims and payroll (claims on Nov. 14: $42,804.18; biweekly Nov. 18: $667,771.24; court claim $33,462.91; payroll items including $571,844.58 on Oct. 31) were presented and approved by recorded motions.

Where votes were recorded, the transcript reports unanimous recorded tallies as "motion carries 3 0." Specific award decisions on bids will be made after review of submitted proposals at a subsequent meeting.