The Fulton County EMA is focused on storm cleanup, addressing concerns of rising water levels in Lake Manitou. Sandbags are available at Manitou from 8 AM to 4 PM. The recent Akron 4th of July Parade went smoothly. No significant updates were reported at the latest board meeting, with the next scheduled for October 9th at the EMA building.

The Fulton County Highway Department is busy with multiple projects. Comcast is boring under US 31 to install fiber optics. A new roof for the salt building is being paid out of pocket and from next year’s budget. The department is selling a backhoe with 6,000 operational hours for $24,000, with Ranstead humorously suggesting to “take the money and run,” which was approved. Bridge 106 is in poor condition, and a hydraulic study costing $34,000 this year has been approved to analyze fees and design. The community crossings project application is set for 2025, with construction planned for 2026. USI was awarded the study contract after two contractor bids were received, both within $1,000 of each other.

The Fulton County Planning Coordinator spoke on behalf of 990 Madison Street. The property, initially planned for condemnation, was bought by a couple that flips houses. The property is no longer in danger and is expected to be up for sale next spring after being brought to code within 90 days.

The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office reports an increase in the average daily inmate population, now at 140, including inmates from surrounding counties and federal detainees, generating $114,000 in invoicing for out-of-county housing. K-9 Tahoes are being outfitted and are expected to be ready in three weeks. The Indiana Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) starts in August. Despite the weather, department staff attended the county fair. The department is also working with dispatch and IT to update geolocation software for better dispatch routing.

Fulton County Dispatch has a full-time opening and a new dispatcher starting soon. Approval to begin interviews for additional applicants has been requested from the county commissioners.

The Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation has board meeting on the 30th, will discuss water sampling at Lake Manitou and plans for an educational trailer under the Clean Water Indiana initiative. The board has seen a 3% cost of living adjustment and seeks approval to present this to the Fulton County Council.

The Fulton County Health Department has been active with Health First Indiana events, providing life vests to the community, the city pool, and the fair, with the remaining vests to be donated to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The department has requested an additional key for their building and a cell phone for an on-call employee, which was approved. They have allocated $23,100 this year and $22,272 next year from the Health First budget for an off-road capable vehicle for operations use during floods.

The county is receiving $750,000 for the year from opioid settlement dollars. A proposal suggests nonprofits collaborate to form a single entity providing a transportation service funded by the settlement. This proposal sparked a heated response from a resident, who was verbally agitated by the idea. She argued passionately that county needs like road repair and infrastructure should take precedence over transportation services for those affected by opioids. “Rather than hauling a few druggies around,” she exclaimed, “we need to focus on fixing our roads and infrastructure. The more money you throw at a problem, the more of the problem you have.” Her remarks stunned the room, highlighting a deep divide in the community over how best to utilize the opioid settlement funds.

The Nickle Plate Music and Arts Festival has been approved to use the Old City Jail and nearby area on August 31st, with a parade at 9 AM.

Various ordinances were approved, including a new computer for the Fulton County Soil and Water Conservation. Meeting minutes from June 21 and July 1 were also approved. The Parks Service reallocated funds, and the County Council appropriated $19,580 for EMS services.

Alamo Studios Publisher Christopher Bake spoke with County Commissioner Ranstead on the confusion over seeing Lutheran EMS Ambulances still staffed at the Rochester Fire Station, despute Lutheran’s discontinuation of EMS Coverage in the county. Ranstead explained that Parkview EMS took over from Lutheran EMS for EMS coverage on July 1, 2024. Despite the end of the county’s contract with Lutheran EMS on June 30, the townships within Fulton County had independent contracts with Lutheran EMS to house their ambulances. As such, Lutheran EMS continues to staff stations while responding out of county temporarily until the housing contracts end. Ranstead noted that the Rochester Fire Department has submitted a Cease and Desist notice to Lutheran EMS to immediately remove their ambulances from the station at the contract’s end. Another Fulton County Commissioner noted that Lutheran EMS may be called upon for emergency response within the county if needed, however it was highlighted that Lutheran EMS would be providing a “lower quality of care”.