Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue.

Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Welcome! We hope that you enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.

Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribe purchase a subscription to continue reading.

Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content.

Checking back? Since you viewed this item previously you can read it again.

Sun and clouds mixed. High around 85F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Clear skies. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.

PRINCETON — Gibson County Council members said they want to wait until county commissioners and Gibson County Emergency Medical Service Director David Pond meet with Deaconess Hospital officials to hear an alternative proposal for a Princeton ambulance base before they sign off on building a new base elsewhere.

Gibson County Redevelopment Commission has pledged $2 million in Patoka-Union Township TIF District revenue to build a new base on property on the south side of the Gibson County Fairgrounds, but the measure needs the county council’s approval to issue bonds for a forgivable loan to finance the project until TIF revenue comes in.

Commissioner Mary Key said earlier this summer that hospital officials were interested in investing in a new base for the EMS in Princeton, but Pond said earlier that the hospital’s proposal wouldn’t be adequate for what he thinks the EMS needs.

The county has leased the ambulance base on the north side of the hospital property since the 1970s.

County Council President Jeremy Overton said Tuesday that he met with Deaconess officials to learn more about their proposal. “I don’t know that there’s any reason to rush this,” he said. “Deaconess seems to have a pretty reasonable offer about what they’re willing to do. ... I’ve asked David Pond and commissioners to talk with Deaconess to hear what they have in mind before we spend that money. If we have a partner in the community that is willing to help us out, I don’t see why we would not,” said Overton

“I’m 100% on board with taking money from Deaconess and doing something, but don’t want to kick the ball down the road further,” Councilman Derek McGraw said.

“I think 30 to 60 days would be fair. They did have some plans and they got my attention and could save the county money,” said Councilman Jeff Clark.

Council Vice President Craig Pflug said he heard a proposal for a facility that “would be very nice,” and said he told Pond he would like to see the other two commissioners (Ken Montgomery and Warren Fleetwood) hear the proposal Deaconess has. “We should explore this option but don’t let it go more than 60 days,” he agreed.

Overton said he met with Deaconess Senior Vice President/Senior Strategy Officer Jared Florence, who seemed eager to explore a proposal.

“I know they are heavily invested in the Deaconess Gibson site,” said McGraw, who serves on the hospital board.

The council agreed to revisit the issue on the Nov. 9 meeting agenda.

Jail updateGibson County Jail construction project owner representative George Ballard reported the bond closing for the jail project was scheduled Thursday, and the site design plans will be submitted to the Princeton Common council Sept. 21, then the Princeton Plan Commission or Zoning Board Oct. 11 in order to have the building planning/zoning with the city and should have building permit approved.

The jail construction project was mandated by a class action federal lawsuit settlement agreement. The suit was filed by the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, alleging overcrowding and understaffing.

The council discussed increases in jail salaries for the next year in budget workshops as a way to attract more jail staff, but Overton said since that time, attorneys in the settlement agreement have asked what measures the county is taking to bring the staff up to recommended levels. “We’re down to a small number of people operating the jail,” he said, proposing an increase in jail correction officer salaries to $20 per hour ahead of 2023 to attract more candidates.

Councilman Jay Riley offered a motion to change the salary ordinance for jail corrections officers, waiving the probationary pay rate until the jail has adequate staffing levels. “Right now we are running on less than a skeleton crew,” he said.

• The council approved allocating $75,000 to install four new security cameras and DVR equipment in the community corrections building.

• The council agreed to pay severance of $9,524 to Sandra Hedges, who left her position in the county treasurer’s office for a position as Gibson County Solid Waste Controller. Pflug noted that the solid waste district and county government are two separate taxing entities, so the county needs to pay out the severance for Hedges’ union position and it’s up to the solid waste management district to negotiate what paid time off she is eligible for in her new non-union position.

Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Your comment has been submitted.

There was a problem reporting this.

Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Would you like to receive our daily news?  Signup today!