CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (February 4, 2026) – The Clinton County Board of Commissioners moved forward with historical designation efforts and tightened financial oversight during their meeting on February 3, while receiving a glowing year-end report from the local Humane Society.
Humane Society Reports Record Success
The meeting was highlighted by a comprehensive 2025 year-end report from the Clinton County Humane Society, which reported a live release rate of 95%. Executive Director Cheyenne Taylor noted that for the first time in the shelter’s history, dog adoptions (342) outpaced cat adoptions (317). The shelter also successfully reduced the average length of stay for dogs to just 43 days, down from an earlier goal of 60.
The organization highlighted significant building improvements funded by grants, including an $80,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Clinton County to replace dog kennels. Additionally, the shelter participated in a high-profile rescue involving 47 dogs removed from a dog-fighting operation in South Carolina through the Humane World for Animals program. The shelter received some of the dogs from this rescue.
Historical Designation for Fairgrounds
The commissioners granted permission to Skip Davis of the Clinton County Fairgrounds history project to proceed with an application for national historic designation. Davis detailed the site’s rich history, noting that a 1872 court fight involving the grounds eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which set a national precedent allowing counties to own land for the purpose of holding fairs.
The project focuses on the 1909 administration building, constructed with the same bricks used to pave the Indianapolis Motor Speedway that same year. Davis noted that the designation could increase tourism for the county.
Financial Oversight and Insurance Hikes
In a move to improve auditing transparency, the board passed Resolution 2026-1, establishing new procedures for online credit purchases. The auditor’s office will now require detailed identifiers, such as photos or specific item descriptions, for purchases made on platforms like Amazon to ensure they are legitimate county expenses.
The board also approved an insurance renewal that saw a 14.8% increase in premiums year-over-year. Commissioners noted that the market for municipal insurance is shrinking, with several companies declining to bid due to the county’s loss history, the presence of a county home, and ongoing litigation involving the sheriff and jail matron. Excess liability coverage surged by 82%, rising from approximately $50,000 to over $92,000.
Commissioners also noted an additional cost for insurance for the newly opened, $17 million County Annex.
Contested Claims and Department Updates
The commissioners took the rare step of denying two specific financial claims from the Sheriff’s Office. One claim for camera repair at the jail was rejected because the commissioners still lack access to the camera system following a password change last summer. A second claim for “dress boots” for the sheriff was denied after being deemed “excessive” and inappropriate for a standard uniform item.
Other key moments from the meeting included:
Highway Department: Superintendent Rick Campbell reported on recent snow removal efforts, noting that while some mailboxes were damaged by heavy snow, the priority remained keeping roads open for emergency services and schools.
Health Department: Officials announced upcoming lung cancer screenings on Feb. 11 and emphasized measles preparedness as infection rates rise in other states.
Purdue Extension: A contractual service agreement was postponed to the next meeting to ensure specific Clinton County amendments from the previous year were included.
The next Board of Commissioners meeting is scheduled for February 17.
