Sullivan Board of Works and City Council Meetings Held Tuesday

The Sullivan Board of Works held both the Board of Works and City Council Meetings on Tuesday.

At the board of works meeting, board of works members remind the community that the police and fire crews will be holding a fish fry this coming Saturday. That will take place from 4 until 7 PM at the Sullivan 4-H Fairgrounds. A new hire of policer was completed for a police officer, but the officers hiring, he took a position with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office. Currently the city has 2 police officers. A trunk or treat will take place downtown on Thursday. A parade will take place that evening as well. The board of works discussed the current cellular company bill. Board members mentioned with two officers, the department needs to go through a device audit to see what devices are in use and what devices need to be deactivated. Items include cell phones and mi-fi units. Another item was the clothing contract for the police department. Nothing official was decided at the meeting.

At the City Council meeting under old business, the city budget for next year was adopted. The budget was discussed at September’s meeting and a public hearing was held in September. A salary ordinance was discussed, but a special session of the council will be held to approve the salary ordinance for 2026. That meeting will take place on October 30th at 10 AM. The renaming of a street tabled. Halloween hours were announced to be October 30th and 31st from 6 until 9 pm. The council heard a presentation from the Sullivan County Veterans Service office. The office is moving to the former 911 building behind the post office at 31 South State Street. Officials made a request for a vehicle space to be designated as a handicap parking spot. It was mentioned the work to stripe it and out up signage would be taken care of by the county. The council approved that request unanimously.

In reports the Police Chief, did mention they are still looking for a new officer. The department currently has 2 police officers. In the Fire Department report, the fish fry this upcoming weekend was mentioned. The city will be losing Ryan Williams as a firefighter. Williams has taken a new job with Air-Evac. Council members asked about an update on the ambulance. The billing company switch it still in process. It is the hope that the billing is all situated by the end of the month. The leaf collection schedule is also being prepared by the street department and the process of preparing for Winter is taking place. In council comments, it was noted that on October 29th, the Wabash Valley Community Foundation will be awarding the fire department $25,000 for a medical device while the police department will receive a grant for around $6,000 for police radar equipment.

Discussion in regard to E-Bikes was held by the council. Council members mentioned that there is no regulation currently, but city officials believe something needs to be done. They say safety is their main concern. City council members note that the E-bikes are not bicycles and they are not scooters, mopeds, or motorcycles, but can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Another items that was mentioned was sidewalks may be overtaken by the bikes.