Volume 1, Issue 2, Free Edition - March 6, 2026

2025 A “Year Full of Momentum,” State of the City

Noelle Maxwell

According to Greensburg Mayor Joshua Marsh, “2025 was a year full of momentum” in Greensburg. He presented the 2025 State of the City address during Leaders and Lagers at The TaaP, February 17. Looking back at 2025, Marsh acknowledged the Street Department completing their first year in their new building and commended Greensburg Fire Department’s ice rescue in January. “Our training efforts,” Marsh said of the ice rescue, which is believed to be the first ice rescue of a person conducted by GFD, “are something we always want to focus on – that one is a prime example. If somebody says, ‘well, why do we have ice rescue material,’ you never know when something like that’s going to be useful.”

The past year saw leadership changes in city departments. Aaron Schwendenmann and Joe Cain were promoted to water and wastewater treatment plant superintendents, respectively. The wastewater plant itself transitioned from an untreated to treated septic system, a transition which could potentially save the city millions of dollars.

Marsh announced Donna Lecher’s, Greensburg’s utilities manager for 33 years, retirement. Dori Baker is taking over as utilities manager. Baker has worked in the utilities office 24 years, most recently as assistant manager.

The Sally Crane Memorial walk connecting Rebekah Park to Main Street was completed. Ten lane miles of road work were finished under the Community Crossings Matching Grant, including parts of Broadway and Washington streets. One major upcoming project is the trail extension along Main Street. It’s “still on the radar for INDOT” in 2027, per Marsh, “we’re excited about INDOT’s investment. It’s a multi-million dollar investment – and it doesn’t really require any of our dollars. It’s a good partnership.” Since Main Street is part of State Road 46, the trail extension there is an INDOT project.

A permanent recycling center is expected to open later this year in the former Street Department building. The center will have consistent hours and be open to all county residents. In housing, Liberty Lakes has over 20 building permits issued or completed out of 102 total lots. That subdivision is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Another housing option in the works is Seneca Landing, a 100-plus unit, 55 building market-rate apartment complex slated for Veteran’s Way. The Ironmen Properties apartment building a four story, 88 unit structure, will break ground this spring and is expected to be complete before Fall 2027.

Marsh discussed the impact of Senate Enrolled Act 1 which Indiana passed last year. “It was labeled a property tax savings bill,” Marsh explained, “it’s actually a massive reduction of local income which is a huge problem as we continue to provide services for our community.”

SEA 1 restructured property and income taxes. “The way that it is currently structured,” Marsh said, “is incredibly financially impactful and negative for the City of Greensburg.” He described the legislation as “a real momentum-killer.”

When asked about specific impacts from SEA 1, Marsh elaborated how the bill, which raises income taxes, affects each department differently. All operations outside of utilities are funded via the city’s general fund. 30% of that budget goes to the fire department, 30% to the police department, 10% to basic street department operations excluding salaries, 10% to benefits, health insurance and employee retirement funds, 10% to general services such as financial, legal or accounting services and the remaining 10%, Marsh said, “is sort of split up amongst everything else,” which includes roughly seven paid salaries. Using himself as an example, Marsh said, “I’m half paid for by the utilities fund, half paid for by the general fund. There are only three full-time employees paid out of the genera fund that do not work in police or fire. There was this discussion being had at the state level where [SEA 1] would not affect public safety – factually inaccurate. It doesn’t work that way. If you’re a department of one and we cut one person, you’re very affected. If you’re a department of 30 and we cut one, you’re not that affected. But the financial impacts, they vary widely, how we fund those varies. It really depends.”

Commissioners Hear Update about Cattle

Noelle Maxwell

The Decatur County Commissioners met 6 PM, March 2. Doug Westerfeld, Area Plan Director, presented a reimbursement agreement with Commonwealth Engineering for a battery storage facility. Two items needed signatures – the expense fund agreement and a master service agreement. An expense fund would allow for expenses covering planning, review, inspections and attorney fees for the storage facility and the master service agreement would cover the same matters specifically with Commonwealth Engineering. All agreements were approved.

Sheriff Bill Meyerrose announced the upcoming retirement of Merit Deputy Chris Hellmich. Hellmich began working at the Decatur County Jail in July 2003 and became a merit deputy in August 2006. “Chris has been an outstanding deputy,” said Meyerrose, who also requested authorization to present Hellmich with his handgun as a token of appreciation, as deputies’ guns are county property. Commissioners authorized the retirement gift to Hellmich.

The cattle seized by the Greensburg Decatur County Animal Shelter in January are mostly improving according to shelter employee Sierra Richey – one cow had to be euthanized recently and as required by state statute a necropsy is being performed. The remaining cattle have all gone up one point on the body condition scale, meaning they’re gaining weight. The cattle will be wormed – so far the county has paid $8,001.24. Commissioner Jeremy Pasel urged the shelter to proceed with worming the cattle, expressing appreciation for the figures provided and inquiring about how the shelter is doing, generally. Richey said the shelter is doing well and getting closer to no-kill status.

John Lecher, lake manager and utility administrator for the Lake Santee Property Owners’ Association, presented internal load study results for lake sediment and requested commissioners’ support in approaching congressional representative Erin Houchin to request federal funding to chemically suspend the phosphorus so it doesn’t release. Lecher had a quote of $3.9 million in federal funding to cover the entire lake and plans to request $2 million to treat the areas with the most sediment. Lecher indicated the letter needs to be sent to Rep. Houchin by Friday, March 6 and that he expects an answer within one to four weeks. Lake Santee does work to ensure property owners and farmers use appropriate fertilizer so further phosphorus doesn’t get into the lake. A sediment pond has been built and dredging is performed on the lake.

A $75,000 anonymous donation to the Decatur County 4-H Fair Grounds community building was approved – the donor wants their logo and name on the side of the grain bin outside the building for 10 years in exchange for their donation. A move to McGowan Insurance Group from current county provider Assured Partners was approved – rates between McGowan and Assured Partners were similar but the county can save on worker’s comp insurance by switching.  A request for use of facilities of the courthouse by Emily Verseman and the Decatur County Historical Society for July 4 was approved. Verseman said the society wants to recreate a July 4 photo based off of a 1918 photo.

Water Board Approves Hach Agreement

Noelle Maxwell

The City of Greensburg water board approved the agreement with Hach Service as presented by Aaron Schwendenmann, water superintendent. Hach Service quoted $34,245 for the contract, which includes analysis equipment and quarterly third-party analyses in addition to the daily calibration analysis conducted by the department. Schwendenmann explained that the third-party analysis isn’t required by the state but the department does the analysis because it could be valuable if there are ever questions.

A $7,098.31 quote from McAllister Shoring Equipment for a trench box was also approved. The water department will split use of this trench box with the sewer department.

Darren Burkhart provided an update on the Broadway and Tenth street project – permits will be submitted this week, once permits have been submitted, the next steps are advertising and receiving bids. Currently, the project is on track to receive bids the first week of May.

Retail Gap Analysis Update Presented

Noelle Maxwell

The Greensburg Redevelopment Commission met March 3 – in old business, Zach Wirrig, Director of Public Projects shared an update on the retail gap analysis. He met with Structurepoint regarding the first draft of the analysis, saying, “they’ve crunched through all the numbers, they’ve taken those numbers and our input and have done a good job molding it to what we wanted to see.”  The analysis, according to Wirrig, “proved what we all knew of some of the gaps that we had” and is still on track to be complete by the end of April.

Pool Commissioner Gabriel Nobbe was expected to provide updates about the Allen Memorial Pool project but was absent from the meeting.

In new business, Brady Rogers with Reedy Financial reviewed the 2025 report and reminded the commission that a copy of the report would need to be sent to city council by April 15.

Wirrig had an update on the 12 acre farm property lease – there has been one offer, it’s the same lease the city has had the past two years. Andrew Scholle has been contracted to survey the parcel’s right of way before fields are planted.

Thirty Authors Slated for Local Author Fair

Edited Press Release

Thirty authors will be participating in the Greensburg-Decatur County Public Library’s first local author fair, on Saturday, April 25, 10 AM to 2 PM. A wide range of genres will be represented – fantasy, young adult, mystery, romance, fiction, non-fiction and more! Confirmed participants as of February 25 were:

Paulette Brooks - Adult Historical,  Anthology, Historical Fiction

Robert Carpenter - Children's, Board Books

Christopher Clouser – Fantasy

Macayla Dawn - YA Fantasy

Dain Ray Devon, Fiction, Poetry

Lauren Fischer - Mystery

Emma Gallagher - Children's Fantasy

Nikki Haras - Romantasy

Jane Hartsock - Women’s Fiction, Psychological Suspense

Russ Jarvis - Fantasy, Thriller, Short Story, Literary Novel, Memoir, Non-Fiction

Kristina W. Kelly - Cozy Fantasy, Sci-Fi and Fantasy Poetry

Allen Kirk - YA Supernatural, Urban Fantasy

Emily Wohlfrom-Knox - Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Kayla Knue - Dark Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Romance

J.J. Leach - YA Fantasy

Courtney Leach - Fiction

Rudy Lopes – Fantasy

M. G. Lorraine - Romantic Suspense

Yukimi Lumaris - Science Fiction, Cyberpunk Romance, High Fantasy Romance

Maggie Marton - Non-Fiction

Bradley McKibben - Science Fiction/Space Exploration, Young Adult

R.H. Nicholson - Literary Fiction, Children's Books, Poetry

Benjamin O'Neal - Crime Thriller, Science Fiction, Anthology

John Pratt - Non-Fiction

Emanda Rosen - Biblical, Spiritual, Christian Growth

Jennifer Huston Schaeffer – Memoir

Dennis O. Shepherd - Inspirational/Devotional, Poetry

Brice Tressler - Adult Fiction

Jamie Ward - Non-Fiction

Ashley Watson, PhD - Nonfiction, History, Local History

GDPL’s goal for this event is to uplift the voices of authors from across Indiana while providing an opportunity for people to meet their favorite author or discover someone new! Books will be available to purchase, authors will discuss their work at their booth. For more information or to participate in the fair, contact GDPL Marketing Coordinator Hannah Hassler, [email protected]; Public Services Assistant Karen Lane, [email protected]; or Local Historian Jennifer Leach, [email protected] – all can also be contacted at the library by phone, 812-663-2826.