BY HANNAH GUNNELL
2024 was a good year for Johnson County.
Johnson County Commissioner Brian Baird highlighted some of the successes in an email exchange with South Indy Connect earlier this month.
At the top of the list is the completion of a new Behavioral Health Center at Johnson Memorial Hospital, the county owned medical facility. This $11 million project used American Rescue Plan Act funding to build an annex onto the existing Franklin facility aimed at treating mental illness and substance abuse disorders.
The project broke ground in 2023 and will undergo its final inspection in the next few weeks.
Other successes include completing the first phase of a new virtual reality-based training center at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office; new courthouse windows and doors/maintenance and remodel; and the rejuvenation of Johnson County Courthouse Memorial and Fountain (“that hadn’t worked for at least 25 years,” he said); a new building for the Health Department and Coroner offices; and new campground RV sites at the Horse Park and General Park, among others.
“Challenges are continual and are dealt with on a daily basis,” Baird said. “What I have learned in lesson is the Listen, Communicate, and Collaborate through each individual challenge. The largest of these assets learned is to Listen.”
Looking forward to this year, Johnson County has plans to build a new Community Corrections Building that will include Adult Probation Offices; begin the second phase (final inspection) of the Virtual Reality Training Center at the Sheriff’s Department; and build new offices and a camp store at the Johnson County Park. These projects are already in their beginning stages.
The county is also turning its sights to upgrading the Horse Park and General Park, with plans to build new campground RV sites at both locations. Two new horse barns at the Horse Park are expected to be completed this summer; and the Johnson County Park is in planning stages for a new banquet facility, new bleachers, and the possibility of a small amphitheater area.
“[We] continue to look forward 20-25 years, hoping to put us into the best position for our citizens and our children and grandchildren,” Baird said. “We will need to see what the State Legislators pass as far as Bills that will affect our County Finances and our Home Rule Authority and go from there on several issues.”