Board of Public Works & Safety

Board of Public Works & Safety

The Board of Public Works & Safety has broad statutory grants of power to enable it to carry out their functions.  The public safety function includes law enforcement & fire protection while the public works function includes control over streets and sanitation.  In addition, the BPW&S approves and maintains some contractual agreements in which the city enters. 


Cities with populations of 7,000 such as North Vernon, are designated third class cities and are required by state law to have a Board of Public Works and Safety. The mayor is a member of the Board, and he appoints two other persons to serve with him. Current PBW&S are Mayor Mike Ochs, Jerry Lamb and Trent Wisner.  The fire chief, police chief and city engineer, who are appointed by the mayor, also work in conjunction with the members of the Board of Public Works.

Items of business to be placed on the BPW&S agenda must be in the Clerk-Treasurer's Office by 4:00 p.m. the day prior to the Board meeting.

The following items of business must be approved by majority vote from the BPW&S at a public meeting. 

  • Contractual agreements that bind the city
  • Closing a street for a foot race, parade, block party, etc.
  • Use of city facilities for a meeting or event

For all Public Works meeting minutes from the previous year, please visit Meeting Agenda & Minutes page. If you have any questions about the information contained on these pages or further questions about Public Board of Works and Safety meeting "Notices," "Agendas," and "Minutes" please contact the Clerk-Treasurer's Office.

Board of Public Works & Safety meetings are advertised and opened to the public and scheduled on an as needed basis.

Meetings are held at: 
Carnegie Government Center
143 East Walnut Street
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Coming Soon:  LIVE Board of BPW&S meetings (when in session)