MUNCIE, Ind. — On Wednesday March 25, an interlocal drone base agreement previously introduced to Muncie City Council appeared before Muncie Board of Works. The agreement was only listed on the meeting agenda as “City of Muncie Lease Agreement with Delaware County.”

Prior to this meeting, it appeared as a resolution for city council that was tabled by a 6-3 vote, with council-members Dale Basham, Jerry Dishman, and Jeff Green voting against the decision. Resolution 4-26 stated that the agreement was a five-year agreement with Muncie and Delaware County, the latter would would have “no financial obligation” for the county while Muncie would be responsible for all costs as well as future legal liabilities. Delaware County according to the tabled agreement “shall retain the right to review and approve all proposed mounting designs.”

The agreement was also voted down at the Delaware County Commissioners’ meeting March 16 after being tabled previously.

Audio from the eight-minute Board of Works livestreamed meeting is unavailable, and the agenda for the morning meeting contained no mention of the agreement having to do with the drone base proposed to the city and county. The agreement that was voted on Wednesday has a two-year term and the city would still be covering pertinent costs, according to newsman Rick Yencer.

The decision also comes after a recent “State of Our Community” event held on March 5, where Delaware County Commissioner Stephen Brand said that Indiana is one of two states that federal officials want to use as testing grounds for drone usage. Brand also said he would like to see drones manufactured in the county.