Council to pursue property tax increase...for now
By Debbie Lowe

There were enough residents who signed petitions opposing an increase in property taxes initiated by Carroll County Council to initiate a hearing with the Indiana State Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF).

Although it seemed to be the will of the council at the August meeting to back out of the increase if there was sufficient opposition to it, a different collective opinion prevailed at the Friday morning meeting.

County auditor Beth Myers reported nine petitions were received opposing the tax increase. She said 207 names were submitted and 19 were denied. Myers said 188 names on the petitions were verified by her office.

Myers stated she was submitting the results to the DLGF on Friday.

The condition of the county jail and what to do about it was the impetus for the tax increase. The accumulated funds would be held in a cumulative capital improvement fund, but not be strictly designated for jail improvements and/or replacement.

"There will be a pay day," council member Carl Abbott said about not having a nest egg. "If we don't do something, we will be forced to pay by the state and federal."

Calling the situation a "case of misinformation," Abbott was vocal about the lack of attendance by the petitioners at the meetings when the tax increase was being discussed. He asked Marlene Joseph, one petitioner in the audience, why the other 187 people who signed the petitions were not present at the council meeting. Joseph said at the meeting that one

concern of those opposed to the increase in property tax for jail improvements was that no one seemed to have control over the jail for maintenance issues.

"That there hasn't been adequate maintenance at the jail over the years isn't the issue," said council president Rob Baker.

"Doing nothing about the jail is not an option," council member Ann Brown added.

"I don't like it either that for 25 years, for whatever reason, maintenance hasn't been done," Abbott said.

Council member Jerry Hendress suggested to Joseph that those unhappy with an increase in property tax for jail improvements attend the commissioners' meeting to register their complaint about the lack of upkeep at the facility.

Delphi resident Joanne Germond, also opposed to the tax increase, suggested council members hold a public meeting at the high school to help residents understand the need for the increase.

Myers said an article appeared in the Comet about the increase, which created confusion in the community. She said she received calls and "had to clarify."

When discussion turned to whether to proceed with the increase and attend a hearing, or to rescind the proposed ordinance, Abbott recommended not backing down.

"I say we go the next step," he declared.

The consensus of council members was to follow that recommendation with the understanding that obtaining outside legal counsel could be needed to represent the county in the matter.

The DLGF will set a hearing date after receiving the verified results of the petitions.

In a Comet interview later Friday, Baker stated, "I am not in favor of spending (taxpayer) money to save (taxpayer) money. The feeling of the council is if we find out the expenditure is too great to proceed, we will no doubt vote to stop the process. The cost for this will be legal cost," he added.

Sheriff's department

Sheriff Dennis Randle was granted $15,000 in additional appropriations for medical expenses and $20,000 for jail meals.

He explained another request for $20,000 for automotive supplies was needed for fuel. That request was reduced to $12,000.

When questioned by Baker, Randle said he had not asked deputies to cut back on off-duty personal use of county vehicles. He said it was because they are on call every day, all day, "and it's part of their benefit package."

"We're talking recreational use of the county's vehicles though," Abbott said.

"We asked if they'd work with us and you said no," Baker told Randle before the vote to decrease the amount requested by $8,000.

Other business

The Carroll County Chamber of Commerce was appropriated $35,000 out of the Riverboat Gambling fund for operation expenses.

"We are fiscally sound," chamber representative Dick Bradshaw said. "We've managed our money well."

He reported there are approximately 95 members, with a 2006 goal of 100.

The group employs a full-time director and will hire a full-time assistant.Bradshaw said the chamber plans to relocate the office due to growth.

Transfers:

+ Soil and water - $150 from printing to copier maintenance;

+ Circuit court - $1,400 from liability insurance to furniture and fixtures;

+ Emergency Management Agency - $400 from uniforms to training classes;

+ Superior court - $3,000 from psychological and expert witness to law books;

+ County extension office - $200 from youth council to 4-H youth program; and

+ County highway - $2,250 from road equipment to contractual services and machines.

The next meeting will be Nov. 3 at 8 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room on the second floor of the courthouse.