County clerk sacrifices staff position to aid financial situation
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Clerk Laura Sterrett decided there was something she could do to help overcome an expected shortfall between county expenses and county income when the full time second deputy in her office submitted a resignation. She decided she would do without one fulltime position and make do with part-time help. Part-time workers receive no benefits, which can become a costly burden to county finances.

Sterrett's plan was unanimously accepted by council members at their July 31 evening meeting.

However at the same meeting county commissioners proposed a decrease in veterans' burial benefits from $1,000 to $250 and council members could not agree that this was the appropriate course of action.

Commissioners' president Loren Hylton said many surrounding counties, such as Tippecanoe, only contribute $100 for burial expenses for veterans. He said Carroll County paid $1,000 per veteran in 2006. There were 40 veterans buried, making the total spent $40,000.

Council president Rob Baker and member Carl Abbott both spoke in favor of keeping the $1,000 rate at least until the 2008 budget year.

"I'd like to see some things ride this year," Baker said.

Abbott wanted input from Veterans' Services Administrator Bob Morrow before a decision was made.

Steve Ashby and Ron Slavens strongly disagreed with that philosophy.

"When you're up against the wall, you have to make some tough choices," Ashby said. "This is a classic example of why we're in the shape we're in."

"It's a lot easier to say yes than it is to say no," he added.

Slavens, who advocated a de- crease to $100 per veteran, moved to table the issue until the next meeting.

However, the council declined to schedule an August business meeting. Dates were set for budget hearings, and although there was discussion about setting a date for an August meeting, by consensus, no date was set.

Budget hearings were scheduled for Aug. 20 and 21 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. These hearings are for council members to listen to and ask question of department heads.

Budget discussion and setting the proposed 2008 budget will be Sept. 11 and 13 from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Department heads will be invited to review their proposed budgets after those dates. Sept. 25 was scheduled for department heads to ask questions and comment on their proposed 2008 budgets. Adoption by vote will be Sept. 26 at 8 a.m. and the September council meeting will be held directly following adoption.

Finance committee

Chair Ann Brown announced the 2006 audit was near completion and exit conferences are expected to be held in mid-August.

Auditor's reports

Beth Myers distributed a binder containing budget requests for 2008. She also distributed a monthly financial statement, monthly comparison report, a revenue and expense statement and a report depicting Emergency Medical Services ambulance run receipts for 2005, 2006 and up to July of this year.

She announced the governor extended the deadline for counties to adopt a local option income tax for property tax relief to Oct. 1, 2007.

Animal control

Slavens was named alternate council representative to the Carroll County Animal Control Commission. The commission is scheduled to meet Aug. 8 but Brown, who is the formal appointee, will be unavailable for the meeting. The meeting will be in Camden.

EDC

Carroll County Economic Development Corporation Director Daryl Smith distributed an annual report. Slavens suggested the council meet with commissioners and EDC to discuss Economic Development Income Tax disbursements to EDC. He said that although EDIT money is controlled by the commissioners, council sets the tax rate and therefore has partial control over the money.

"It's time to look at that," Smith agreed.

However, no action was taken to schedule a time for the joint meeting.