Different dairy, same concerns
Dairies debated again at commissioners meeting
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

Carroll County Commissioners met for more than four hours Monday night, however relatively few decisions were made. What the three elected county leaders experienced was another marathon session of disgruntled and concerned county residents voicing disapproval of the encroachment of dairies in the county and the lack of control over the situation exercised by commissioners.

Local attorney Courtney Justice, who represented those opposed to the construction of the second dairy, Optima Dairy, planned for Liberty Township, presented three action plans for commissioners to consider. In addition to the plans, testimony was given from residents, a local physician and a Purdue professor, and an indictment was made against the Carroll County Economic Development Corporation for "inviting" dairies into the county under the guise of being good for the county.

"I fear for the health of all in Carroll County," local physician Dr. Tom Anderson told commissioners.

"The soils are just not the right kind of soils for this," Dr. Daryl Leap of Purdue said. "This is a bad way to do things."

County resident Lisa Henry was more direct with commissioners' president Loren Hylton.

"You need to step down," Henry told Hylton. "You are wrong."

At one point in the meeting, more than one audience member exploded in anger. They shouted at commissioners in indignation and the shouts were returned by at least one county leader sitting on the dais.

"Get out! Get out! Get out!" Bill Brown yelled as he pointed at one audience member.

The offending audience members were escorted out of or left the meeting room.

The first proposed action plan presented by Justice included a request for an immediate moratorium and suspension of all construction or operation of any CAFO, to immediately cease any use of public funds by EDC to solicit or promote pending or future CAFOs and to consult with outside counsel to take all lawful measures to prevent construction of CAFOs pending the amendment of Section 23 of the zoning ordinance.

The second action plan called for Hylton to remove himself from any discussions, which would allow the proposed Optima Dairy to build in Washington Township. Justice presented a copy of the contract Hylton signed with the facility in May to allow the dairy to apply manure on his fields.

The third action plan called for commissioners' attorney Barry Emerson to exclude himself from any discussions which would lead to a commissioners' decision about the dairy. Justice alleged Emerson represented the landowner in the sale of the land to the diary and was therefore in conflict of interest. Emerson said he did represent the landowners and would disqualify himself if an Optima Dairy matter would come before the commissioners or drainage board.

George Mears disputed a chemical analysis presented by Leap. He accused the professor of "jumbling a lot of figures to scare the public."

Mary Susan Brown of Washington Township suggested commissioners revisit the special exception concept for gaining county approval for CAFOs. Hylton countered by saying he believed the same rules should apply to everyone without exception.

After two hours, no action was taken and no decisions were made.

Highway department

A suggestion by council member Nancy Cripe to amend the county snow removal policy was dismissed. Cripe suggested snow be allowed to accumulate to three inches in depth before a full snow crew was called out to work overtime to clear county roads.

"My personal recommendation is to leave it the way it is," highway superintendent Ron Francis said.

"I'd like to see us continue the same policy," commissioner Brown said.

No action was taken to change the policy.

Brown asked Francis to clarify his 2008 budget request for fuel that was identical to the 2007 request, although fuel prices were expected to increase. Francis had to request transfers at the last council meeting from several other line items to be able to pay for fuel recently purchased.

Francis explained there was no extra money to put in the line item for fuel. He said his strategy was to try to under spend funds from other line items, with the intent of transferring from those line items into fuel if they are not depleted.

Brown then turned to council member Steve Ashby, who was in the audience, and asked him how that strategy was wrong for the county, as he was recently quoted for saying. Ashby stressed the need for department heads to use realistic numbers in budget presentations.

Auditor Beth Myers said the council asked department heads to not spend all funds in each line item to be able to make up deficits in other line items. She said it was difficult for department heads to know what to do when conflicting opinions were received from the council.

Ashby replied the county could not be doing the budget the same way it has been done in the past.

"I'm done," Brown said to end the discussion.

No action was taken on two bridge replacement proposals presented by Francis for bridges #129 and #1643. When questioned, Francis said he would encumber the amounts needed for each project from the 2007 budget.

Bids for road materials were opened and accepted.

Francis distributed a document with highway department fees comparisons for White, Tippecanoe, Cass and Clinton counties. Francis recommended Carroll County fees be adjusted to reflect those of Tippecanoe County.

Animal Control

Sheriff Tony Burns reported the animal control commission has been unable to organize sufficiently to begin to provide services in January.

"There will be no animal control services in the county until at least the next meeting on March 12," he said.

Mears said animal control would "be better run by the county."

Burns again recommended commissioners consider a tax for pets. No action was taken.

Property tax rebate

Ordinance 2007-09 was adopted to allow the auditor and treasurer to apply rebates to delinquent property tax bills.

County health insurance

Hylton reported he discovered the health savings plan presented by Flora Clerk- Treasurer Joretta Tinsman to be more expensive than the county's current plan.

"They're paying a lot more than the county," he said.

Hylton further reported that the current benefits carrier has suffered a "significant loss ratio for 2007" with the county due to employee claims. It is expected the premiums to increase significantly.

Myers said the county was recently rejected by five different carriers due to the loss ratio.

Other business

An appeal for a Monroe Township assistance application denial was set for hearing Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room.

Appointments of Doris McLeland and Jane Smith to the PTABOA Board were tabled pending additional information.

The Beef Barn at the fairgrounds will be repaired for $300 by Whispering Pine Construction.

Delphi VFW will have a sign on courthouse grounds Dec. 15-22.

The FFA Barn will be used Dec. 19 for Christmas With the Animals.

Deputy coroner Jay Dee Cree was recognized for 12 years of service.

The next meeting will be Jan. 7 at 9 a.m.