Unapproved budget creates problems for commissioners
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

The agenda for the end-ofthe year Monday morning Carroll County Commissioners' meeting indicated county leaders would be approving contracts for county department heads, plus the commissioners' attorney. After the contracts arrived from the attorney's office, county auditor Beth Myers reported a council action that threw the proceedings into confusion.

Myers said the county received a letter from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance last week that recommended the county hold spending to the 2007 level until the 2008 budget is approved. She reported the council decided to follow that recommendation at last week's council meeting, which meant salaries would remain at 2007 levels for the time being.

Commissioners had not reviewed the contracts prior to the meeting and were stymied for a time to reach a solution. It was decided to approve the contracts with 2007 figures, with increases as determined in a 2008 approved budget, except in the cases when the 2008 figures were less than 2007 due to mathematical errors or budget reductions for 2008. County attorney Barry Emerson presented each contract separately for approval.

All contracts approved were for one year, except for Carroll Manor superintendent's contract, which was for four years. No one present could explain why the contract was for that length of time, however it was approved for the extended time period.

Other contracts approved were: • Attorney - Barry Emerson; • Courthouse custodian - Charles Appleton; • Courthouse assistant custodian - Sheryl Shockley; • Transfer station operator - Russell Smith; • Highway superintendent - Ron Francis; • EMS medical director - Dr. Marc Estes; • EMS director - Mike Durr; • E-911 coordinator - Jay D. Cree; and • Carroll Manor assistant superintendent - Diane Brown.

Carroll County resident David McDowell was named Emergency Management Agency Director, replacing Justin Darling, who left the position to become Delphi Chief of Police.

Doris McLeland and Jane Smith were appointed to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals and Clayton Hutson was appointed to the Alcoholic Beverage Board.

Meeting dates for 2008 were announced. They will be: Jan. 7 and 22; Feb. 4 and 18; March 3 and 17; April 7 and 21; May 5 and 19; June 2 and 16; July 7 and 21; Aug. 4 and 18; Sept. 2 and 15; Oct. 6 and 20; Nov. 3 and 17; and Dec. 1 and 15. All meetings will be at 9 a.m. in the commissioners' meeting room on the second floor of the courthouse unless otherwise reported.

Other business

The Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs extended the deadline for completion of the Carroll Manor renovation project from Dec. 31 to Feb. 29, 2008.

The next meeting will be Monday, Jan. 7 at 9 a.m. The drainage board is scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m.