Council will address long-term money plan with DLGF
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer
Carroll County Council has initiated a public meeting with the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) set for today, Wednesday, at 1 p.m. The goal of the meeting is to develop a plan to reverse poor money management practices of the past four years.

Cripe

"We've got to do something now," said council president Nancy S. Cripe. "We can't rely on short-term fixes - we must develop a long-term plan."

Cripe said when the council asked DLGF for the meeting, the first date offered was today. The decision was made to seize the opportunity to meet with an expert. She said although the proposed meeting time was when the courthouse would normally be closed (courthouse employees work a 36-hour work week and the courthouse is closed every Wednesday afternoon) it was decided it was imperative to meet as soon as possible.

DLGF Indiana East Supervisor Dan Eggermann will participate in an exchange of information with the council and the auditor. (Cripe said treasurer Jane Brewington was invited to attend but had not responded to an invitation to participate at the time of the interview.) DLGF is expected to help council members develop a long-term plan designed to establish positive forward momentum to correct deficit county spending.

Cripe said the public is encouraged to attend and sit and listen quietly, but not to participate in the work session. Time to comment will be provided after the council and DLGF finish their discussion without interruption.

"I think we need to be as open as we can," Cripe said. "We want taxpayers and residents to understand that we're trying to solve the problem. We want people to have confidence in that."

Cripe said the council needs advice from DLGF in order to develop and then proceed with a plan of action. She said there was a limit to the amount of times the council could approve inter-fund loans to be able to pay the monthly bills. Two loans have been approved so far…one from the cumulative bridge fund for more than $600,000 and one from the Tax Increment Finance Fund for over $400,000.

The public should use the north doors to enter the courthouse Wednesday for the meeting.