Council juggles money
Payroll will be met…other bills on hold
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer

County council members played a strategic game of what bills to pay immediately and what bills could wait at their Friday morning meeting. In the afternoon, they heard comments and criticism from department heads and employees about spending decisions made in previous years and those in the future. The afternoon session was similar to what they heard from other county employees at an all-day Wednesday meeting. Approval for funding the upcoming county payroll received no hesitation. Auditor Beth Myers reported the general fund contained enough money for payroll. However, there was not enough money in the general fund for all the claims presented or anticipated bills such as the sheriff's retirement pension and service contracts.

Council voted to delay payments of the other claims and bills, including the utility bills, to avoid borrowing from other funds.

"All this we're borrowing comes off the $5 million budget," council member Steve Ashby said.

Myers was asked to provide a spreadsheet of projected expenses through June at or before the next council meeting, which was scheduled for today, Wednesday, at 8 a.m. Council member Ron Slavens requested a copy of the claims also be given to each council member for the meeting.

Highway Department

Superintendent Ron Francis was granted a $35,569.77 additional appropriation for the Lancaster Covered Bridge Project. Francis explained the highway department, not funded by the general fund, contains $498,635.13 in cash, a $250,000 certificate of deposit, and an expected $532,418 income into the cumulative bridge account in 2008. He further explained the county would not be eligible for federal aid for any project, bridge or road, until the past bill was paid. The payment was approved out of the covered bridge fund.

Francis said due to the January floods, the county accrued bills for $11,773.11 in landfill fees, $1,978 for transfer station, and $12,867.26 in fuel costs. He said 30 roads were washed out which cost $10,519.95 for repair materials and seven hard-surfaced roads were damaged with a repair price tag of approximately $7,500. A large culvert was damaged which will cost approximately $130,000 for a complete repair. Labor for the flooding event cost the county $34,588.54.

He said the grand total of floodrelated cost to the county as of Feb. 22 was $103,326.86.

"That's a lot more than my budget can handle, obviously," he said.

Auditor's report

Myers reported the county general fund line item balanced with the treasurer's office. She said she and treasurer Jane Brewington "have been working together" and that a statement from the independent consultant hired to help the two offices balance the accounts indicated errors continue to exist in the treasurer's office.

Myers presented a Jan. 8 treasurer's report.

Council voted unanimously to include the auditor in formal meetings with the council finance committee and the Indiana State Board of Accounts (SBOA). Brewington will also be invited to participate.

Slavens received clarification the finance committee would be invited to participate in meetings between the auditor and the SBOA.

Myers was directed to send a letter to a county employee who owes $712.66 for personal calls on a county-provided cellular telephone. She said the employee received a letter in June of 2006 and paid $125 on the existing bill at that time. No more payments have been received. The employee will be given until March 31 to honor the obligation.

Personnel policy

Council member Rob Baker reported the county personnel policy was sent to a Muncie firm to review. The firm responded with a letter of engagement to write a new manual and then review it with department heads for clarification and answer questions. Baker said the cost for the service would be between $8,000 and $12,000.

Although council members agreed to proceed with the letter of engagement, employees in the audience were not in agreement.

Jailer Jon Randle asked why commissioners attorney Barry Emerson was not involved with the process. Francis complained that employees were not going to have decision-making powers in the process.

Council president Nancy Cripe responded that she did not think it was appropriate for employees to make policy governing themselves.

"There are laws to cover all of this," Baker explained.

"The bottom line is, we have to abide by the laws," Ashby said. "This is to protect the taxpayers."

Baker said the document would be reviewed by Emerson when it is completed.

"It's not only protecting the county, the employees, too," he said.

Baker said commissioners should be involved in the process. Commissioners president Loren Hylton, in the audience, said the matter could be presented to the board of commissioners but he "wouldn't commit" for George Mears and Bill Brown who were not present.

Other business

E-911 director Jay Dee Cree was given permission to replace a full-time dispatcher. The decision was tabled at the last council meeting. Cree urged council members when making budget reductions in personnel to reduce the number of non-essential employees before a reduction of essential employees is made.

Zoning administrator Dale Huffer announced department secretary, Kathy Mylet, was recommended by the Area Plan Commission to replace him when he retires. A request to hire a replacement secretary was tabled until the next council meeting. Commissioners will formally decide whom to appoint as the next zoning administrator at the Monday morning commissioners meeting.

Leonard Lavin and Joann Vianco were appointed to the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals. Each will be paid for the work.

Additional appropriations of $1,624.30 for smoke detectors in the courthouse and $12,000 for reassessment were approved.

Rex Wilson from Delphi America Legion urged council members to fully fund the veteran's office in the courthouse. He said it was imperative the office be open regular hours.

"If not for the veterans this meeting would not be happening," he said.

Ashby noted that Logansport opened a new veterans administration office. Slavens said the office in Tippecanoe County made "substantial" changes to be able to enable them to help with other counties' veterans, as well as their own.

"Why should we drive to Logansport?" asked veteran Pete Kuns.

Kuns said they should "respect veterans" more than they are presently doing.

The next council meeting will be today, Wednesday, at 8 a.m. Another meeting will be March 17 at 1:30 p.m.