Commissioners meet at request of council
Short agenda yet 60 percent unresolved
By Debbie Lowe Staff writer
Carroll County Commissioners were urged by county council to meet in special session to address over-spending issues and help stem the constant loss of tax dollars. The special meeting was held Thursday for three and a half hours, but three out of the five agenda items, or 60 percent, were left unresolved.

Council members Steve Ashby and Ann Brown attended the meeting. Brown, who is the chair of the council finance committee formed in January 2007 to address what appeared to be a significant financial situation, addressed commissioners before they began their work.

"We are here today to request that you (the commissioners) make decisions on several proposals to help Carroll County with the financial crunch that we are currently experiencing," Brown read from a prepared statement. "….Based on the taxes we pay and other incoming revenue from fees, we have become comfortable with having some things that we never should have enjoyed in the first place."

"…Without the understanding and agreement of the commissioners, we cannot move forward to solve our financial problems," Brown concluded. "Therefore, we are here today to make requests for your consideration to heal the financial wounds of our county."

"It's imperative everybody realize this is serious," Ashby added. "It's not pleasant. We have to go the rest of the way."

Carroll Manor

Commissioners raised the rates at Carroll Manor to $56 per day for all residents. The action will not become effective for 45 days. In the meantime, Manor superintendent Martha Lewis was directed to bring a graduated rate scale to the April 7 commissioners meeting. Lewis insisted there are at least five of the 20 residents the action would affect who will not be able to pay the increased amount. Residents are currently paying $28/day.

According to council finance committee members Ann Brown, Steve Ashby and Ron Slavens it costs approximately $56/day to house, feed and provide for the 20 residents (Lewis reported 21 residents, however one is on state assistance). At the current rate, the county is subsidizing the facility at approximately $211,700/year which translates to $17,642/month or $580/day.

Commissioners president Loren Hylton noted that when at capacity when the space is increased due to the installation of the elevator (not yet completed), the cost per resident to fully fund the facility would be $31/day. Brown said Hylton was using figures based on a 12-month period, which would be misleading given one-third of the year was already gone.

Resident Larry Trapp clarified that the facility was not at capacity. He said it was not fair to the sheriff and EMS departments to continue to use taxpayer dollars to subsidize the non-essential services.

Council candidate Scott Ayres suggested that if the home could not be filled at the previous cost of $25/day, it was unrealistic to expect all the beds would be filled at any higher cost.

Flora Clerk-Treasurer Joretta Tinsman suggested the land around the Manor was not as important to the community as ambulance service and urged commissioners to sell the land.

"Carroll County is a business and it's ready to go to bankruptcy," she said.

Tinsman urged commissioners to liquidate the land. She offered to contact Indiana Packers Corporation representatives to initiate negotiations. Hylton replied that he has contacted IPC in the past three months for that purpose.

Custodian contract

Commissioners signed a new contract with Sheryl Shockley to become the full-time custodian and Chuck Appleton to be a part-time worker, effectively switching their positions. The contract is effective April 1.

Appleton has earned 178 hours of compensatory time, three weeks of vacation and one personal day. He will accrue more vacation before the action would become effective. Unless he takes some of the time off, Appleton will be paid for all he has accumulated per the county personnel policy.

Health insurance

Commissioners tabled the discussion about health insurance to consult with their agent of record, Cindy Finkenbinder. She will appear at the April 7 meeting.

The council recommended commissioners reduce coverage to employees only. Currently coverage is offered for employees' families.

A question arose about the ability to change the current policy before the end of the year.

Commissioners attorney Barry Emerson advised changing the policy mid-year would be "unfair" to employees.

Deer Creek Park

No action was taken to liquidate the county asset. However Carroll County Park Board President Bob Burton learned the $5,000 appropriated in the budget was for French Post Park, not including Deer Creek Park.

Burton said he expected to increase revenue in 2008 with more advertising and signage. Council member Rob Baker noted the council has heard the same claims for at least two years and the goals never reach fruition.

"I'm not in favor of selling assets until I see a padlock on the courthouse door," commissioner George Mears said.

Cumulative Bridge Fund

Council requested commissioners defer partial payment of the $675,000 loan from the account made in January to have enough equity in the general fund to pay county claims. Brown said it was a recommendation from the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance to classify $350,000 of the total borrowed as a "public works project loan" to be paid back at a later date. The balance of the loan would be paid back by Dec. 31.

Commissioners took no action on the matter.

"I don't see any give and take," commissioner Bill Brown said.

Prosecutor Tricia Thompson argued that if the deferment happened, the measure would give the council an extra $350,000 and would allow the county to employ more deputies. The current plan is for three deputy positions to be defunded.

Slavens explained the money was already spent and was not available for redirection. He said the county started 2008 with a deficit of approximately $300,000 and if the county finished the year with a zero balance, it would have to borrow money Jan. 1, 2009, to pay claims.

Asked what would happen if commissioners failed to act on this recommendation, Ashby said they would have to decrease the 2008 budget ($5 million) by $675,000 rather than $350,000.

The next commissioners meeting will be April 7 at 9 a.m.

Council will meet March 31. County financial advisors H.J. Umbaugh and Associates will present a recommendation. Representatives from the Redevelopment Commission, which controls the tax increment financing district, will also appear for a discussion.