Face time! It was a new look for some old faces as council members, along with council secretary, auditor Beth Myers, began a new tradition Tuesday morning as they sat at the meeting table and faced the audience. The change was announced in January and instigated by new council president Ann Brown. Seated, from left to right, are Myers, Ron Slavens, Brown, Nancy Cripe, Marion Huffer, Jerry Hendress, Scott Ayres and Carl Abbott. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe Although they are responsible for funding county services and programs using taxpayer dollars, Carroll County Council members learned at their Tuesday morning meeting they may have little say in whether a new tax increment financing (TIF) district is formed in the county. They also learned the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission is considering a new TIF district at the location of the former Gray's Turkey Farm on US421 south of Delphi.

Redevelopment attorney Barry Emerson explained the steps used to form a TIF district. The explanation was requested by the council at the January meeting.

He said a declaratory resolution would be passed by the commission, which would be reviewed by the county area plan commission. APC would determine if a commercial site would conform and comply with land use.

County commissioners would then approve or disapprove the district formation. Upon their approval the redevelopment commission would adopt a confirmatory plan which would become a resolution.

"So, we have no say so," council member Carl Abbott stated.

Emerson answered in the affirmative. He said the council could be asked to support a bond to pay for infrastructure to the site, i.e. water and sewage. Emerson said the process could, but did not have to include the council.

"More than likely, the council would be involved in that way," Emerson said.

Emerson said if the current TIF district, which included the land IPC occupies, was dissolved, the additional tax money generated from the improvements to the land and the buildings would not equate to additional county funding. He explained it would be used to reduce property taxpayers' overall tax obligation.

"There is no new money," he said.

Council members noted businesses in TIF districts receive taxpayer funded services, such as police, fire and ambulance, but do not contribute additional tax dollars as they grow to help fund those services. Emerson said when the current TIF district was established in 1992, it was regarded to "be the seed that would generate economic growth."

Ron Slavens noted although the redevelopment commission pays a bond payment of roughly $500,000 a year and is due to retire the bond in 2011, it receives $675,000 each year and has a surplus of more than $1 million. He complained the county is unable to use any surplus for emergency services.

Emerson said Slavens' statement is true. He said commission members have no plan to use the surplus tax-generated dollars for any project.

"When are TIF districts established?" Scott Ayres asked.

"You would want to establish the TIF district and then make improvements," Emerson explained.

Emerson urged council members to keep an open mind about a potential new TIF district.

"I think it's premature to start thinking about how you can oppose this," Emerson said.

Financial report

President Ann Brown announced at the January meeting, each month a council member will review the financial reports provided by the county auditor prior to the meeting and report to the group. Slavens provided the February report.

He said income from the ambulance service was the same this year in January as last year. However, Carroll Manor received approximately $4,000 less this year than last.

Slavens said it is imperative for the council to monitor all funds monthly to understand exactly how county finances are faring. As an example, he explained county revenue loss from interest income is roughly $36,000 this year, however that could be due to timing of reports rather than actual figures.

"We need to do planning to make sure all expenses are covered," Slavens advised.

Highway department

Highway engineer Paul Couts was given permission to hire a truck driver to replace one who was on disability last year and recently left county employment. Couts said the 771 miles of county road required at least one driver in each of the 17 districts.

"The system we have is working well," he said. "We need the position filled to be able to handle the snow."

Jerry Hendress urged Couts to "look at every project for need rather than want" before making a request.

Other business

Slavens reported on last week's trustees meeting concerning the ambulance service. Brown reported the committee established last November to reduce ambulance services costs and to consider funding options had not met this year. She said the committee would examine ways for the service to reduce expenses if possible while providing services.

"We must plan beyond the immediate," she said. "We need long-term planning."

"We have to maintain what we've budgeted," Abbott added.

Lisa Hollingsworth was appointed to the Camden Public Library Board.

A transfer request by Carroll County Area Plan for $70 into meetings and seminars from ordinance/plan community update was approved in a five-to-one vote. Hendress voted against the transfer. He said the zoning administrator did not request a 2009 budget appropriation for meetings and seminars. He further objected to the measure because she attended the seminar before requesting the transfer.

"Wouldn't she make this request before she went to the seminar?" he asked. "We can't let them spend the money before they come in and ask for it. The procedure is wrong."

Encumbrances for $2,940 for the morgue, $8,739 for underground storage tanks and $235,000 for courthouse maintenance for roof repair and building tuck point work, all from the cumulative capital fund account, were approved. Auditor Beth Myers said she failed to put encumbrances on the January meeting agenda.

Additional appropriations for $29,980 and $16,432.31 from family and children for preservation services and children's psychological residential treatment were approved. An additional request for $1,000 from cum cap for Veteran's Office computers was reduced to $800 and approved. Council members noted the veterans' administrator originally requested the lower amount, but it was increased by county commissioners.

The next finance committee meeting is Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. The next council meeting is March 17 at 3:30 p.m.