Carroll County Commissioners decided to hold night meetings several years ago to accommodate those who wanted to attend but could not because they worked during the day. Quarterly night meetings were first scheduled and then night meetings in the even-numbered months were held. The schedule was changed at the Monday morning commissioners meeting.

“I don’t see any reason we don’t just do them all in the morning,” Bill Brown said.

Citing the lack of community support and attendance at evening meetings, security issues and the cost associated with keeping the courthouse open past regular courthouse hours, commissioners voted to hold business meetings at 9 a.m. on the first and third Mondays of every month.

Officers election

Loren Hylton was elected commissioner president and Bill Brown vice president. Pat Clawson was elected to serve on the county board of finance.

Brown was elected president of the county drainage board. Kim Cripe was appointed as secretary.

Commissioners’ attorney Kurtis Fouts resigned from the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission.

Highway Department

Highway engineer Paul Couts was encouraged to develop the 2010 road plan within the next several months.

“We really need to look at the roads with higher amounts of traffic,” Clawson said.

Clawson said maintenance efforts should be focused on the major collectors given the lack of adequate road funding to service all roads. He suggested Couts work to develop a 20-year road plan. Commissioners will hold a special meeting to allow residents to provide input for the plan. No date was set.

Other business

Former commissioners attorney Barry T. Emerson was presented with a commemorative gift for serving the county in the same position since 1981. “It’s been a pleasure serving the present commissioners and all of those before you,” Emerson said. “It’s really been a learning experience.”

Contracts with Verizon and Indigital for E-911 service and equipment and maintenance were approved. The five-year contract with Indigital and the one-year Verizon contract are effectively immediately.

E-911 director Jay Dee Cree said the contracts together replace the former one with AT&T. He said the cost for service decreased from roughly $551,000 to less than $200,000 with the provider change. Cree said with the advent of cell phones which are assessed a lower user fee for the service, revenue from landline charges is expected to continue to decrease as it has in the past few years.

A $7,250 contract was approved for Phase II software certification for tax computation and assessed valuation testing for the county auditor and assessor’s offices. Auditor Beth Myers reported certification of county software was a state requirement. She said the contract cost will be shared between the two offices.

A brief explanation about the Experience Works program was provided. The program employs low-income workers 55 years old or older who are currently out of work in public works positions. Presenter Diana Spalding said the program was initiated in 1964 by U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and called “Green Thumb” at that time.

Tri Kappa & Arts of Carroll County will use the courthouse and have a sign on the lawn May 8.

Lynn Corson was appointed to the Rural Conservation Development Council.

Council member Ron Slavens was appointed to the Northwest Indiana Solid Waste District Board of Directors. Nancy S. Cripe of the county council will be the alternate representative.

The next meeting will be Jan. 18 at 9 a.m.