The decision was made to put county non-elected supervisory personnel under contract for 2010 at the Dec. 21 Carroll County Commissioners meeting but that decision was rescinded at the most recent meeting held Monday morning. Although the contract issued to veterans services director Larry Leach was signed and returned promptly, those for health department workers and the zoning administrator were rescinded due to controversy. However, questions about the inner workings of the health department continued to plague commissioners.

Health department workers took their concerns about contractual requirements to the board of health at the board’s Jan. 13 meeting (*see County health board rejects contracts). Board of health members present at the meeting, Dr. Alvan Eller, Dr. Lawrence Stauffer, Dr. Marilyn Wagoner, Angie Brown and Mary Blue supported the rejection of the commissioners’ requirement. It was stated at the meeting that board members perceived that commissioners’ intent was to bypass their authority to manage the department. Board members John Sayers and Krista Watson were not present.

At the Monday morning meeting, commissioners agreed that it was not their goal to micro-manage the department. By the end of the meeting, they again expressed concerns about some department policies and procedures.

“I never had any intent to supersede the authority of the board of health,” commissioner Bill Brown said. “My focus was to get a better definition of the roles and responsibilities of the employees. I have no problem with not continuing the conversation.”

Commissioners attorney Kurtis Fouts said he received a letter from the county area plan commission attorney Cynthia Harmon in objection to the contract for the zoning administrator. He further explained the state statute “sets out the relationship between the health department and county government” and said that contracts would “muddy the water.” He recommended no contracts be required for the health department workers or the zoning administrator.

“We are really employees of the county and willing to work with the commissioners,” health officer Dr. Jordan Dutter said.

He mentioned that the board of health reappointed two members to its board at last week’s meeting. Commissioners decided to address the appointments later in their meeting, given no written documentation was provided and the appointments did not appear on their meeting agenda.

When the subject was revisited, Fouts explained commissioners are required by law to “approve the action of the board.” He said the county leaders are required to “certify” the appointment of the health officer, according to Indiana Code. Dutter, whose term ended Dec. 31, was also reappointed for another four-year term at the Jan. 13 board of health meeting. Fouts said he would research the definition of “certify” after auditor Beth Myers said that in “Here’s Your Indiana Government,” a publication of Indiana Chamber of Commerce, it is written that the commissioners are required to “approve and certify” the appointment of the health officer. County council member Ann Brown added that “certify” and “approve” were synonyms according to the dictionary. No action was taken about the reported appointments.

After reviewing the annual report provided in the commissioners packet prior to the meeting, Bill Brown questioned why the board of health recommended the county employ a sanitary and waste systems inspector to provide fewer inspections due to a lesser county need. He stated he thought there was not enough work for a full-time inspector.

Pat Clawson remarked that inspections could be done by an independent contractor when necessary. He said that could result in a cost savings for taxpayers.

Council member Brown reported that it was incorrectly written in the board of health minutes for the Oct. 14 meeting that the health department “loaned the $40,000 in March 2009.”

“The health department borrowed the $40,000 in an inter-departmental loan between their own two funds because they ran out of money last year,” Brown advised. “It should be changed in the minutes because that just is not correct.”

Myers concurred with Brown that the minutes were not accurate. Commissioners requested a copy of the 2009 quarterly board minutes to review.

Employee health insurance

County employees will be responsible for less deductible and co-pay costs in 2010 for the same payroll contribution as in 2009 for health insurance. Commissioners voted to offer a health savings account plan which would increase the county obligation by 4.5 percent but keep employee costs stable. A second plan is available to accommodate those with higher medication bills. Health insurance agent Cindy Finkenbinder will conduct employee meetings within 10 days to explain each plan prior to enrollment.

Highway department

Ron Francis presented a bill for $23,691.25 from Beutler Fairman and Seifert for inspection services for the Carrollton Bridge. He said the state would reimburse the county for 80 percent of the cost. Francis reported that the services were not able to be performed when expected due to the 2008 flooding.

Commissioners adopted a resolution to allow the highway department to use new computer generated accounting and resource tracking forms consistent with new bookkeeping software and with State Board of Accounts requirements.

Stop signs will replace yield signs on CR600E. A four-way stop will be instituted at the intersection of CR575N. and CR600E. Highway engineer Paul Couts reported the measure was necessary because a recently constructed pole barn was built on the southeastern corner of the intersection and “severely restricts” the visibility of drivers at the corner.

Commissioners encouraged Couts to continue to work to resolve Burrows crossing issues with the Norfolk and Southern Railroad.

Other business

Monty Edging, Larry Trapp and Kurtis Fouts were re-appointed to the Carroll County Redevelopment Commission. Delphi Community School Corporation board member Robert Resler was re-appointed as a nonvoting member. Clawson, Ralph Hughes and Jay Bush were re-appointed to the redevelopment authority.

Commissioners approved a resolution to proceed with the sale of delinquent property taxes. According to Glen Luedtke of SRI Inc., 52 properties amounting to $279,345.25 in unpaid taxes will be sold. A minimum cost of $130 was set for any property sold.

Zoning administrator Kathy Mylet presented the 2009 annual report.

Katrina Coghill of Elect Staffing presented a proposal for replacement voting machines and support services for four years. Coghill reported that touch-screen machines would save the county printing fees for ballots. She said the machines available at a reduced rate are used and no longer manufactured.

County clerk Nancy Mattox warned that although the much lower cost of the used machines seems appealing, she is not certain that paper ballots are going to be obsolete.

“The national trend is to go back to paper ballots,” she said.

Election board member Gil Smith said the price is a consideration, however the board heard at least two similar presentations and had no recommendation at this time. Elect Staffing did not give a presentation to the election board.

Delphi Lions Club will have a sign on the courthouse lawn Jan. 29 to Feb. 6.

Tri Kappa will use the lounge Feb. 9 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

German Baptists will use the 4-H building Feb. 7 and 14 and March 7 and 14.

The next meeting will be Feb. 1 at 9 a.m.