Council Meeting January 13 -- Notes

Note: These are my personal notes from the council meeting. They are NOT the official minutes, nor should they be construed as an official record of any kind.

Boone County Council
1/13/2009
Attendance: Steve Jacob, Butch Smith, Debby Shubert, Kerry Kries, David Rodgers
Absent: Bill Soards, Marcia Wilhoite

Organization:
Steve Jacob was re-elected president; Butch Smith re-elected vice president.

Approval of minutes:
There was discussion over confusion on meeting minutes concerning the Prosecutor’s office request for additional funds in December. This portion was tabled and the rest approved. Prosecutor Todd Meyer later clarified & minutes were amended to strike the confusing language. January minutes will reflect the clarifications.

Re-appropriation for Auditor: All approved
$500 from supplies to equipment for chairs & office furniture replacement/repair
$4,000 to consulting for Gretchen to finish settlement ($75/hour w/GUTS)
$100 for dues and subscriptions
Will we be asked to cover $4600 w/additional later? Should not be.

Additional Appropriations for Prosecutor: All Approved
Extraditions: $2500 total due to shifting probation violations duties from prosecutor to courts.
No new funds, but deducted from prosecutor’s account & added to three courts’ accounts
Deputy Prosecutor & Victim’s Assistance positions: salaries being paid from grants, but grant $
not received yet. Approved after clarification.

Additional for Probation I: Approved
Approved salary to be pulled from user fees for extra probation officer.

Additional for Child Welfare & Probation: Approved
Massive increase in usage & services in December. More than $300,000 drawn from existing fund balance. In January, funding will be taken over by state.

NEW BUSINESS:
Soil & Water: Asked to amend salary ordnance to put money back into county general to pay part-time temporary help. No new money. Approved.

Drainage Board: Meetings hourly rate will need to be additional at future meeting. Council approved $55/meeting, at two meetings/month in 2008 budget hearings, but the submitted state budget was short $1,650 due to an error, so additional money will be needed to cover the difference. (All boards are paid $55/meeting.) Will return later, when necessary.

Weights & Measures: The council approved $25,000/yr salary in the 2009 budget. Ken Hedge wants to break this down to an hourly rate of $24/hr, not to exceed the $25,000 total. Hedge asked for amended salary ordnance. Approved.

Board Re-Appointments:
Bob Miller to Alcoholic Beverage Board
Charles Ewing to PTBOA
Debby Shubert to CVB
Greg Slipher & Marcia Wilhoite to RDC

Assessor: Brought up concerns on possible re-assessment mandated by state in summer 2009. This will likely be delayed by the General Assembly, as no counties were prepared for it or had budgeted it for it. If not delayed, it could cost the county $1 million or more. No action required at this time.

Area Plan Commission Annual Report presented by Steve Niblick. Highlights:
Significant decrease in new home permits in 2008.
Permits down but revenues up with increase in commercial buildings in Anson, etc.
Concerns over loss of permits from Eagle/Union after Zionsville reorginization:
53% of permits in 2008 came from Eagle/Union (including Anson). Outside Anson will be off county responsibility in 2010.
New permits issued in 2009 will be able, if they choose, to continue with County after 2010.
Niblick reports other enforcement issues & additional work is available to keep office busy if permits drop significantly in 2010. Would withhold changes to office until 2011.

Sherriff Campbell:
Advised the council that he is working w/IT & probation to integrate CourtView info to deputies’ in-car computers. Cost will be $38,000 for licensing, but Campbell is working to raise funds outside current budget.

Council Kerry Kries raised concerns about changeover to new county employee insurance. There is confusion over dependent children’s status; employees apparently need to certify children as in school and may not have been notified of the need to do so. Heather Barton (auditor’s office) continues to work on clarification with insurance company. Others present expressed concerns, including employees unable to get prescription discounts, not receiving insurance cards and some not notified about new form requirements. Kries questioned possible liability for county if employees or their families are not covered as they believe they are. Steve Jacob will contact commissioners about the concerns ASAP.

COUNCIL AGENDA TUESDAY, JANUARY 13

BOONE COUNTY COUNCIL
BUSINESS AGENDA FOR January 13, 2009
LOCATION: CONNIE LAMAR MEETING ROOM, ROOM 105
116 W Washington St
Lebanon, IN 46052



Call regular meeting to order – 8:30 a.m.
Approve minutes
A. December 2008

Re-Appropriations: Auditor

Additional Appropriations: Prosecutor, Superior I, Superior II, Circuit Court,
Probation I, Family & Children

New Business: Kathy Clawson: Hourly Rates for Drainage Board Meetings
Kathy Clawson: Soil & Water
Board Appointments

Old Business: None

Public Comment

Adjournment

This agenda is subject to change.