Notes March 2010 Council Meeting

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
3/9/2010
Present: All Council Members except Gene Thompson, Secretary Heather Barton, Attorney Bob Clutter, Auditor Melody Price

Council approved the February 2010 minutes with a minor change of wording.

RE-APPROPRIATIONS: All Approved.
Mapleview (no one present):
Last month the council approved $2,024 to cover severance pay for two employees. It was later discovered that the money had already been encumbered, so a resolution was needed today to move that money back.

Re-Assessment (Jane Wood):
Requested to move $2000 from appraisal to consulting to fund ongoing appeals with the state (IBTR). The county needs to hire additional appraisals to be done for the county to win its cases when appealed to the state.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS:
Sheriff (Ken Campbell):
Requested moving $12,8883 from the general fund to the Motor Vehicle fund as a transfer of insurance money received from a totaled car. Approved.

Re-Assessment (Jane Wood):
Re-assessment was originally budgeted to begin July 1, but because of a decision which will save the county roughly $40,000 it has now begun as of January 1. This additional request of nearly $80,000 will fund the first six months’ work. Approved.
Re-assessment office also asked for transfer of $2475 to Equipment line to replenish after a re-appropriation to IT last month. Last month’s request would have been an additional, but time for advertising did not allow. Approved.

Highway:
Requested $20,000 to cover shortfall in snow removal overtime pay. Early 2010 snows came largely on weekends and holidays, which cost additional money. Approved.

Local Road & Street:
Requested $10,000 to Calcium Chloride in anticipation of more need if not in the near term, then at the end of the year. Approved 5-1.

NEW BUSINESS
Sharon Adams of the Health Department is ready to hire a preparedness liaison as previously discussed and approved by the council through funding from a federal grant. President Jacob reiterated that should the grant money dry up the employee position would not be maintained at county expense. The council approved a resolution amending the salary ordinance for the position at $16/hr, not to exceed a maximum of roughly $23,000, which would include the county’s matching contributions to Social Security, FICA, etc. The part-time position would not include medical or other county benefits, so would have no additional cost to the county beyond what the grant pays. Approved.

Sheriff Ken Campbell presented his annual report (http://www.boonecountyindianasheriff.com/c/images/2010annreport.pdf), as required by statute, pointing out several highlights.
• 2009 saw 2,454 jail admissions and 2,450 releases, with average daily population of 144
• Jail population increased nearly 18% in the past year after declines preceding two years in part through work release and community corrections programs
• OWI & Public Intoxication account for nearly 650 incarcerations
• Dedicated male and now female cell blocks are devoted to drug & alcohol counseling
• Medical costs rose 11%, though costs are still below those of four years ago
• Partnerships with the Boone County Clinic, Boone County Learning Network, Lebanon Library and others
• Jail GED program has 93.4% graduation rate
• Sheriff’s office serves over 700 civil papers per month
• 17,000+ calls for service responded in 2009
• Volunteer reserves donated hours equivalent to 3.5 full-time officers
• Partnerships with ZFD & Witham added 20 AEDs to patrol at no cost to county
• Through grant money is developing a canine officer unit
• Sgt. Martin was recognized as DARE officer of the year in 2009
• Dept. continues partnership with Western Boone High School
• Offender Watch website for sex offenders created in 2009
• Updated and re-launched Dept website for services: http://www.boonecountyindianasheriff.com
• Many sheriff’s sale duties were privatized, freeing up substantial time at no cost to Dept.
• Fleet maintenance program in third year

President Jacob raised the possibility of contracting with a consultant to provide revenue & expenditure forecasts for the council to plan future budgeting. The idea would be a 3-5 year projection. Council agreed to explore options for next meeting.

OLD BUSINESS:
Deputy Auditor Cindy Poore presented an update of her continuing fund research.
• Three probation departments will be consolidated into a newly named “Probation Administration Fee” fund due to department consolidation. These funds can be used for essentially any probation department needs, including officer salaries. A motion was made and carried to transfer the money and close the two extraneous funds.
• Two adult probation user fee funds will be consolidated into a single adult probation user fee fund. These funds can be used for any adult probation department needs other than salaries (though that may be possible, pending further research). Motion made and carried.
• $43,731 in Excess Levy Fund will be moved to county general. These funds had been in the fund one full calendar year and must be moved by state statute. Motion made and carried.
• Tax Sale Surplus funds of $90,293 leftover from 2006 tax sale may be moved to county general after three years. Moving the funds may require a resolution, but clarification has not been received from the state. No action today.
• Surplus Dog and Dog Leash funds totaling roughly $7100. Resolutions are under review to be presented next month.
• Weed Control fund of $22,000+ needs to be renamed to Marijuana Eradication Program Fee. The fund continues to grow through criminal cost fees, but has had no expenditures. Much discussion followed as to clarifying the purpose and history of the fund(s). No action was taken pending further research.
• 2005 Re-assessment fund, discussed previously, is currently in an investment fund, so needs to be left alone for now.
Continuing research is underway to prepare funds lists for budget hearings.

PUBLIC COMMENT:
None.


Meeting Adjourned at 10:25.

March 2010 Council Agenda

BOONE COUNTY COUNCIL
BUSINESS AGENDA FOR MARCH 9, 2010
LOCATION: CONNIE LAMAR MEETING ROOM, ROOM 105
116 W Washington St
Lebanon, IN 46052

Amended

Call meeting to order – 8:30 a.m.

Approval of February 2010 minutes

Re-Appropriation Requests:
Jail
Re-Assessment
*Retract approved Mapleview request from February meeting.

Additional Requests:
Sheriff
Re-Assessment
Highway
Local Road & Street

New Business:
Sharon Adams, Environmental Health- Preparedness Liaison
Ken Campbell, Sheriff – Annual Report

Old Business:
Cindy Poore, Deputy Auditor – Fund Update

Public Comment

Document Signing:
Re-Appropriations, Additionals, February 2010 Council Minutes

Adjournment

This agenda is subject to change.