MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 16, 2006
G.A.R. ROOM
MIAMI COUNTY COURT HOUSE
7:00 P.M.

The Miami County Council meeting was called to order by President Stephenson. It is noted that all members are present.

MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the minutes with amendments of the appointments to Boards and Committees. The amendment is to change the representative to the Dukes Hospital Board to Councilmen Click, York and Robertson. The tax abatement appointments need to be Councilmen Stephenson, York and Robertson. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

COIT HEARING
The Public Hearing for the additional COIT for the construction of a new Jail was opened for discussion by President Stephenson. Commissioner Boyer spoke to those in attendance. He informed all present that there are 92 prisoners today with 40 out on home detention. Councilman York said the additional .25 percentage would raise approximately $800,000. This amount is to off set any bond issue the County will need to construct a jail. Sheriff Roland said that Kimme & Associates has been hired to do a Needs Assessment. Their findings reflect that we have been over crowded since 1994. Sheriff Roland said the COIT funds can only be used for the construction of a facility, not for the personnel or other needs. The cost of the staffing, equipment, additional food and medical will need to come from additional property tax.

The question was asked if the tax would ever be removed. President Stephenson read part of the Ordinance that states the tax is in place until the project is completely paid for.

A citizen asked if they could put on a sales tax instead of the COIT?

A motion was made by Councilperson Mull to allow the additional COIT. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 6-1. Councilman Click voted against. Because this was not a unanimous vote, it will be voted upon again in March.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE FUND
The first appropriation was for funding on the rehabilitation of Lost Bridge #28. A motion to allow the additional was made by Councilman Click. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook and passed 7-0.

The 2nd additional appropriation request from the Cumulative Bridge Fund is for the Business 31 South Project. County Engineer, Ken Einselen told those in attendance that due to some changes in the engineering fees, they would like to reduce the amount requested to $30,000. A motion to allow the $30,000 was made by Councilman York and 2nd by Councilman Cook. The motion passed 7-0.

EMERGENCY SIRENS/CEDIT FUND
Bill Raber presented the Council with his request of $40,000 for 6 sirens for the City of Peru and surrounding areas. Mr. Raber told the Council that the City has voted to support the amount of $40,000 and Peru Utilities committed $20,000. Mr. Raber said the sirens have a radius of over 2 miles and he feels it will cover a large part of the County. The volunteer fire departments around the County have sirens that will be integrated into this system so all will be set off at once.

Councilman York said he was not against it, but cannot support it at this time. He wanted to see a comprehensive plan as to how it could be added onto to cover the rest of the County. A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Mull and passed 4-3. Councilmen York, Robertson and Kendall voted against.

RESOLUTIONS TO COMPLY WITH THE DLGF FINDINGS
A motion was made by Councilman Click allow the reduction in both the Commissioners and the Highway Budgets to comply with the findings of the DLGF. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

MCEDA/Jim Tidd
Mr. Tidd told the Council that he would like permission to be on the Council agenda for March for the IVY Tech commitment of funds.

LOHUT HEARING
Councilman Cook said that it is not the County’s problem that the Highway Department has been shorted over the past several years, it is a State problem and he feels the State should fix it and not add a tax. The audience applauded his view.

Sam Waltz, Highway Supervisor, told those in attendance that they are down $225,000 in the highway budget.

A citizen said that she worked at the BMV for many years and that Howard County is the only county around that has the wheel tax. She also said there roads do not look any better than they did before they adopted the tax.

A citizen said that the last time this issue was brought up that a petition with over 500 signatures was given to the Council. He wants to know why it is being brought up again.

Another citizen asked if it could be on a ballot to settle this issue once and for all. County Attorney David Grund said it could be placed on a ballot for public opinion, but the County Council has the final say as to whether or not to bring it to the table and adopt it.

A citizen said that the roads on the Dam Project were destroyed by trucks. Mr. Waltz said that the County spent a lot of time and money on that project and would like a performance bond on such projects, but the Board of Commissioners would have to act upon that.

A highway employee complained about the Foremen taking their vehicles home and using them for their personal use. Julie Sisson said in defense of her husband, he does not use it for personal use.

Leroy Rushing asked about a vote on a restaurant tax or a hotel tax instead of a wheel tax.

Fred Wouster told the Council that they took off the inventory tax and put on another one to cover the shortage and now they want another tax. He is on a fixed income and feels they are taxed enough. He also said it is not any one tax, but the accumulative affect that puts the burden on the taxpayers.

A motion to approve the wheel tax as advertise was made by Councilman Click with the stipulation that next month they would be able to reduce the fees if need be. The motion died for a lack of a 2nd.

City Council member Mark Pyertz thanked the Council for listening to the concerns of the citizens of Miami County.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilperson Mull and 2nd by Councilman Cook. The motion passed 7-0.

Respectfully Submitted,

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Brenda Weaver, Auditor