MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 N BROADWAY
PERU, IN 46970
JUNE 20, 2006

The meeting was called to order by President Stephenson who led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance.

It is noted that all Councilman Robertson is absent.

ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

MCEDA – Jim Tidd came before the Council to ask for $33,166.00 for the Economic Development Plan out of C.E.D.I.T funds which is 1/3 of the amount needed. Councilman Click made a motion to approve and Councilman York 2nd the motion. Motion passed 6-0.

SHERIFF - The Sheriff’s Department requested $8,122 for medical reimbursement to be appropriated back to the medical line in the jail budget. After much discussion it was decided to not appropriate the money. The bills for that inmate can be paid out of the medical line and if they run short they will need to come back before the Council. Councilman Click made a motion table the request and Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion. The motion passed 5 – 1 abstain (Cook).

2-1-1 – The Commissioners introduced Lori from the 2-1-1 system to give a presentation on the 2-1-1 system. 2-1-1 is requesting $5,000.00 to help bring the system to Miami County. Councilman Click asked if the program would be mandatory at some point. Lori didn’t think that it would be. He also wanted to know if the request would be an annual. Yes it would be annual because they need the Counties to help support the program instead of taking money away from the other programs that help the same group of people. Councilwoman Mull asked if this would be a duplication of services. The Council was told that it would not be because it is just information to access resources and is available for everyone not just those who fit a particular category.

Councilman Click made a motion to table until next month so they can have time to review the information. Councilman Cook 2nd the motion. After some more discussion Councilman Click withdrew his motion. Councilman York made a motion to table until budget time. Councilman Click 2nd the motion and it passed 6-0.

HIGHWAY – The Highway requested a reduction of $60,000 from Cum Bridge account 39514 for Bridge 152I. Councilman Click made a motion to allow and Councilman York 2nd. The motion passed 6-0.
The Highway also requested a reduction in Cum Bridge for account 39510 for the amount of $99,800. Councilman Click made a motion to approve and Councilman York 2nd the motion. The motion passed 6-0.

The Highway asked to transfer $175,000 from 205-29005-000-205 BH Pike to 205-29009-000-205 deer creek twp. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Click and 2nd by Councilwoman Mull. The motion passed 5-1 (York).

The Highway also requested to transfer in Cum Bridge $32,000 from 330-39576-000-331 to 330-39551-000-331. Motion to approve was made Councilman Click and 2nd by Councilwoman Mull. Motion passed 5-1 (York). Also requested was $8,000 from 330-39576-000-331 to 33039585-000-331. Motion to approve was made by Councilman Click and 2nd by Councilman Kendall. Motion passed 6-0.

REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION

TREASURER
Karen Large, Treasurer, presented the Council with a packet of information. She informed the Council that tax collections are due June 16th. Councilman York asked if anyone was using the on line payment and some have. Councilwoman Mull asked how the Solid Waste collections were going and if people have been receptive. Ms. Large said it hasn’t been too bad.

Mrs. Large also informed the Council that with the diligence of the Auditor’s and Treasurer’s office, the books have been balanced and closed as of May 31, 2006.

ABATEMENT COMMITTEE
There will be a special meeting to go over abatements on June 27th at 7:00 p.m.

ABATEMENT REQUEST
Jim Tidd informed the Council that Ebert Machine withdrew their abatement request.

JUDGE BANINA – REQUEST FOR 3RD COURT
Judge Banina handed out a weighted case study that shows the 2 Courts Miami County currently has are operating at the caseload average of 3 courts and has for five years. He is requesting support in the form of a resolution to ask the Legislatures for permission to have 3 Courts in Miami County. If granted the State would pick up the salary for the 3rd Judge (the County would only pay the supplemental). The County would have to find space, furniture, and recording equipment etc, for the Court and pay for the support staff.

Councilman Click asked if we could use retired Judges? Judge Banina said we do but that doesn’t help his caseload because he still has to oversee.

Former Judge Bruce Embrey stated his support for a 3rd Court. He informed the Council that a 3rd Court has been needed since he was on the bench.

There was discussion on the Prison in Miami County and how much extra that has put on our Courts.

Judge Banina said it should not add any extra on the Clerks office.

Councilman Click said he is not in favor of it until we figure out what will be coming with the new jail.

Butch Morris, citizen, asked the Judge what kind of backlog on cases there is and what kind of budget the Courts have.

Councilman York said he is not totally against it but would like for the Board of Commissioners to work with the Legislators on why the State has not lived up to their end of the bargain as far as the Prison not costing the County any money.

Councilman York made a motion to have County Attorney Grund draw up a resolution to instruct the Board of Commissioners to talk with the State to find out why they have not lived up the their end of the bargain. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 5-1.

Councilman Click informed the Council that he received notice from the Auditor’s Office that the entire past due amount for the Juvenile DOC has been paid. Miami County was almost 1 million dollars in debt to the State at one time. He thanked the Auditor and the Chief Deputy Auditor for their hard work and diligence in getting this bill paid off.

Commissioner Hawley informed the Council that the BOC may be coming before the Council to request C.E.D.I.T. money for signs for Rails-to-Trails. Virginia Bennett said she may have the $1500 for the signs in her budget at the Highway.

Councilman York made a motion to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

Respectfully submitted,


Jane Lilley, Deputy Auditor