MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
BUDGET HEARINGS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2006
8:00 A.M. G.A.R. ROOM
MIAMI COUNTY COURT HOUSE

President Stephenson opened the budget hearings for the 2007 appropriations. All present recited the pledge to the flag. It is noted that Councilman Kendall is absent. President Stephenson said they would not be addressing salaries in the first review of the budgets. They would address them by the end of the day.

The Council changed the order of the budgets presented.

#46 HEALTH
The Health Department was first. Dr. Savage spoke on behalf of the Board of Health requesting a 15% increase for the Nurse and a large increase for the Environmental Specialist. Dr. Savage also asked that the Council increase these as they see fit. Councilman Click asked about the Registrars position being a 3-day a week position. The Registrar told the Council that before 1993 the job was ½ days but it is now a 5 day a week job due to the number of births, deaths, and many other things occurring in the county every day. After discussions a motion was made by Councilman Robertson to allow the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

Councilman Kendall arrived at 8:15.

#46A HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL
A request was made to allow the Environmental Food Specialist to be compensated at an amount of $28,000. Mr. Scott said he has cut litigation to give Mrs. Biddle the raise. He would like to keep the rest of the line items the same. They generate all but $6,000 in fees. A motion was made by Councilman York to allow the 02-03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click. The motion passed 7-0.

#46B Motion by Councilman York to accept as presented on first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0

#22 Highway
Highway Supervisor Waltz asked the Council to set hourly rates. The Council was reminded by Councilman York that the DLGF advised them to lower our spending by $3,000,000 over the next 2 years. Councilman Robertson also informed the Council that the County did not change the insurance amount charged to the employees for next year. The County is absorbing that expense.
Councilman York moved to give all employees except the elected officials a $700 raise. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click. Commissioner Hawley asked to speak. He stated that specific departments asked for considerations. The Sheriff’s Department, the Board of Commissioners and the Health Department should have the opportunity to be heard. Councilman Click said they are spending $40,000 on a study and he feels the County absorbed some of the insurance cost and feels raises are in question. Councilman Cook said he is opposed to a blanket salary increase. Commissioner Hawley said that blanket raises would not be the most efficient way to handle this.
The vote taken was 2 for and 2 against (Cook and Mull) with 3 abstained (Stephenson, Kendall and Robertson).
A motion was made by Councilman York to allow the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#23 Highway MVH 2
The Council and Highway employee Virginia Bennett discussed the different amounts in the materials line of the 06 and 07 budgets. She explained how she moved from one budget to another and that this does not include major moves money. A motion to accept the 02 and 03 categories as presented was made by Councilman Click and 2nd by Councilman Robertson. The motion passed 7-0.

#24 MVH Phase 111
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

#25 Local Road and Street
Councilman York moved to approve the entire budget on the first reading as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#26 Cumulative Bridge Fund
A motion was made by Councilman York to accept the Cumulative Bridge Fund rate and budget as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

The Highway Department asked to be notified when salaries were to be discussed.

#1 Clerk of the Circuit Court
Councilman York moved to cut the 02 Office Supplies to $9,250 and delete the $250 and allow her to pay that from another fund and to delete the $5,000 from the 04 category. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0. The total for the 02-03-04 categories is $16,150.

#2 Clerk of the Superior Court
Councilman York moved to change the 02 category supplies to $9,600 and to strike the 04 amount of $2,500 from the budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#3 Clerk Election
Councilman York moves to accept the budget as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#4 Clerk Registration
Motion to accept on first reading was made by Councilman York. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#5 Auditor
Councilman Click said with the situation of the State threatening to withhold our funds he feels no pay raises should occur. Councilman York moved to approve the 02 and 03 categories as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#6 Treasurer
A motion to approve the 02 and 03 categories as submitted was made by Councilman York. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Mull and passed 7-0.

#7 Recorder
Councilman Click moved to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

#53 E 9-1-1
Jim Comerford explained the funding and what the County and City pay towards this service. A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

#13 County Assessor
A motion to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented for the 2007 budget year was made by Councilman Robertson and 2nd by Councilman York. The motion passed 7-0.

#17 Reassessment
Mrs. Gates explained that the reassessment will begin in July of 2009 and is suppose to be completed by March 1, 2011. Mrs. Gates also explained the process of moving an employee to the Reassessment budget from her budget to free up County general. She said she has 3 employees who are certified at level 3 and 2 township assessor trustees (Clay and Washington) at level 2 and Jackson Township is a level 1.
A motion was made by Councilman Robertson to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented on first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 6-1 (York)

#12 Surveyor
Councilman Robertson moved to accept the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

#14 Peru Township Assessor
Councilman York moved to approve the 02 and 03 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#16 Township Assessors
Councilman York moved to approve the 02 and 03 categories as presented on first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#18 Commissioners
There was a question concerning the PTBOA Board. The County Assessor explained that they are a tax review board. A motion was made by Councilman York to add $5,000 to the 9-1-1 contract and to correct the line for the cemetery board from $120,000 to $2000 as it is suppose to be and the motion was 2nd by Councilman Click. The motion passed 6-0. Councilman Cook was out of the room.

#35 CASA
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 6-0. Councilman Cook was out of the room.

#19 County Council
Councilman Click stated that he would like to see lap tops or computers in the GAR room for use during budget hearings. He feels it would make it much easier to look up information.
A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the 02 and 03 categories as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 6-0.

#20 Court House
Councilman Click moved to move the 12005 line which is contractual services to the 03 category which is account #31005. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0. Councilman York moved to accept the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented. The motion passed 7-0.

#50 CEDIT
Councilman York moved to delete the $100,000 from road materials, delete the line for Best Western for $12,500 and approve the rest on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#52 Cumulative Court House
Councilperson Mull moved to approve the budget as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook and passed 4-3 (York, Kendall and Click). The motion carried.

#27 Prosecuting Attorney
The Council and Mr. Huneryager discussed the addition of a new position and the adjustments of his budgets. Councilman Click asked why Mr. Huneryager couldn’t take the entire budget from the 259 Fund. The Prosecutor explained that the State could do away with this at any time. A motion to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories for the first reading was made by Councilman York and 2nd by Councilman Robertson. The motion passed 7-0.

#28 TITLE IVD
Councilman Robertson moved to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories for the first reading as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook and passed 7-0.

#29 USER FEE DEFERRAL
The Prosecutor told the Council that this budget covers 12 cell phones through Nextel. He has bought $30,000 in radios and $50,000 for Sheriff’s cars. Councilperson Mull stated that she feels he is using his funds wisely. A motion to approve the 02,03 and 04 categories for the first reading was made by Councilman York and 2nd by Councilman Robertson. The motion passed 7-0.

#58 VOCA Grant
The Council discussed the County match to this grant and a motion was made by Councilman Robertson to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories for the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Cook and passed 7-0.

#32 Public Defender
The Board said the budget is salaries. This is accepted for first reading until salaries are discussed. Councilman York moved to accept the budget and it was 2nd by Councilman Click. Motion carried 7-0.

#33 Public Defender Supplemental
Councilman York moved to accept the total budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#34 Probation
Councilman Cook moved to approve the 02, 03 and to adjust the 04 categories of the Probation budget. The furniture in the budget is to go through the Commissioners budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

#36 Miami County Drug and Alcohol
A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the 02 and 03 categories of the D&A budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#37 Probation User Fee
Councilman York moved to approve the 02 and 03 categories as submitted in the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-1 (Click)

#54, #55, #56
Judge Burke informed the Board that they do not need to review nor approve these budgets.

Councilman click moved to approve these budgets on first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 6-0 Councilman Kendall stepped out of the room.

#30 Circuit Court
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve the 02,03 and 04 categories of the 2007 budget as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

#31 Superior Court
A motion to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented on the first reading was made by Councilman Click. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

#8 Sheriff
Councilman Cook moved to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented in the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 6-1 Councilman Robertson was absent.

#9 JAIL
Councilman Click moved to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories as presented on the first reading of the 2007 budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#10 COUNTY MISDEMEANANT FUND
This is strictly salary and will be approved later but a motion to accept as presented was made by Councilperson Mull and 2nd by Councilman Cook. The motion passed 7-0.

#11 User Fee Law Enforcement Continuing Education
Councilman York moved to approve the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 6-0. Councilman Kendall was absent for this vote.

#38 Extension Office
Gary Horner explained that in order to fulfill the request of 3 educators we need to raise the contract by $5,000. A motion was made by Councilman York to adopt the 02 and 03 categories of the budget as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 4-3 (Robertson, Click and Kendall)

#39 Plan/Building Commission
Darrell Wooten gave a presentation of how the work load has risen since they added the building administrator position to his job. He asked that the deputy in his office be given an additional amount for the extra work and attending meetings. The Board stated they are not dealing with salaries on the first reading. A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the 02, and 03 categories of the budget and lower the 04 to $18,000. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#40 Veteran Service Officer
A motion was made by Councilman York to approve the 02 and 03 categories of the budget as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

#41Emergency Management
Mike Peconga and the Council discussed the different grants that EMA has in the works. A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve the 02, 03 and 04 categories of the budget as presented for the first reading of the 2007 budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

#42 Local Emergency Planning Committee
Councilman York moves to approve the entire budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 7-0.

$43 Weights and Measures
Councilman York moves to approve the 02 and 03 categories of the budget as presented in the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

#44 Soil & Water Conservation District
Councilman York moves to approve the 02 and 03 categories as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 7-0.

44A Soil & Water Grant
Councilman Click moved to accept on the first reading the entire budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull. The motion passed 7-0.

#45 Museum
Councilman York moved to accept the 02 and 03 categories of the budget as presented in the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull. The motion passed 7-0.

#48 Coroner
A motion to approve the budget as is on the first reading was made by Councilman Robertson. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

#49 Welfare Children’s Psychiatric Residential Treatment
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

County Family and Children’s fund
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

#51 Local Coordinating Council
Councilman Click moved to move the 04 listing into the 03 portion of the budget where it should be. And to approve the budget as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman York and passed 7-0.

Wages discussed.

Councilman Robertson said from an employee standpoint he said that the County is extending a benefit by absorbing some of the cost of insurance next year that normally would be passed onto the employees. He also said the employees get longevity which is a good benefit. Councilman York asked about the job study. He wanted to know how long it would be until completed. He was told not until next years budget hearings.

Commissioner Hawley spoke to the Council concerning the IT assistant. He explained that the position is funded by the Peru Utilities at this point and they are asking for the County to supplement it by $5,000.

The County Recorder asked why they are not considering elected officials for a raise.

Councilman York criticized the Auditor and the Assessor for being late on their paper work to the State. He also said it causes late collections and the State has threatened to withhold our funds. He said he feels perhaps they should cut salaries to get their attention.

Captain Vitek explained the Matrix system of pay to the Council.

Mildred Kopis spoke to the Council about the Museum.

The County Assessor informed the Council that a deputy can be moved from the Assessors budget and paid for out of the Reassessment budget.

Councilman Click moves to accept all the 01 (salary) category as consideration for the 1st reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 5-2 (York, Cook)

Council President Stephenson said the Health Nurse wants to speak first tomorrow and he said she could.

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

Respectfully submitted,


Brenda Weaver, Auditor