MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
472-3901

DECEMBER 19, 2006

President Stephenson called the December County Council meeting to order. All recited the pledge to the flag.

It is noted that 6 members are in attendance. Councilman Cook is absent.

MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Robertson to approve the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 6-0.

ACCIDENT REPORT FEES
County Attorney David Grund presented an Ordinance to raise the fee for accident reports from $3 to $5. He explained this would be the minimum amount allowed by law to collect. Councilman Click said he would like to make a motion to approve the fee amount of $12. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Kendall and passed 5-1. Councilman Stephenson voted against. Sheriff Roland said the City and State are collecting the larger amount.

CONAGRA AND ARMOUR TRANSFER OF INCENTIVES
A resolution to allow the transfer of the current incentives held by ConAgra Foods to Armour was presented to the Council for consideration. Kristy Householder said the CF1 was filled out to date and the MCEDA approves the transfer. Councilman Click moved to approve the resolution with the amendment of adding the wage and employment conditions currently in place for ConAgra Foods. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Robertson and passed 6-0.

DOG TAX
David Grund explained the statute that applies to the dog tax and with the exception of section 4C the Ordinance is verbatim. The statement that the Treasurer “shall” include a dog form in every personal property tax was changed to “may”, making it optional. It is the understanding of the County Commissioners and County Attorney that the Treasurer does not want to collect the money and sending out the forms makes more work and cost to the County. Councilman Click wants to know if it would be a problem to table this for a month. He said he has not done his homework and was unaware that it was a Council issue. He thought it was a Board of Commissioner issue. Councilman Click moved to table this Ordinance until next month. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 4-2 with Councilmen York and Stephenson voting against.

Commissioner Hawley said the variations on how the money is distributed and how it is collected is what needs to be understood by the Council. He also stated that it could be handled as it has been in the past with the Trustees collecting the fees and paying for the animal kills. County Attorney Grund said that both the Council and the Board of Commissioners must sign every claim that is filed.

PERU TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR REQUEST
Mike Chittum explained the situation in his office concerning this Deputy. She is off for injury and illness. He is not sure when she will be able to be back at work but it could be a month or longer depending on the results of some medical tests.

He is asking that they consider placing Kathy Smith on as a full time employee next year. He knows it is an additional position but with so much work with personal property and mobile homes coming up they will need the help. He would like to have her trained and go through the testing for level 1 and 2 assessors. He said we all have taken an oath to serve the public and he feels it is in the best interest of all taxpayers for his office to be supported with adequate personnel.

His request is to be allowed to advertise for an additional position and to come before the Council in January for consideration. The Council said they had no problem with him returning in January to discuss this issue.

A motion to put the Peru Township Assessor on the Agenda in January was made by Councilperson Mull. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 6-0. The Council reminded Mr. Chittum to go before the Board of Commissioners before he returns in January.

SHERIFF ROLAND
Sheriff Roland told the Council that he wished to clear up an issue that was brought up last month by Councilman Click. He said the subject bothered him. The Sheriff said Mr. Click told the Council that the Sheriff had mislead them concerning the pay for the Matron under the Matrix system. The Sheriff said he has never mislead anyone and would like to set the record straight. The case that Mr. Click brought up was from an appellate court opinion and it does not supercede statute. Councilman Click said he did not intend to imply that the Sheriff did anything wrong or make the Sheriff look bad. Councilman Click apologized for making it sound like the Sheriff did something wrong.

TRANSFERS

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Sam Waltz requested transfers in their budget.

Councilman Robertson moved to approve the transfers. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

INTRODUCTION OF NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS PRESENT
Council President Stephenson introduced Alan Hunt, Steve McAuliff and Dick Wiles to everyone. He also said they have a lot of important issues that will be coming before them in the near future and he wished them well.

Councilman Stephenson said he wanted to make a prediction. He said he feels as though it won’t be long before the County is given the option to levy more local taxes. With the way the State is moving the County will have not choice.

Mr. Stephenson said if there is no further business this Council is adjourned.

Respectfully Submitted,

Brenda Weaver, Auditor