MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
DECEMBER 18, 2007 MINUTES

President Click called the monthly County Council meeting to order.

Councilman Duckwall lead everyone in prayer.

All recited the pledge to the flag.

It is noted that Councilman Kendall is absent.

MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Hunt to approve the November minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

TRANSFER
Ken Scott, Health Environmentalist requested a transfer of $2,687 from his litigation line to his equipment line for a Magellan GPS unit. Mr. Scott told the Council that the County Health Board has approved this purchase. A motion to approve the transfer and purchase was made by Councilman Wiles. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

FAMILY FARM AND HOME ADDENDUM
Jim Tidd from MCEDA explained to the Council the history of the interest buy down and the confusion caused by the wording of the original document. He explained that this project fell off of the Capitol Improvement Plan in 2006 because of the wording but should have included 2007. After the Council understood the history and the intent of the document, a motion was made by Councilman Duckwall to approve the payment in 2007 of the 2006 payable 2007 debt. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 6-0.

JAIL COIT ORDINANCE ADOPTION
Brian Colton from Umbaugh & Associates explained the history of the COIT and some of the confusion of the Distribution from the State. It was noted by Councilman Click that if the COIT grows it could not be used for salaries. Commissioner Hawley noted that he would like to be sure the documentation and the terminology is clear so those who are here 20 years from now are certain what was done and the intent. Lisa Lee from Ice Miller explained the document dedicating the COIT to the jail project. This is the .25% of COIT. A question concerning any shortfall was asked and Ms. Lee explained that if that occurred a portion of the regular COIT would be used to pay the short fall but she noted that is not expected to happen. A motion to adopt the portion of the COIT dedicated to the Jail project was made by Councilperson Mull. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Duckwall and passed 6-0.

INKEEPERS TAX
County Attorney David Grund reviewed the document with the Council and noted a minor change that was requested. Mr. Grund explained the difference between a Fund that would be set up and directly sent to the Tourism Commission and the Fund that would require the Tourism Commission to come before Council for approval prior to distribution. Councilman Duckwall moved to adopt the version that needs Council approval prior to distribution. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-0.

The Council discussed and decided to strike the words “or industrial development” from the document. Councilman Duckwall moved to approve the Innkeepers Tax Ordinance and delete the industrial development portion of the document. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-1. Councilman Hunt voted against the tax.

This issue will need to come back before the Council in January for a final adoption due to the fact it did not pass unanimously.
Mr. Charles Gray from Best Western Hotel told the Council he is not against the tax but feels without other supplemental funding it is doomed to fail because there is not enough revenue to be generated by the hotels/motels we have at this time. Councilperson Mull asked if there are any grants that could be applied to this. Sandy Chittum, Tourism Director interim said she could certainly look into it. Councilman Hunt said he feels it puts an unfair burden on the local hotels we have.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT REPORT
Susan Rice told the Council that the new position has been very effective in collection. The position has been in place for 8 months and they are $50,000 over last year’s collections.

SHERIFF ROLAND REQUEST FOR A NEW POSITION
Sheriff Ken Roland and Beth Pond explained to the Council the need for another person to help track sex offenders and violent offenders. This is a new law that has been passed and the County has no recourse but to do this job. There is a new law that will be coming into play next year that will make all offenders report for 25 years. This will bring some who have gone off the list back onto it and cause more work for the Sheriff’s department.
Councilperson Mull said she would like to look at this during budget time but not at this time. Councilman Click asked if a vacancy occurs in another department could the position be transferred to another department. He said this would be a drastic move but he asked the Commissioners to look into this.

Sheriff Roland reported that he has received $21,840 for the holding of Department of Correction inmates and another $10,850 pending.

It was noted that these funds go into County General and is included in our miscellaneous revenues. Sheriff Roland told the Council he has cut $7,000 from his food budget and $20,000 from medical.

CONTINUING EDUCATION FUND
Sheriff Roland told the Board he will be going back to reporting the $3 per ticket to the Auditor for reimbursement. The former administration had the Council appropriate $3,500 per year because they did not want to count tickets. Sheriff Roland said he feels they have lost revenue due to this even though each case could take up to two years to go through the courts.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
Sam Waltz told the Council he has lost 6% and Major Moves money will dry up causing a $700,000 deficit. He said he is going to have to cut services if the County does not find other sources of income for the Highway Department.

Mr. Waltz said he would like the Council to consider giving the 3% raises to his employees at the first of the year since their funding source is not based on property tax, rather that it being retro active as everyone else’s will be when the budgets are approved by the State. Councilman Click said Mr. Waltz makes some good points but the intent of the Council is to treat all County employees the same.

COUNCIL ELECTION FOR 2008
Councilman Click turned over the meeting to Councilperson Mull to conduct the election of Council President.
Councilperson Mull opened nominations for President of the County Council for 2008. Councilman Wiles nominated Councilman Click. Councilman Duckwall moved to close the nominations. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and a vote was called. The vote was 5-0 with Councilman Click abstaining.

Council President Click took back the control of the meeting and opened the nominations up for Vice President of the County Council for 2008. Councilman Duckwall moved to nominate Councilperson Mull. The motion was 2nd and to close nominations by Councilman Wiles and 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe. A vote of 5-1 was taken with Councilperson Mull abstaining from the vote.

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS
It was noted that Councilman McAuliffe was appointed to the Community Corrections Board.

The other Boards are the same except Joy Elzency was appointed to the Converse Library Board. There were some notations and some changes as to meeting times but no other action was needed nor taken for appointments. Councilman McAuliffe moved to approve the appointments for 2008. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 6-0.

DAVID LEVIN COMPANY REPORT ON FENCE
A representative from the David Levin Company told the Council that as soon as the weather permits and the company can get the proper crew in, the fence will be erected. The fence is on site but the weather and other issues with the company has been a priority according to their representative.

A motion to adjourn was made by Councilman Mull and 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe. The motion passed 6-0.

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________
Brenda Weaver, Auditor