MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
FEBRUARY 19, 2008
Council President Click was absent due to illness. Vice-President Shirley Mull
led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. Councilman Wiles recited a prayer.
COMMUNICATION/ANNOUNCEMENTS
None
MINUTES
Councilman Wiles moved to approve the minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilman
Hunt and passed 6-0.
EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
There are no emergency appropriations requested this month.
COUNCIL ACTION
Susan Rice came before the Council to request approval of the Juvenile Probation
budget that was missed during the budget hearings. Councilman McAuliffe made a
motion to approve. Councilman Kendall 2nd the motion and it passed 6-0.
Angie Bever-Bonham came before the Council regarding a raise in her pay that was
approved by the Community Corrections Board and requested by Judge Banina for
the Council to approve last month. Judge Banina could not be in attendance due
to illness. Angie has completed her Masters degree and is asking that the pay
raise be approved by Council to bring her pay status in line with the position
and education.
MILEAGE ISSUE
Carol Biddle from the Health Department and John Walker from CASA was present to
ask if the Council would adjust the mileage rate to match the federal rate of 48
cents per mile. Councilman click said the mileage was raised for the 2007 budget
from 34 cents in 2006 to 37 cents this year. Both Mrs. Biddle and Mr. Walker
drive their own cars and Councilman Wiles asked what the liability of the County
is if they have an accident while doing County business.
After some discussion the Council agreed to take Mrs. Biddle’s information and
request under advisement until next month. It is noted that the County does not
have this year’s budget approved by the State.
SHERIFF
Ken Roland addressed the Council by introducing a new Deputy. Eric Meecham was
hired to replace Terry Merrix who retired last month. He also said he promoted
Tim Hunter to Sergeant over Day Personnel.
ABATEMENT ISSUES
Councilman Click stated that the abatement committee met in February with the
businesses and they were under the impression that all businesses knew what was
expected and how to properly fill out and file the CF1 statement of benefits.
Only one of the businesses filled out the paper work properly and filed it
within the legal time frame.
The Council discussed what to do with those who did not file the paper work at
all. Council Attorney, David Grund recommends a letter be sent by MCEDA to the
businesses.
A motion was made by Councilman Wiles to allow the extension date of filing to
July 15, 2007. Mr. Tidd also told the Board that even if they just turned down
the abatement the businesses are entitled by law to a public hearing to present
their case as to why they failed to comply.
The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull with the addition that the letter
should be sent by MCEDA by certified mail. The motion was passed 7-0.
BUDGET AND WAGE COMMITTEE
Councilmen Wiles and Duckwall were given the 144 salary request form and the
budget request form to review and fill out for the Council.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Councilman Click reported that the Health Care Foundation has almost completed
the sale of Blair Ridge. The first part of July the County should be out of that
issue. Investments are doing well and he feels good things could come out of it.
They plan to purchase some equipment for the hospital. Councilperson Mull asked
how much was in the Foundation. Councilman Click said it was approaching
$7,000,000. Councilperson Mull said she felt the public should know this amount.
EMS AMBULANCE BOARD
Councilman Wiles said he has not heard from the Board.
JAIL COMMITTEE
Councilperson Mull said they meet every two weeks but there is nothing new at
this time.
She said the paper is doing a good job of reporting on those meetings.
FOUR COUNTY
Councilperson Mull said they are doing pretty well. She said the County raised
their share and others did to help.
SOLID WASTE
Councilperson Mull said Solid Waste is doing fine.
LLC
Councilman Hunt said he is on the mailing list but has no further information.
EXTENSION BOARD
Councilman Hunt said he has never been contacted by them.
Councilperson Mull told the other members that she attended two meetings on June
9, 2007 for County Council members. One was a State called meeting and concerned
Legal Issues and Conflict of Interest. The other was a Diploma Program.
Commissioner Hawley noticed a couple of weeks ago that the criteria for the open
door law was changed and they asked Councilperson Mull if they gave her
information on that subject. She had a bullet point presentation she let the
members look at from her meetings.
Councilman Duckwall reminded the Council and those in attendance that Senator
Weatherwax will be here Saturday morning to discuss issues. One of the issues
will be a Local Option Income Tax and the other will be Trending.
MINUTES
Councilman Hunt moved to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2007 meeting. The
motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.
MCEDA
Jim Tidd told the Council that he is working on setting up a meeting with
everyone that is involved in the abatement process including the businesses and
their accountants to educate all on the process in the hope to improve the
process. He said they are working on either a January or February meeting to do
this.
JULY MEETING
Commissioner Hawley mentioned that the Highway Supervisor could not be there and
that they would be coming before the Council next month to have the additional
$110,000 out of CEDIT appropriated for the Business 31 project.
Councilman Click asked if there was any further business to come before this
Council. No further business was requested and he said he would entertain a
motion to adjourn.
Councilman Duckwall moved to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Councilman
McAuliffe. The motion passed 7-0
Adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Weaver, Auditor
