MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
MARCH 18, 2008
WORK SESSION

President Click called the work session of the County Council to order.

The Jail Project progress was the first issue discussed.
Sheriff Roland told that this new facility is a 248 bed jail when all areas are used including work release. He also noted that he will need 6 more jail deputies and 2 more control operators. The Commissioners said they also need a new maintenance person and a full time position due to the Sex Offender Registry.

Sheriff Roland said Community Corrections is putting in a grant for 2 jailers positions funding. This is not a guarantee but something worth trying to acquire. He said there is a possibility to take in inmates from other counties, but the surrounding Counties have not charged us for our overflow so he said we must be careful how we deal with this issue.
He invited the Council to attend a seminar from the National Institute of Corrections. This is a transition overview that will be held on April 21, 2008 at 9 am until 12 pm at the jail. He currently has a transition team in place. Councilperson Mull commended the Board of Commissioners and the Sheriff for the job they have done on this project.

The next issue discussed was changing the budget hearing schedules. He said they can get the review of budgets out of the way. A motion was made by Councilperson Mull to set the budget hearings schedule. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Duckwall and passed 7-0.

The job study is the next issue discussed. He asked the Council to review the section on the internal adjustments and they would discuss it next month.

The passing of a third court for Miami County by the State Legislature was next on the table for discussion. Councilman Click asked the Board of Commissioners to look at this for a location. The County Auditor was asked to speak with the Judges about submitting a budget for this 3rd court.

The issue of having Melissa Ambre come and do an evaluation of the County’s fiscal assessment and projection of our financial future was discussed. The Council asked the Auditor to schedule her to come at a date just after the April Council meeting.

Councilman Click asked if there were any more issues that needed to be discussed for the work session. None were noted and so it adjourned.

MONTHLY MEETING OPENED

Councilman Click opened the meeting.

Councilman Wiles prayed with those present over the meeting.

Everyone recited the pledge to the flag.

MINUTES
A motion was made by Councilman Hunt to approve the February minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS
The only request for an appropriation was for the Recorder’s Office. The request is for $950 from the redaction fund to purchase computer monitors. A motion to approve was made by Councilman Kendall. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

PTBOA BOARD
Councilman Click told the Council that their appointment to the PTBOA Board has taken a full time job and has recommended a replacement. Their appointment was Mary Boswell and her recommended replacement is Linda Garber. Mr. Click said that the County Assessor had interviewed Ms. Garber and feels she would be a good replacement. A motion was made by Councilman Duckwall to appoint Linda Garber to the PTBOA Board. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Kendall and passed 7-0.

SEX OFFENDER FUNDING
Sheriff Roland and Beth Pond explained to the Council that the money given to hire part time people to assist with Ms. Pond’s regular duties so she may work full time on the Sex Offender Registry has ran out. The Commissioners gave the Sheriff enough money to last 10 weeks. Ms. Pond said there are 142 files and she has 63 of those files current. She explained some of the situations of offenders and how she has tracked them down. It was also explained that as of July 1, 2008 the Adam Walsh Law will go into effect and those who have molested children of a certain age that has gone off the registry list will have to be reinstated. The old law was for 10 years and the new one is for 25 years. Ms. Pond said there is a need for a full time position. She appreciates the part time money that was given but it was not a permanent fix to the problem.

The Commissioners will try to help find a way to get funding for part time through the end of this year and it will be addressed at budget hearings.

ASSESSORS ISSUE
It was noted that with the new law to transfer the duties of the township assessors to the County Assessor, this could free up some money for part time later this summer. No action taken.

The Council asked to put the Sheriff on the agenda for next month for funding to cover until the end of this year for part time.

SENATOR TOM WEATHERWAX PRESENTATION
Senator Weatherwax gave hand outs of a brief recap of House Bill 1001. He explained what the State is taking over and how this will impact counties. He told that the sales tax will be increased April 1, 2008. He encouraged the Council to enact LOIT to offset the short fall that will occur due to the adjustments in the tax structure handed down by the State. The Council and Senator Weatherwax also discussed the additional COIT the County can adopt to offset the cost of staffing the new jail.

Senator Weatherwax also encouraged more meetings and asked that the County COIT Council meet to discuss the issues outlined in his information.
It was also noted that with the caps on building projects by schools this gives the citizens a right to vote on whether or not a project is needed. He also noted that this is what will drive up our tax rates.

Jim Tidd spoke concerning the information concerning Economic Development. The law says the Board must consist of a school board member. With the number of schools in our County he wonders if he has to expand the size of their board to include one member from each school corporation. Senator Weatherwax has no answer but said he will check on that for Mr. Tidd.

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

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,

_________________________
Brenda Weaver, Auditor