County Council Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes

August 19, 2008

MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
2009 BUDGET HEARINGS
AUGUST 19, 2008
FIRST READING OF 2009 BUDGETS

Council President Ralph Duckwall called the first day of budget hearings to order. All attending recited the pledge to the flag and observed a moment for prayer.

Councilman Duckwall explained the changes in the hearings for this year’s budget. He has the budgets in a spreadsheet on computer and all attending can follow along on the screen as each budget is addressed.

The first budgets to be addressed would be from County General Fund.

EMA is the first budget. Mike Peconga explained the 60% of the reimbursement back to the County for his and Chris Marks salaries.

President Duckwall told Mr. Peconga that the Council is considering a 3% raise for all employees. Mr. Peconga said he is appreciative of the raise but explained that their salary is reimbursed based on the salary. He also said he would like a better raise based on the fact they are looking at a possible 60% reimbursement. He spoke of the 2006 recommended salary from the job study and he is still below the requested $36,252, and his assistant is below the $27,936 suggested.
Councilman Click moved to give the 3% raises in the 2009 budgets with the $1,000 added for each first deputy in the County offices. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

COMMISSIONERS BUDGET
The next budget addressed was the Board of Commissioners. Councilman Click moved to set the salaries of the Commissioners at $19,500 for the Chairman and $17,500 for the other two positions.
The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt. The motion passed 7-0.

Councilman Click moved to give the Attorney, IT Director and Assistant the 3% raise. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 7-0.


Councilman Click moves to accept the balance of categories 01, 02, 03 and 04 on the first reading as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget is $3,576,271.

COURT HOUSE
The next budget to be reviewed was the Court House. A motion to approve the budget on its first reading as amended was made by Councilperson Click and 2nd by Councilperson Mull. The total budget is $343,898.

CUMULATIVE COURT HOUSE
Councilman Click moved to approve as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Commissioner Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget is $520,000.

CEDIT
Councilman Click moved to approve the budget as amended. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0. The total budget is $1,007,750.

DRAINAGE BOARD
Commissioner Boyer stated that if you change the Surveyor’s Office the Drainage Board Secretary could cover the office. He stated she is a good worker and if they cut one from the Surveyor’s Office they need someone to cover it. Councilman Click moved to restore the Drainage Board Secretary to a full time position with a 3% increase in wages. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0.

Councilman Click moved to approve the rest of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 7-0.

EXTENSION OFFICE
Councilman Click moved to approve on the first reading with a 3% wage increase as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget on the first reading is $170,700.

SOIL AND WATER
Councilman Click moved for the 3% increase and the rest as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

SOIL AND WATER GRANT
The Council discussed the Eel River Project and the time frames associated with it. A motion to approve as submitted was made by Councilperson Mull and 2nd by Councilman Click. The motion passed 7-0.

AUDITOR
Councilman Click moves to approve as read on the first reading for the 2009 budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. Councilman Duckwall said the wage study committee would address salaries next year. Councilman Click moved to approve the budget with the 3% raise and the rest as submitted with the approved 1st Deputy pay adjustment. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget is $170,530.

RECORDER
Recorder Rhonda Trexler gave a presentation on the law concerning the perpetuation fund. She explained how it is to be spent and that she will only use it as prescribed by law. Councilman Click moved for the 3% raise and the 1st Deputy adjustment of $1,000. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles. Mrs. Trexler also brought up the concern over the part time cut in appropriation. The motion passed 6-1. Councilperson Mull voted against it. The Total budget is $71,741.

SURVEYOR
Councilman Click moved to approve sections 02, 03, 04 of the budget as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 6-1. Councilman McAuliffe was out of the room for this vote and abstained.

The Council discussed the removal of one employee in the office. Surveyor Jeff Harvey explained that he currently is driving a 1992 F150 with 200,000 miles on it. He has not asked for a new vehicle. He said their office is busy with the GIS system along with the other responsibilities of the office. He asked where they want them to stop performances as required by law. He said they are only required to do 2 things and that will cut services. Councilman Wiles moved to restore the positions as requested with a 3% raise for employees and the rest of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Click and passed 6-1. Councilman McAuliffe was absent for this vote and abstained. The total budget is $90,363.

PROSECUTOR
Councilman moves to approve as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget is $85,372.

VOCA
Prosecutor Huneryeager told the Board he received the Grant for the position so it is funded. Councilman Click moved to accept this budget as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 7-0. The total of the budget is $47,939.

IV-D
Councilman Click moved to reinstate the position requested. Council had removed this position in the work sessions. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0. Councilman Click moved to allow one 1st Deputy as requested with the salary adjustment and accept the 02, 03, 04 portions of the budget as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total budget is $137,574.

USER FEE & PRE TRIAL (DEFERRAL)
Councilperson Mull moved to approve on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 7-0. The total budget is $257,315.

SUPERIOR COURT
Councilman click moved to approve as amended in the work sessions on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0. The total is $108,892.

SUPERIOR COURT 2
Councilman Click moves to approve the 3% raises and approve the 02, 03, 04 categories of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

CIRCUIT COURT
Judge Spahr asked if the Council could reduce appellate appeals to $1,000 and add $1,000 to the extra help/interpreter line of the budget. He stated he is having several deaf defendants in his Court that needs assistance. Councilman Click moved to approve this adjustment and accept the rest of the budget as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

ASSESSOR
Assessor Nancy Gates requested an additional 2 Deputy position’s in her budgets. One would be in the Assessor budget and one in Reassessment.

Mrs. Gates explained that the reassessment would be done on a contractual basis. The pay will be per parcel. Councilperson Mull moved to approve on the first reading as amended. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 7-0. The total is $99,992.

REASSESSMENT
Councilman Click moved to approve as amended with the salary adjustments of 3% and $1,000 for the first deputy positions. The motion was 2nd by Councilperson Mull and passed 7-0.

Recess for lunch

Reconvened at 1:00 pm

Councilman Kendall and Mull did not return after lunch.

9-1-1
Jim Comerford spoke on behalf of the 9-1-1 budgets. He told of the funding shift from AT&T to smaller companies. The money seems to be the same it is just coming from a different source. Councilman Click moved to approve section one with a 3% raise plus a $1,000 raise for dispatchers. The part time pay rate is to be established at $13.20 per hour. Councilman Click also included approving the rest of the budget as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.

PROBATION
Susan Rice explained the raises from the State and asked that her office staff be given the same raise as a first deputy. Councilman McAuliffe said they do not fall under the statute of a first deputy. They cannot do her job if she is out. Councilman Click moved to grant the request for the additional officer at a salary of $35,047 and the rest of the budget as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

Councilman Click moved to keep the amounts as presented with no raises in the 01 portion and for any raises to come from the user fees. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt. Councilman Duckwall feels 3% raises should be discussed. Councilman click withdrew his motion. Councilman click moved to keep the pay levels for the Probation Officer’s the same with a 3% raise for the secretary positions. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

Councilman Click moved to approve the rest of the budget as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0. The total budget is $242,721.

ADULT PROBATION
Susan Rice said she has two secretaries paid at same pay scale as a first deputy and said she feels they should receive the 3% and the $1,000 increase adjustment. Councilman Duckwall said they couldn’t step in and take over in her absence. Councilman Click moved to accept the entire budget as amended. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.
The total budget is $161,431.

JUVENILE PROBATION
Councilman Click moved to approve the budget as submitted on first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

USER FEE/DRUG AND ALCOHOL (252)
Councilman Click moved to approve as amended on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0. The total budget is $91,609.

SHERIFF
Councilman Click moved to approve with the 3% increase in the 01 section of the Sheriff’s budget. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

Councilman Click moved to approve the 02, 03, 04 portions of the budget as presented on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0. The total of this budget is $1,103,315

JAIL
Sheriff Roland said he did not know there were discrepancies in pay between his IDAC operators/dispatchers and the 9-1-1 Center IDAC operators/dispatchers until today. They are doing the same jobs. His IDAC operator trainer and sex offender employee is paid less with much more responsibility and a much heavier work load.
Commissioner Hawley explained how the County has to step up and support the jail and the Sheriff. Council President Duckwall suggested putting in the half salary and approving the 3% raise for the new employees. Sheriff Roland said the jailers should be hired by April so it should be 75% of the salary for 2009.

Councilman Click moved to approve the 01 category of the Jail budget for 2009 as amended with the new hires to be appropriated at 75% of the year’s salary. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

Councilman Click moved to approve the rest of the jail budget as amended in the workshop. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

NEW JAIL BUDGET
A motion was made by Councilman Click to approve as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

TRANSPORT OFFICER
It is noted this is paid out of the misdemeanant fund.
Councilman Hunt moved to approve as presented in the first reading of the 2009 budgets. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS
Due to House Bill 1001 the township assessors budgets were incorporated into the County Assessor’s budget and the County will not address or allow a budget for these positions separately from the County Assessor.

HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
PHASE 1
Highway Engineer Sam Waltz thanked the Council for the funds for roads out of the CEDIT budget. He explained how he has not replaced employees when one left and one passed away. Councilman Click moved to approve the budget with the raises and adjustments established by the Council. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

PHASE 2
Councilman Click moved to adopt the rates for the Highway Department and approve the rest of the budget as presented.
The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 4-1 Councilman Hunt abstained from this vote.

Councilman Click moves to adjust the Supervisors salary from $41,375 to $42,375. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 4-1 with Councilman Hunt Abstaining.

PHASE 111
The rates established were as follows:
Foreman 17.36
Asst. Foreman 15.54
Equip Operator 15.36
Truck Driver 14.68
Mechanic 16.54
Common Labor 10.50
Sign Man 14.88
Custodian 10.52
Summer Help 9.50
Bridge Const Crew 15.54
Bridge Common 10.50

A motion to approve the rest of the budget as amended was made by Councilman Click and 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe. The motion passed 4-1 with Councilman Hunt Abstaining.

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE
Councilman click moved to approve as presented with the rates set. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

PLANNING AND ZONING
Darrel Wooten asked that his assistant be paid at the first deputy rate, she is currently paid at a second deputy rate. He stated there have been a lot more responsibilities added to her position and he feels she deserves it. Councilman Bill Click asked the Auditor if they changed her title could her pay be adjusted. Yes she could be paid whatever the Council chose to pay her as an assistant. Councilman Click moved to rename the position to Assistant and pay her the 3% raise and give the additional $1,000. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

CASA
Councilman Click moved to give the 3% wage increase and give an extra $1,000 to John Walker as the Assistant to the CASA Director and to approve all the rest of the budget as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.

HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Commissioner Hawley explained the changes in the last few months to the Health Department. The food inspector resigned, they have restricted the use of vehicles and stopped the comp time. They are in the midst of restructuring the budgets. They have implemented an increase to fees which will help with the income. Dr. Farag asked that the $16,000 left for the Food Specialist be divided among the rest of the staff.

HEALTH GRANT (217)
Councilman Hunt made a motion to accept this as presented. The position will get a 3% raise but the Grant only covers $20,000.

VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE
Councilman Click moved to set the VSO Officer at $26,500 and the Assistant $23,866. And approve the rest of the budget as presented. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

PUBLIC DEFENDER
Councilman Click moved to approve the 3% raise for the clerks and the balance as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 3-0.

PUBLIC DEFENDER SUPPLEMENTAL
Councilman Click moved to approve the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

MUSEUM
Councilman Click moved to allow the 3 percent raise for those employees and accept the balance of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

CORONER
Councilman Click moved to approve as requested on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Wiles and passed 5-0.

LCC
Councilman click moved to approve as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.

LEPC
Councilman Click moved to approve as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
Councilman Click moved to approve as submitted on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman Hunt and passed 5-0.

CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
Councilman moved to give the deputies 3% raise and the first deputies an additional $1,000 adjustment to their pay, and to approve the rest of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

CLERK OF THE SUPERIOR COURT
Councilman click moved to delete 2 deputy positions and give the 3% increase and accept the balance of the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

CLERK OF ELECTIONS
Councilman Click moved to accept the budget as submitted. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

VOTER REGISTRATION CLERK
Councilman Click moved to approve as submitted with the raise of 3% and $1,000 pay adjustment for the first deputy. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

COUNTY COUNCIL
Councilman Click moved to approve with salary adjustments on the first reading. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe and passed 5-0.

Councilman Click moved to adjourn. The motion was 2nd by Councilman McAuliffe.

Adjourned

Respectfully Submitted,
Brenda Weaver, Auditor