County Council Meeting Minutes

December 21, 2010

MIAMI COUNTY COUNCIL
25 NORTH BROADWAY
PERU, INDIANA 46970
DECEMBER 21, 2010

Council President Ralph Duckwall called the meeting to order and Councilman Wiles led the group in prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. All members are in attendance.

COMMUNCIATIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
None

MINUTES
Councilman Wiles moved to approve the November 16th minutes. The motion was 2nd by Councilwoman Mull and passed 7-0.

RE-ORGANIZATION
Since the membership will be the same for 2011 as it is for 2010, the council decided to re-organize. Council President Duckwall turned the meeting over to Vice-President McAuliffe for nominations for President of the Council. Councilwoman Mull nominated Councilman Duckwall for President and Councilman Hunt 2nd the nomination. There were no other nominations and the nomination was passed 6-0-1 (Duckwall abstained). The meeting was turned back over to President Duckwall.

President Duckwall asked for nominations for Vice-President. Councilman Wiles nominated Councilman McAuliffe for Vice-President. The nomination was 2nd by Councilwoman Mull and passed 6-0-1 (McAuliffe abstained).

Councilman McAuliffe made a motion that all council members would remain on their current committees. (List attached) Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0

Councilman McAuliffe made a motion to re-appoint Jim Wilson to the Alcohol Board, Ken Spangler to the Plan Commission and Chris Bishop to the PTABOA Board. Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

ITEMS FOR COUNCIL ACTION
TRANSFER
Rebecca Morris, Treasurer, asked the Board for permission to move $1,275 from her supplies to her bond line to enable her to go ahead and pay for her 2011 bond. Councilman Hunt made a motion to allow and Councilwoman Mull 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

COUNTY ATTORNEY APPOINTMENT
President Duckwall announced he would entertain a motion to appoint Jeff Price as County Council Attorney. Councilman Hunt made a motion to appoint Mr. Price and Councilman Jon Donaldson 2nd the motion. Councilwoman Mull asked if it would be a conflict for Mr. Price since he is the attorney for MCEDA. President Duckwall did not feel it would be a conflict. The motion passed 5-2 with Councilman Wiles and Councilwoman Mull casting the nay votes. Councilwoman Mull still feels it is a conflict because Mr. Price is the attorney for MCEDA.

BUDGET AGJUSTMENTS
Councilman McAuliffe made a motion to cut $24,000 fro the Sheriff’s budget because the Deferral fund paid for a car this year. Councilman Donaldson 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

Councilman Donaldson made a motion to cut the appropriation for the 2-1-1 completely. Councilman Wiles 2nd the motion and it passed 6-1 with Councilwoman Mull casting the nay vote due to her belief that people do use that service.

Councilman McAuliffe made a motion to cut the supplies for Clerk – Circuit, Clerk-Superior, and Clerk Election from $6,000 to $3,000 each. Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

Councilman Donaldson made a motion to keep the salary for the Jail Commander and Assistant Jail Commander the same and increase the 3 Sergeants in the Jail budget $200 each due to the added responsibility. Councilman Hunt 2nd the motion and it passed 7-0.

Sheriff Elect Tim Miller asked the Board for permission to fill the merit deputy position that will be vacant Dec 31st due to the retirement of Major Hunter from the road as well as filling the vacancy of an IDAC operator that will also be vacant December 31st. Councilwoman Mull made a motion to allow and Councilman McAuliffe 2nd the motion. Motion passed 7-0.

The topic of replacing positions sparked a debate on the process of filling a vacated position. Some fill if the money is already appropriated, the Department Head/Elected Official should automatically be able to fill it. Others feel that money is very tight right now and hiring for any position should be monitored. After some discussion, it was decided that the Department Head/Elected Official should go before the Board of Commissioners and with their consent go before the Council.

Councilwoman Mull thanked Major Hunter for his years of service.

The Board of Commissioners discussed hiring a replacement for the switchboard operator/float.

COMMITTEE UPDATES
None

PUBLIC COMMENT
Julie Sisson, Courthouse employee, thanked the Council for not doing away with the longevity for employees, it is very much appreciated.

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

Respectfully submitted

_____________
Jane Lilley
Miami County Auditor