COMMISSIONERS: Dennis O’Hair, President

Kristina Warren, Vice-President

Gene Beck

COUNTY ATTORNEY: Timothy Bookwalter

DEPUTY AUDITOR: Carrie Boling

AUDIENCE MEMBERS: Thirteen Individuals

The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in a regular session on January 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Annex. The pledge to the flag was given.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Gene Beck made the motion to appoint Dennis O’Hair as President, Kristina Warren seconded. The motion carried. Gene Beck made the motion to appoint Kristina Warren as Vice-President, Dennis O’Hair seconded. The motion carried.

HIGHWAY

David Sutherlin, Putnam County Highway Department Superintendent, had the Commissioners sign a lessee’s authorizing resolution to lease three new graders from Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation.

COUNTY ISSUES

Marilyn Bigelow gave the Commissioners the minutes from the last website meeting. And a request that memos get sent out about the website being updated. Ms. Bigelow asked the Commissioners if they had time to discuss the question that Mary Williams had. She wanted to know if they would be able to post candidate information for next year’s election on the county’s website. Commissioner Beck said he wasn’t sure if it would be legal.

Ms. Bigelow asked if they could keep track of when terms for appointments started and ended. Commissioner Warren suggested she ask Putnam County Auditor, Stephanie Campbell, about keeping appointments up to date. Ms. Bigelow asked if the appointments had set terms. County Attorney, Timothy Bookwalter said all of the appointments had different terms. He said that the boards usually contacted the county when they needed someone appointed. Ms. Bigelow volunteered to research the different appointments and terms.

AUDITOR’S OFFICE

The Commissioners were discussing the number of insurance companies attending the meetings. They suggested contacting an independent consultant to help the county compare all of these health insurance companies. Commissioner O’Hair was extremely satisfied with the results that Richard Sutton, from D.B. Englehart & Associates did a few years back. Commissioner Beck made a motion for the Auditor’s Office to contact him to attend the Commissioners January 17^th meeting. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.

DECEMBER 30, 2005 PAYROLL

Commissioner O’Hair made a motion to approve payroll. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.

PUTNAM COUNTY MUSEUM

Stacey Klingler, from the Putnam County Museum, would like to use the gym at the Annex for play rehearsals. They would be using it from January 5^th through January 29^th. The rehearsals would be Tuesday through Friday 7-9 p.m. and Sundays 1-4 p.m. She had spoken with Kim Hyten and he shared his concerned about the county being liable for any accidents. Would they sign a waiver of liability?

Commissioner O’Hair is concerned that the doors would be opened accidentally and be kept opened. Ms. Klingler suggested giving access to the east door only.

After some discussion, Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve pending signed agreements of liability turned into the Auditor’s Office. Tim Bookwalter would draw them up. Commissioner Beck suggested cleaning up when done and then seconded the motion. The motion carried.

APEX INSURANCE

Commissioner O’Hair said that before he allowed Apex to get started that he wanted them to be aware that the county already voted and approved to hire a consultant to come in and compare our health policies.

Commissioner O’Hair said we are getting bombarded by companies coming in with new health policies. It’s basically taking too much of their time and they want a professional service to come in and evaluate all companies and the county’s plan to make sure that we’re getting the best policy for our money. Renewal date is February 1^st and we are not ready to change policies. Commissioner O’Hair wanted it very clear that tonight there will be no vote and no change until we get the consultant hired.

John Kause, president of APEX, serves as an independent consultant for different organizations. He provided the Commissioners with a list of information that they have been working on for the last four to five months. They have analyzed our financials and have done a lot of work with Anthem.

Commissioner Warren asked if we switched carriers if there would be run over claims. Mr. Kause believes if we left Anthem that we would not be responsible for left over claims.

Commissioner O’Hair said he knew that they had put a lot of work into this already. They want to make sure the county is comparing apples to apples. Commissioner O’Hair said that D.B. Englehart did a professional job that saved our county money and he feels a little dedication to go back to him.

STRATEGIC HEALTH PLAN

Jay Harvey, Strategic Health Plans, believes he would be in direct competition with the consultant we are getting ready to hire. He said he could facilitate the negotiating process for the county. Commissioner O’Hair said the carrier we have now is really working with the employees to help educate them to save the county money.

BOARD OF HEALTH – NURSE CONTRACT

Dr. Heavin, from the Board of Health, presented the annual contract for the nurse. He is very pleased with her work. Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried.

Commissioner Beck asked Dr. Heavin if he ever found out who was checking the fuel in the generator. He said he has not found out. They suggested having Dave Denny check into it. They don’t believe it’s been filled since it’s been put in. Commissioner Beck asked David Sutherlin to have someone check it.

HBG – SOIL & WATER

Commissioner Warren stated the county’s insurance carrier was questioning the Soil & Water department being a county government entity. The insurance carrier said they would accept a letter from the Board of Commissioners regarding the issue. If they do not receive a letter of recognition then Soil & Water will no longer be covered under the county’s insurance policy. Commissioner Warren made a motion to make Soil & Water a county entity and send the liability insurance carrier a letter. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried.

MAIL

1. Floyd Township Fire District Minutes.

2. IDEM – Cloverdale Travel Plaza.

3. Letter from Governor’s Office – Trip to New Orleans.

4. State Board of Accounts Audit for 2004.

The Commissioners acknowledged the mail.

ADJOURN

Commissioner Warren made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried.

_____________________________ _______________________________

Dennis D. O’Hair, President Kristina Warren, V. President

_____________________________ _______________________________

Gene R. Beck Attest: Carrie Boling,

Deputy Auditor