REGULAR SESSION
DECEMBER 4, 2006 AT 6:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: Dennis D. O’Hair, President
Kristina Warren, Vice President
Gene R. Beck
COUNTY ATTORNEY: Scott Hoff
AUDITOR: Stephanie Campbell
DEPUTY AUDITOR: Carrie Boling
COUNCIL MEMBER: Larry Parker
AUDIENCE: 22 Individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 4, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.
HIGHWAY
Attorney Scott Hoff went over the annual bids for the highway.
FIREFIGHTING TRAINING FACILITY
EMA Director Kim Hyten discussed the property near the Highway Department. Greencastle Fire Chief Bill Newgent is interested in building a fire fighting training facility near the existing Putnam County Training Facility. Discussion was made on how the firing range was done. Mr. Hyten said he would find out what the city has to offer.
PAYROLL
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve December 1, 2006 payroll. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
REGULAR & EMERGENCY CLAIMS
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve claims. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
DECEMBER 29, 2006
Commissioner Warren made the motion to give county employees half day off on Dec. 29, 2006 for New Year’s Eve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
SPECIAL MEETING
Need to advertise a special meeting for Dec. 28 at 9:00 for appointments and claims. Commissioner Warren made the motion. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
2007 PAYROLL SCHEDULE
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
2007 COMMISSIONER SCHEDULE
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
2007 HOLIDAY SCHEDULE
Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
COURTHOUSE
Payroll Deputy Carrie Boling explained that she had received several questions from employees regarding compensatory time when the courthouse had to close early. She reminded the Commissioners that the courthouse closed at 11:30 a.m. on November 27, 2006 due to electrical problems.
Commissioner O’Hair asked why it was an issue because all the employees had gone home for the day. Ms. Boling continued to explain that she was made aware that one of the offices had decided to stay and work. The Commissioners agreed that this is definitely a safety issue and when they shut down the courthouse everyone must leave.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to deny any compensatory time turned in for this day and that all employees must leave during such an emergency. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
1. Latitude Subrogation Services-Cash Concrete Claim.
2. IDEM-Mark Legan Confined Feeding Operation.
3. GIE-Bonnie Helton Claim.
4. Bituminous-Donnie Pettit Loss Acknowledgement.
5. Microfilm Progress Report-November 2006.
6. Clerk’s Monthly Report-October 2006.
The mail was acknowledged.
EXTENSION
Lauralee Baugh said that they had an eventful and exciting annual meeting last Thursday. Creative writing workshops have started and 2007 4-H is on its way. She explained that she was completing the Civil Rights Compliance Form for 2006 and asked the Commissioners why the annex does not have a push pad entrance to the building. She wondered if this had ever been addressed. The Commissioners recognize it as a need but it has never been discussed since the annex was a temporary location.
OPERATION LIFE ANNUAL CONTRACT
Kraig Kinney presented the 2007 Operation Life Contract. Commissioner Warren made the motion to approve. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner O’Hair commended Kraig Kinney on his hard work and congratulated him and his staff for the hard work and dedication for the benefit of Putnam County residents.
THIRD COURTROOM
Judge Lowe apologized for bringing it forward so late, he had hoped to wait until the first of the year but Legislature is needing approval by December 15, 2006. If approved, Legislature will then go forward through 2007 for 2008 to elect a new judge in 2009. He explained the need for the new court due to increase in population and change in demographics.
Judge Lowe ended on a personal note and explained that he has been in the criminal justice system for 26 years, he believes that the system and the public will suffer without the third court. He is not running for judge again and will not be here when it goes into effect. If it is not decided now, the county will have to wait until 2011, otherwise a judge would need to be appointed.
Commissioner Beck asked why they would have to wait until 2011. Judge Lowe explained that short of an emergency appointment by the Governor, we would have to wait until 2011 to fall into an election year.
Judge Lowe said by state measures the two courts are currently doing the work of three. Creating a new court does not create anymore cases. There are no criminal cases to be handled in the third court only civil cases. Judge Lowe felt it would it would not be a necessity for additional personnel in any other offices.
Judge Headley gave facts and figures and explained that they are the 8th highest county in the state for caseloads. The cost for the new court will not affect any other type of government office, only the tax levy. They modeled the conversion after Hendricks County. He is suggesting the new courtroom be moved into the old BMV room on the first floor of the courthouse. The probation offices could probably be moved into another community based office.
Judge Headley gave costs from the economic development commission. He estimated $75,000 for the conversion of the current spaces to a courtroom. Having the third court be a civil court only would help in decreasing the costs like extra prosecutors, defenders, etc.
Judge Headley explained the scenario of a future judge mandating criminal jurisdiction over the new court. They would have to justify the need and the costs and Judge Headley said he would testify on the side of the Commissioners and the county as to why the newly created court was to be a civil court only.
Commissioner Warren said by her figures from the information given tonight by the judges, they were looking at an increased tax levy of $260,000. If you take out the extra position for the clerk, it would be $216,000. The Commissioners & Council would have to take a look at increasing the property taxes. Judge Headley suggested using the Cumulative Courthouse Fund and the existing budget to fund the conversion. The Commissioners said that the Cumulative Courthouse Fund is tapped with all the repairs.
Commissioner Beck asked if they really thought they could do the conversion for only $75,000 and asked if the windows downstairs had to be safety or bulletproof glass. Judge Headley said he was not sure if there were any regulations regarding bulletproof glass since it would be on the first floor windows.
Commissioner O’Hair asked if there was a standard for a new court room. Judge Headley said that one in Hendricks County has 1,400 square feet and is relatively small.
Commissioner Warren, Keith Berry, Darrel Thomas, Marty Watts, Jamie France, Kim Hyten, Scott Hoff, Tim Bookwalter, and Mark Frisbie all served on the new court committee.
Commissioner O’Hair agrees that there is a real need for the new court and also for a new annex. This is just a small portion of the big picture that this county needs. Commissioners and Council need to figure out how to meet these needs.
Judge Headley said if the Commissioners do not approve it tonight, then there is no need to go before the Council. He explained that there is a long legislative process. He suggested going forward and if they change their mind then they can pull it.
Commissioner Beck explained that in 2008 the highway garage will be paid off and then the money could go toward an annex. Financially it is all tied in together as far as the Commissioners and the Council is concerned.
Commissioner Warren stated she did not feel comfortable in going forward with this and then dumping it onto the Council and asking them to fund it. She suggested a joint meeting between the Council and Commissioners. The Council was meeting on December 15th.
Commissioner Beck says it bothers him because last year the county had to lay off 17 people because of the budget and then we are looking at coming back this year and raising everybody’s taxes in Putnam County.
County Attorney Scott Hoff said that once it is in legislature it can not be pulled, it will either happen or it will not.
Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter said that Clerk Opal Sutherlin feels she would need two new clerks and there are weight issues on the 2nd floor. He reminded the Commissioners of the defective northeast corner of the courthouse and that an engineer would need to look at it. Hendricks County budget included new personnel in their estimates. He suggested to get all the costs that you would need before submitting it to Legislature because once it goes you will lose all control. He said not to leave anything out in this plan because you could always take it out later. If you do it, do it the right way.
Mr. Bookwalter continued to explain that there is no full time security in thecourthouse now and the creation of a 3rd court would make it a necessity to have full time security person. This would need to be included in the Sheriff’s budget. Mr. Bookwalter said that once Judge Lowe leaves there will be two new judges, and Judge Headley is only one vote if they ever decided to change the court from civil to criminal. Judge Headley corrected Mr. Bookwalter by saying it would go to the Supreme Court and they would have to prove the need.
Commissioner Warren would like to hold a joint session on December 15, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. Council Member Larry Parker would like to have all the facts and figures and suggested contacting the other Council members.
Kathy VanArsdale asked if we concentrated on the annex then it would cause more room for the courts at the courthouse. Commissioner O’Hair said this is what was in the original plans for the annex.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to table until the joint session with the Council on December 15, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
BOARD OF HEALTH CONTRACT
Dr. Heavin and Beth Glaze explained the need for reorganization in their office and presented three contracts. Public Health Nurse Rhonda Kessler resigned a few weeks ago and Sanitarian Holly Wood has asked to go part time. The three contracts are for Holly Wood, Sandi Clark, and Ann Marie Weatherford.
Beth Glaze had been filling out her timesheets as a nonexempt employee. However, due to her job responsibilities she is really an exempt employee. Because of this change they are requesting a change in salary.
Commissioner Beck made the motion to approve the three contracts. Commissioner Warren seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Dr. Heavin wanted to suggest reappointing Dr. Macy and Dr. Brattain for the upcoming appointments to their board.
County Attorney Scott Hoff said that from now on contracts will need to be signed by a Commissioner and not signed by someone in the office. Office holders are not to sign contracts.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to table the bids until the next meeting. Commissioner Beck seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner Warren made the motion to adjourn. Commissioner O’Hair seconded. The motion carried unanimously.
________________________________ _______________________________
________________________________ _______________________________
Gene R. Beck Attest: Stephanie Campbell
Auditor