- welcome everybody and again we apologize for the technical difficulties that's what happens when this
- is live so thanks for TSD for getting us back on track here and our mics working because I know we got
- a lot to say so we want to make sure that it captures everything so welcome everybody to the
- 23rd of September, 2025, a regular session of the Monroe County Council, present in the NatU Hill Room.
- We have counselors, Spidal, Deckert, Henry, Iverson, and Hawk, and not present today in person and via
- Teams is Councilor Wilts. So we will go ahead and get into it. And so all those that are able to stand,
- please stand for the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
- United States of America for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for
- all. Okay. All right. So next up is the adoption of the agenda. And does anybody wish to amend tonight's agenda?
- Yes, Council Iverson. Madam President, I would like to amend the agenda by tabling items 7B and 9G to
- our next meeting, which is Tuesday, October the 14th. Second. Okay, we got a motion and a second to
- table those items to October 14th. Yeah, I think you can.
- I would also like to table item 11 a which is resolution 2025 37 to the October 14th council meeting
- Second I also like to amend items 11 C overtime resolution and 11 D hiring freeze resolution to the
- discussion items and possible approval of
- to allow for further council input to these resolutions. And lastly, I would like to amend the agenda
- to add item 11F, a discussion to amend resolution 2025-27, establishing 2026 minimum cash balances and
- move the 2026 budget reviews to item 11G.
- Okay. All right. Thank you for that. Um, yes, counselor hawk. Okay. Uh, the, um, resolutions. Uh, did
- you table that child out from what? What was your motion? Uh, my, the first motion dealing with the
- resolution was to table item 11 a
- Okay. To the October 14th council meeting. Okay. And I wanted to amend items 11 C and 11 D to allow
- not only for discussion, but also possible approval. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. All right. So
- we got a motion and a second. And so is everybody clear on those motions? Okay.
- and no further discussion. Looking to my right. Does anybody else have any questions over here? Yes.
- Information. So on item 9A through D, is there an opportunity to combine for simultaneous on here rather
- than for separate items? Yes. Within the motion that I have provided in the script, I have combined
- A and B into one motion and C and D into one motion.
- Thank you for that. Okay. So Madam President, I have another motion. So we have under consent agenda
- item B, the request for approval of creation of new account lines simultaneously approved category transfer
- in the health fund. Councillor Iverson, you didn't table that one, is that correct? I did. Oh, that
- is the tabled one? Yes. All right, thank you for the clarification. Okay. Yeah, that's, thank you.
- Okay. So to run it back, just to make sure that we all know, item 7B and 9G is tabled to 1014. Resolution
- 11A is tabled to October 14th. The resolutions regarding overtime and a higher end freeze is a discussion
- and possible approval for tonight. And we also are amending the agenda to add item 11F
- for discussion to amend the resolution that establishes the minimum cash balances. So once again, I
- wanna make sure everybody is heard here. Is everybody clear on the motions? And is there any further
- discussion related to amending tonight's agenda? Seeing none.
- All those in favor of approving tonight's agenda as amended signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed,
- same sign. Okay, motion carries. Thank you all for that.
- So next up is item number four, which is public comment. And so this is the opportunity for those that
- are here present in the Nattie Hill Room to speak on items that are not on tonight's agenda. If you
- are here in the Nattie Hill Room, you can make your public comment by coming forward to the lecture
- here and the Nattie Hill Room, and you will have up to three minutes. And those that are present via
- Teams also can make public comment, but you can also raise your hand via Teams and you too will have
- up to three minutes. So I'm going to look here to the Nightingale room to see if there's anybody that
- would like to make public comment again on items not on the agenda. Please come forward to the lecture.
- And then I'm going to look via Teams to see if we have some hands raised to see if anybody would like
- to make public comment via Teams.
- Right. And seeing none seems like we are all ready to go here. So we will move forward with making.
- or closing out public comment and move forward to department updates. So next up for department updates,
- if there are any departments that are via Teams or present here in the NattU Hill Room, you have up
- to 10 minutes to talk about items that are not on tonight's agenda. And again, you can raise your hand
- via Teams or you can come here to the lectern here in the NattU Hill Room. Right. And seeing none on that.
- Next up is item number six, which is the update and discussion regarding the American Rescue Plan Act,
- also known as ARPA projects. So at this time, I would like to invite, I see one commissioner here present.
- So you all can come on up here and you can have a seat here at the table and we will open up the conversation
- on our ARPA projects and discussions of
- those items and next steps. Do you want me to start? You can go ahead. Welcome. Yeah, and I think I'm
- maybe the reason we're having this meeting. I've been working with our health department and the auditor's
- office has been working with the health department on the septic agreements and septic contracts. Right
- now we have roughly 600,000
- out in approved contracts to replace septic systems. Excuse me. And I think we're going to struggle
- to get enough contracts done that we are going to have the ability to say for certain that we're going
- to be able to spend all the money by the end of next year. A lot of that has to do with the really wet
- year we had this year because you can only put
- septic systems in when it's dry. Right now, I think we're starting, you know, I saw quotes come in today
- for a new agreement, which, you know, so I think there's still time left this year. But I think when
- we were discussing it, we also want to be sensitive to the fact that we do have a hard deadline for
- these funds to be used. And so our internal discussion had us
- going to the council, going to the commissioners and expressing, hey, can we have till maybe December
- 1 or Thanksgiving summer on there, kind of as a hard cutoff to get these contracts in place. And then
- after we have that, then we would have a number that's uncontracted that we would know what that overage
- is. And then those contracts would primarily be for placements next summer, right? So we would, we wanna
- be sensitive to, we think the septic is a big need.
- Clearly we've we've done a lot of septic programs We also want to be sensitive that we want to make
- sure that we spend every dollar that we get from the federal government for the ARPA programs and so
- I think our plan was talk to the council talk to the commissioners see if we could get a see if you
- guys are comfortable with us having that kind of December one hard deadline and
- getting those contracts in and then that way in December you would know exactly what we wouldn't have
- obligated under and under contract. For that our program and then we could have a discussion of what
- that overages and then what we could what you guys wish to do with the whatever amount it is. Is that.
- So we don't know the number yet we will know the number once we know the number we will also know whether
- it's in restricted or unrestricted and.
- we'll come up with an options list and we'll talk through it with y'all and There's really nothing to
- decide today. This is really just a discussion item so that you're aware of of what's happening and
- We're keeping track of the calendar and the budgets both Okay, and I know before I open it up to council
- I wanted to look to see if the auditor had any
- anything to add to that discussion there. Good evening council. We just want to remind the public and
- everyone that these dollars have to be expended by December of 2026. So if we do make any adjustments
- to a contract we would need to keep that in mind.
- we did recommend that we have a backup plan if any contracts were to come in short of what is currently
- obligated. Thank you. I'm curious to hear what council members have to think about the deadlines because
- I guess personally I was thinking we would know a little bit more this evening because I think while
- we all have budget brain right now it's definitely something to think about in terms of
- some of the conversations that we've had where we have potentially listed out things where we could
- possibly use the ARPA funding and remove it from budget and possibly put it into ARPA projects. So I
- was hoping because in fact, and correct me if I'm wrong, y'all, we heard during the convention centers
- or that budget
- something about a broken elevator, and I had broke down in my notes here, something related to possibly
- using ARPA to have, or to have funding for that. So yeah, I mean, I was hoping that we would have more
- information tonight. So I'll look over here to my right and see if y'all have any questions or comments.
- So it looks like,
- everybody has a line here. So usually when everybody raises their hand, I'll just go down the soldiering
- line here. So I'll start off with Councilor Iverson. Thank you, Madam President. Thanks for being here
- on yet another night. And, you know, we certainly got the message that weather is playing a huge role
- here in these septic systems. So thanks for keeping us in the loop.
- And hopefully, we can get more of those out there. I certainly have had septic systems in the past.
- And they're pretty nasty to deal with when they're old. And so I'm certainly appreciative of our work
- on this. My first, I guess, septic is just one of 14 lines where there's unexpended dollars. And I certainly
- am. Look, the septic is the one where the unexpended is the highest percentage.
- So do we know in the five point eight million dollars of unexpended dollars. Do we have other account
- lines that we need to be highlighting for concerned they may not be expended by December thirty first
- twenty twenty six. I know that. The for me what I know for sure is that the septic is the one
- I think. For these other projects we have. Prop contracts in place I think I think commissioners just
- heard the last another can I was the last convention center related ARPA contract like two weeks ago
- or ten days ago so. I mean this is the bills are not in yet because the contract was just approved so I think.
- This is something we will obviously be looking at, but I just think right now it's actually premature
- to say, oh, look, there's money left over because I don't think that there is necessarily. And I know
- the numbers look big, but I don't think that reflects the reality. In some cases, we just haven't gotten
- billed yet. And we know the projects out there are the contracts approved. Sure. Can I hear from the
- auditor's office? I think you had something to say on this.
- Yeah if you don't mind I can share my screen so the public can see what we're seeing please. So you
- should be able to see the projects in green that have
- So Mr. Prider just pointed out to me, for example, under the Convention Center, since that was raised,
- that it shows here $101,864.56 on expended, but by his calculations, based on projects that had been
- contracted or need to be completed, we're going to be down to about $10,000. So I do think there's going to be
- little bits of money left in some of these funds. And we will be talking through what can be done with
- that. But I think, again, I know you're in the middle of budget crisis mode. But I don't think that
- today is going to be the day where we can say, oh, money's done. It's over with. Whatever's left over
- goes to something else. I just think that there are things outstanding.
- Sure. Did you have more to say from the auditor's office or you just wanted to show what I was reading?
- So in front of you you can see the green cells that have unexpended balances. We have not received any
- indicators that any other projects will come in under budget, but it's always good to have a backup
- plan, especially because it does take time to get these two groups together and make those decisions.
- We would hate to
- And in a way that we don't have a clear path as to what both bodies would like if we do come into a
- scenario where additional funds are utilized. And as we've discussed before, we do have distinctions
- between how some of this money can be spent.
- So you'll notice that some of the cells are colored in orange and some of them are in yellow. We have
- limitations to our unrestricted expenditures. So as of right now, those yellow cells are all of our
- lost revenue dollars, which are unrestricted. That limit that we can spend is $10 million.
- As of right now, we have $152,243.76 of this money that could be obligated. I'm so sorry. It's obligated,
- but if we wanted to move any of these around, we couldn't exceed the $10 million. Okay. And then, Madam
- President, can I just say one last thing?
- I am in favor of a backup plan, and Commissioner Thomas, I think one of the things that could be in
- that backup plan is what you just mentioned, where some of these funds are gonna have a little bit of
- money in them, and what do we do with that little bit of money? And restricted versus non-restricted
- is going to give us a really powerful indicator about what we can actually spend that money on. We may
- be very limited in what we can do with some of it, so we need to be careful about that. I agree, okay.
- Thank you, Madam President. Thank you, Commissioner Thomas, as well. And I think Peter really answered
- quite a few of my questions in terms of residuals and what is able to be, I want to caution by saying
- reprogrammed, but we are talking about whatever the residuals are here. And yeah, and there were two
- that jumped off the page of me here.
- I know we're working hard on the Karst field project, but I'm also looking at the general obligation
- bond asking for almost $905,000 for the nature preserve and the proposed GO bond we're going to talk
- about later this evening. So it's something like that, right? Where if we have unexpended here, it looks
- like we have some ideas here. It sounds like there's another set of numbers that aren't before us. Maybe
- we can talk about the park one first for a minute. That might be helpful.
- Two million and change? Yeah, where's the status on that one? Yeah, hi. We swapped in, all right. Yeah,
- and on the screen for folks, it is line item, thank you, 37, Carsefields. Yeah. Yeah. Do you want me
- to talk to you about the unexpended? Yeah, what's unexpended? Because that's a huge item here right
- now, yeah. It will all be probably gone in 90 days. OK, that's easy.
- And we actually need more money if possible, because I think you all remember the airport's farm field
- that has an ARPA caused us to have $114,000 drainage issue for this project. So we would take anything
- additional to make up that $114,000. I mean, there is in line 38, almost $1.6 million in airport stormwater
- and drainage.
- again I guess but I guess the commissioner Thomas's point there's another set of numbers here we haven't
- scraped yet so this is kind of the I think the stuff that we're looking for the only other one I thank
- you for that by the way yeah thank you for that the only other one I guess I have a question about it
- and I know counselor wilts if she were here she's asked about this before on line thirty three the jail
- transition contract we were starting to see- continued travel on that line item even though it seems
- like a lot of the-
- planning with the LZ is kind of done, but there seems to be receipts still for travel being filed on
- that contract. Does anyone have any Commissioner Thomas? No idea on it. Okay. Okay. That's fair. Just
- want to highlight. Thanks. Okay. Thank you. Yes. Council. Yes. Seeing 233,000 approximately for that's
- still left to be expanded for jail locks. So I think we should check to see if they need
- That's one of the things we discussed not long ago was like, if you have a problem, let's get that taken
- care of. Can't wait for five years for a new jail. I see the auditor staff has something. I did have
- communication with the financial manager in that department and it does sound like they are on track
- to spend those dollars. Those dollars are not available then.
- And I also see under line six COVID vaccine that it looks as if that has all been expended out. Is that
- correct? Yeah, the only ones that are active are the green. Right. I just want to call our attention
- to that since there's been a lot of discussion.
- Thank you very much Mike. My question is so lost revenue or Restricted line we can add to or we can
- juggle around help me out with the auditor. I want to make sure I got it right. I Apologize for that
- jumbled explanation. No, it's me not you So we cannot increase our obligations for the lost revenue
- category beyond 10 million right now and
- we are short of that 10 million by roughly 152,000. The reason I ask is when I look at the list of projects
- that we did, and this has been a long process, that as I look at the list, it brings back a lot of memories
- from some difficult times and other difficult times and a whole story there. But one thing that we have
- talked about here is the potential to up
- dollars that we would use for our not-for-profit community through Sophia Travis dollars. We looked
- at an option to raise that considerably because we expect demand is high and other things like that.
- I see lines here where we responded to Hoosier Hill Food Bank and Pantry 279 that serve the greater
- portion of this community with a lot of food.
- And so my thought is if we start getting into, and I'm not ready to offer anything yet, but if we start
- getting into the how do you make this work, those entities could probably take you tonight and buy food.
- And if those lines, it looks like Hoosier Hills did match when I was kind of glancing. I'm not sure
- about pantry 279, but if that starts matching, you could juggle that around there. And if we are in
- a need to,
- do more for our local not-for-profit community, that could be a quick way to do that. Hoosier Hills
- Line was 37487. Community Kitchen, we actually got the Express Kitchen, so that should be a done deal.
- But for buying food, if I'm reading this right, we could buy food and if we need food, food we have.
- And maybe I'll respond a little bit to that. I think one of the things we would work with our vendor
- Baker Tilly with who has been helping us make sure we stay within our rules and guidelines, we would
- ask to ask them that question. My understanding is that the projects have to be opened or the money
- would have still had to have been obligated by the end of 2024.
- So if we have these open projects, as long as we don't materially change them, I think we could we could
- add a little bit to them. But again, we that's why we have Baker Tilly. So with that question, we would
- run it by Baker Tilly to see if that is an acceptable route. So I don't want to it's not quite the hey,
- look at anything on this list. And we could certainly fund that. But we can ask those questions and
- get those answers. You have to be nimble.
- all that will have to be figured out pretty quickly. Okay. Did anybody else have any? I guess the one
- question that I have is since the last claim date that I see for rural transit since that's definitely
- something that we have to think about on the horizon was what looks like three March of this year. If there is
- So by the logic that we're saying right now, because let me see. Sorry. Is that considered closed? So
- there were actually two awards to rural transit. The first one has been closed. The second one has not
- been closed. And I believe that is line 44 towards the bottom. OK.
- The item that's closed is the buses. We actually purchased buses. That's done. The item that's open
- is this year's service to the, quote unquote, urbanized area. Okay. And that's the one that we've kind
- of had open communication with our good friends down the street in Ellisville. Okay. So, I mean, I would
- think that if there is funding, if we're, you know, trying to come up with a contingency plan for
- you know, extra dollars, I would love to see how we could use some of those extra dollars for this particular
- project as well, if possible. While I'm sure it might not be enough, and we still will have to have
- conversations, every little dollar helps. So that's definitely something I would think of in the back
- burner too, while hopefully continuing to have conversations with the town of Ellisville too. All right.
- Yes, Councilor Everson. I wanted to take this in a different direction. Could you scroll up to line
- 20? Today, Commissioner Thomas and three of us from the County Council were able to see these dollars
- in work. This is $500,000. And Commissioner Thomas was able to break ground on Beacon Inc.'s new center.
- And that money was used to help do that.
- I think if we're gonna look forward to a plan on how to use these funds, I would also like to think
- about ways to celebrate some of the things that happened in this community that would not have happened
- had it not been for these dollars. This new center is cool. It's gonna do a lot of really good work
- for a lot of people. Agreed. All right. Yes, Councillor Hock. I just need a little clarification.
- only the ones that are in green that has an opportunity to move some dollars around into those. Do I
- understand that correctly? It's only these that have an opportunity to be able to use the money for
- something else because they're still open. Based on our conversations with Baker Tilley that is accurate.
- The federal government does not like us moving these obligations around and it raises
- far less red flags to move the obligations within open projects. And just keep in mind, we
- can't substantially change the scope of the projects. OK. Does anybody last call for any other questions
- looking around? OK.
- And since this was a discussion, there is no motion or anything that needs to be made. So now, of course,
- we just wait for you all to come back in December, which isn't that far around the corner, ugly enough.
- So we will look forward to having that conversation again. So thank you all very much. All right, have
- a good night.
- All right. Next up is number seven, which is our consent agenda items. Council, I move to approve the
- following consent agenda item for September 23rd. A, the prosecutor's request and fund 1000-0009 general
- fund prosecutor for a category transfer in the amount of $15,000 from the personnel category to the
- services category. And B, which we tabled. Just A. Second.
- All right, we got a motion and a second. Are there any further discussion from council related to the
- consent agenda items? All right, seeing none. All those in favor of approving our consent agenda items
- tonight signify by saying aye. All those opposed, same sign. All right, motion carries. Next up, we
- are at item number A.
- for ongoing business. 8A. Yeah. Council, as a reminder, this is the second reading of this request due
- to the lack of a unanimous vote to the August 12th, 2025 meeting. I move to approve the Health Department's
- request to amend the 2025 salary ordinance and fund 1161-0000 Local Public Health Services to remove
- the positions outlined on the agenda.
- We got a motion and a second, and I don't see anybody from the health department that is here to discuss
- this. So I'll look to the liaisons to see if they feel comfortable. Yeah. So council, this is essentially
- a housekeeping item.
- As you recall, we moved positions from Health First Indiana to the Health Fund and in the 2025 budget.
- And we needed to make this change because we moved those positions. This is completely separate from
- the 2026 budget, where we've already made the decision to move them back. This is only for the 2025
- budget. Okay. Yes, Council Huff.
- And I don't think that they all landed in 1159. Some did, some did not, if I recall right. But it would
- make sense to me to leave these open and to finish out the year in the 1161, thereby saving the money in the
- now the 10th at you know, number so that they would have additional cash in that because that's where
- we are trying to save the money to make sure that we've got enough because that's in that frozen levy
- portion. So it makes sense to just finish out the year since we've already moved them over there for
- next year to just go ahead and finish out the year. It would save quite a bit of money.
- to land there in the 1059. Okay, so if I understand what you're saying, Councillor Hogg, is finish up
- the year in 2025 where they are, since we've already made the changes for 2026. Is that what you're
- saying? I'm saying they should be moved back over. In other words, right now, we've got some vacant
- spots because we moved them over into the
- the property tax fund. Because we moved him over from the 1161 over to there. So now these positions
- are setting vacant and in the 1161 budget, and just growing the 1161 balance. And it seems to me, you've
- moved the employees back over there and finish out the year and the 1161 and let the property tax balance
- grow, which would help
- frozen levy portion and it's not going to hurt them at all just moving around and i don't think that
- they all moved to the 1059 i think only maybe two or i just want to remind council the appropriations
- for this has already been de-appropriated
- and appropriations have already been appropriated in 1159. So if you choose to have these remain so
- that she can use them, she'll have to come back and appropriate. But these were the last positions to
- be moved with regards to those core services that were being questioned. There are, I believe, three
- positions that are still
- in 1161, but I'm looking that up right now. Okay. Yeah, and while you're looking that up, I'll go to
- Councilor Henry. Thank you, Madam President. There's even further complication here because as of July
- 1, HFI was no longer, or the public health coordinator and public health preparedness director were
- no longer able to be funded in HFI. If you recall, it was tobacco cessation and the public
- health preparedness programs that would have been
- discontinued had we not moved into county dollars, right? So there's a distinction here about at least
- two of these. And without the health office here, I don't know if a 10113 is one of those as well, but
- I definitely know just being me that the public health coordinator and the preparedness ones were part
- of that, that after July 1st were ineligible to be funded by HFI. That's why it moved them. And so we
- brought them into county dollars for the purpose of preparing the county for,
- you know, pandemic and other disasters, right? So the other piece of this that has my attention tonight
- in context of the budget is that we are buying time with the auditor's office, county legal, and the
- health department to figure out how we're going to manage to take care of people in our community who
- may not be able to provide proof of citizenship that may have tuberculosis or other things our county
- health department needs to treat.
- As of right now, with how we moved things, those services continue, but the clock is ticking for January
- of 25 when we did the movement in the budget as proposed. So I guess that's also on my mind too, that
- moving these positions assures we're providing those services universally in the county. And then there
- are some items that we can't really move anywhere because the consequence would be basically terminating
- those account lines and persons in them
- there's nowhere to fund them right now to move them back to HFI. But those are some thoughts I have
- on that. Thank you. Thank you. I'm a musical chairs of this department. And Michelle, I'm gonna look
- to you to see if you got that information. Okay. Four positions that are still in 1161. Everything else
- has been moved.
- appropriation wise as well to $11.59. This just cleans up the salary ordinance to match what you've
- done with regards to appropriations. Got it. So whatever you decide. Okay. All right. I'm gonna look
- over here to my left to see if anybody has any questions on this. No? Okay. I'm gonna
- and see if you all want to pick up your mic and speak to the mic. Sorry, Madam President, I was contemplating
- a motion, but I'm not saying a motion right now. Okay. Well, seeing no further discussion on this item.
- If there are any public commenters that would like to take public comment on this item, you can come
- forward to the lectern here in the Nattie Hill room, or you can raise your hand via Teams. And seeing
- none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Will, or, by pardon, Councilor
- Henry? Yes. Councilor Hawk? No. Councilor Crosley?
- Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Vote passes 5-1. Thank you very much on that item.
- Next up, we are going to go to new business, which we'll start off with the Sheriff's Office. Item number
- nine. Council, I will be combining items A and B into one motion.
- I move to approve the sheriff's request and fund 8103-0000 Operation Pullover for an additional appropriation
- of $14,908.79 in the personnel category and to simultaneously and fund 1000-0005 County General Sheriff,
- deappropriate $14,908.79 in the personnel category. Second.
- We got a motion in a second. We have- Wait, wait. Did I hear 14 million? I'm sorry. Excuse me.
- Let me check. 14,000. Yes. I'm glad the gallery thinks that's funny. All right. $14,908.79. Okay. Now
- we balance. Okay. And we're still good. And scene. All right. And now we have Ms. Jamie Yonkey here.
- Welcome. Hi. Thank you.
- So this is just housekeeping. It's just the first and the second quarter of the chirp grant, just moving
- the funds back where they need to be. All right. Doing a little housekeeping here. Seems to be the theme
- right now. All right. And so if anybody over here to my left have any questions, stand on. Anybody over
- here to my right have any questions? Go on.
- All right, seeing none, if there are public comment on this particular item, you can come forward to
- the lectern here in the net you room, or you can raise your hand via teams. And seeing none, may we
- please have a roll call vote. Councillor Henry. Yes. Councillor Hawk. Yes. Councillor Crossley. Yes.
- Councillor Iverson. Yes. Councillor Deckard. Yes. Councillor Fido. Yes.
- Motion passes 6-0. All right, next up is item C. Council, I will be combining items C and D into one
- motion. I move to approve the sheriff's request and fund 8143-0000 JAG Sheriff.
- to create account line two one one two four safety supplies slash equipment and appropriate three thousand
- eight hundred four dollars in the supplies category and to simultaneously and fund one thousand dash
- zero zero zero five county general sheriff deappropriate three thousand eight hundred and four dollars
- in the supplies category second all right what would you like to add to this i think it's just housekeeping
- just to keep the grant funds where they need to be okay
- All right, look into my right here to see if you have any questions. Council have any questions on this
- item? No. And look to my left. Yes, Councilor Decker. I just want to quickly say I appreciate the efficiency
- of these motions. I think this is awesome. Thank you. Efficiency at its best. All right.
- Seeing no other further question or discussion from council, we'll move to public comment. If you have
- public comment, you can raise your hand via Teams, or you could come forward to the lectern here in
- the Knight-U-Hill room. And seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councilor Hock? Yes. Councilor
- Crossley? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Henry?
- Yes. Motion passes 6-0.
- Thank you. Thank you. Have a good night. All right. Next up is item E from the Youth Services Bureau.
- Council, I move to approve the Youth Service Bureau's request and fund 4111-0000 donation BTCC for an
- additional appropriation of $1,850 in the services category. Second. All right. We got a motion and
- a second. It looks like we have Ms. Vanessa Schmidt that is via Teams.
- and you can go ahead and present. Welcome. So yeah, just a little bit of housekeeping for us as well.
- I am just requesting the approval of an additional appropriation. Both are donations. One is a $500
- sponsorship from the city of Bloomington that will again support our 10th annual Monroe County Youth Summit.
- And then we have another, this is actually not a donation, but this is from trainings that our Bloomington,
- the building thriving and compassionate community BTCC subcommittee has provided. And that's in the
- amount of $1,350. Thank you. And glad to hear about those donations for the youth summit.
- I'm excited to hear about that. All right. Thank you. Looking to my right over here and seeing if anybody
- has any questions. Yes, Councillor Henry. Thank you. Just a comment related to just the great receipts
- that we have here. It's refreshing to still see words like equity and inclusion on government documents.
- And so I'm a fan of the BTCC program and what they've done in the community. I'm just glad to see that
- is in fact, as they say, thriving in its title.
- That was nice to see. I'd like to see it too. All right. Anybody else have any questions on the side
- related to this item or comments? Seeing none, looking to my left. All right. Seeing none. All right.
- So we'll move to public comment. If you have public comment on this item, you can come forward to the
- lectern here in the Nightingale room or you can raise your hand via Teams. And seeing none, maybe please
- have a roll call.
- Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Deckard? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Wilt? Yes. Councillor
- Henry? Yes. Councillor Hawke? Yes. I'm saying yes. Oh, thank you. Councillor Crosley? Yes. Motion passes
- 6-0. All right. Thank you for that. Next up, we're still sticking with Youth Services Bureau for item
- number or item F.
- Council, I move to approve the Youth Service Bureau's request and fund 8120-9626, Runaway Homeless Youth Grant.
- for the creation of new account lines outlined on the agenda and to simultaneously approve additional
- appropriations of $159,748 in the personnel category, $6,750 in the supplies category, and $15,594 in
- the services category for a total appropriation of $182,092. Second. All right, and what would you like
- to add to this item?
- Again, this is our runaway and homeless youth grant. It is a three year grant that we are awarded, but
- we apply for a continuation every year. And so this is our second year of the fiscal funding in that
- three year grant period. And we're just requesting appropriation of that $182,092. Well, congratulations
- on obtaining that grant. Thank you. Yes, you're very welcome. I will look to my right because I already
- saw a hand counselor Hawk.
- Yes, as many times if I've been speaking with you lately, I don't why I didn't ask you this question.
- But what I see, they have some salaries in here. And since this is covered with a grant, do those salaries
- stay as the grant as it's entered here? Whether or not there's a raise? The other thing I wanted to
- check on, and I see,
- that you have covered the self-insurance out of this grant. That is really a very good thing because
- when we accept a grant and it actually ends up costing a lot of money out of that insurance fund, it's
- good for the grant to be written such that it can include that self-insurance in the grant.
- Yeah, so when we apply initially at the three-year mark, we don't always know what those COLA raises
- are going to look like. Sorry, I feel like there's a lot of feedback. Sorry. I don't always know what
- those COLA raises are going to look like. And so we make adjustments each year through our continuation
- apps. So if there is a COLA increase that we weren't anticipating, then we will make adjustments in
- our supplies category, outreach category, to make up for that amount. Thank you.
- All right. I'm going to look to my left here to see if anybody else has any questions. All right. Last
- call over here. All right. Seeing none. If there is any public comment on this item, you can come forward
- to the lectern here in the night. You know, room where you can raise your hand via teams. And seeing
- none, may we please have a roll call vote. Councillor Decker. Yes. Councillor Fiddle. Yes. Councillor
- Henry. Yes. Councillor Hawke.
- Yes. Councillor Crossley. Yes. Councillor Iverson. Yes. Motion passes six zero. Thank you very much.
- Have a good night. Thank you. Thanks. All right. Next up, since we, as a reminder, we disabled the item
- G, we are moving to item H, which is the board of commissioners for the 2025 general obligation bond.
- Get ready. This is a long one.
- Council, I move to open for discussion and establish this as the first reading of ordinance 2025-30,
- an ordinance authorizing the issuance of general obligation bonds in ordinance 2025-31, an appropriation
- ordinance for the general obligation bond of $6.1 million for projects which include but are not limited
- to, one, design plans for improvements at the Monroe County Airport, two,
- Remodeling of the showers building, primarily for renovations for voter and election services. Three,
- vehicles. Four, improvements at the Youth Services Bureau, Monroe County Nature Preserve, courthouse,
- courthouse grounds, emergency management building. Number five, body cameras. Number six, non-lethal
- force equipment for the sheriff's department. Number seven, airport furniture, tools and equipment.
- Item number eight, which is the last one, emergency management sirens and equipment and all related
- improvements and the incidental expenses in connection with these projects. All right, we got a motion
- and a second and back again is Mr. Draft Cockroach, Ms. Angie Purdy and Commissioner Julie Thomas. Welcome.
- And I think I'll start off because this this document I've prepared and I've
- reviewed and brought a document similar to this every year for the last 15 years. And this is probably
- the first time it's had really a substantial difference to what we had done in the previous year. And
- there really are two differences in this ordinance. And they both are kind of a result of Senate Bill
- 1. The first is our typical term has historically been a one-year bond.
- With the recent legislation, there is a cooling off period where in order to be able to issue this bond,
- we have to make this bond longer than five years. So I believe what you have in front of you is a six-year
- bond. And so that's one of the major differences. The other is the amount on it is $6 million.
- Typically, we do $3.1 million, $3 million for the project costs, and then $100,000. And that was done
- solely so you guys would have the discretion whether you wanted to stick with the kind of standard,
- the old amount of 3.1 or whether you wanted to expand it to 6 million due to what you see as needs,
- fiscal needs for the county.
- And so those are kind of the two major changes from what this group has looked at in the past. So if
- you have any questions about those changes, I'm more than happy to answer them. Otherwise, I'll turn
- it over to the people who actually know the projects and they can explain to you what they wish to do.
- I already saw a hand, Councilor Hawk. Yes. Since there's a one year cooling off time, if we don't use
- six year plan, but we could use
- that our regular plan if at the beginning of next year and not do one this year. Could we not? I think
- that's something we talked with. I think what the code says is that in the
- Basically, the final year you pay it off, which we would have paid off last year's bond this year, then
- you have a one year cooling off after that payment occurs. So I think we would have to wait till 2027
- to issue the bond. Thank you. That made it more clear to me.
- Yes, Councilor Henry. Thank you, and thank you, Jeff, and everyone for putting this together. I do have
- a few questions. So it's page 71 in the packet, but it's the exhibit A-1, which is description of projects
- and the actual language of the bond itself, not the spreadsheet. And that's, I think, what Councilor
- Iverson basically read in this evening as well in terms of the types of projects.
- There's a line in here that says projects include but are not limited to. Is that a standard phrase
- that you've used in the previous 15 years of bonds? Absolutely. Okay. So that's what gives us the wiggle
- room for potentially re-obligating a project one way or another. Is that right? I think at the end,
- as well as all related improvements and incidental expenses, a connection with these projects is also
- another area where you get a little bit of wiggle.
- Okay, so I guess my question is then about, you know, there's an additional sheet that was provided
- to council about some of the other projects that are listed here. For example, TSD 500,000 for laptops,
- stormwater 450,000 for street sweeper. These were items that, of course, we removed from the 26 budget
- that are now in the bond. And I'll only speak for myself here and not other council members.
- My intention was that we actually go back to the 11 years of previous bonds, the 5.9 million that is
- already sitting there, and look to those line items to include but are not limited to repurposing those
- to find some resources. What this seems to have done is to take the items we've removed from the budget
- and added it onto the large bond, but correct my, disabuse me of my thought process here. I want to
- make sure I understand what we're adding on here.
- I guess I, so. Some are from the budget. That would be the stormwater $450,000. That is also the 102,000
- for airport, for furniture, tools and equipment and things of that nature. The YSB is from the budget
- at 55,000.
- Those were the only things that we actually took from the proposed 2026 budget and put into this proposed
- 2025 grant. The TSD sheriff, those are body cameras and tasers. That's actually a five-year program
- at $440,000 a year. And the laptops are for the squad vehicles, and that's at $500,000. I see that.
- I guess I'll just restate.
- the way I put it. And again, I'll leave it to other counselors to maybe explain what they thought we
- were doing when we were cutting items out of the budget in terms of seeking previous bonds and use that
- we have that has been languishing, frankly. And I know that you've said it's accounted for, there are
- projects that are in mind, but we don't have the granularity beyond that initial sheet. And so I guess
- when I had proposed this, my goal was to use what we had and not add onto the pile. I see you,
- you know, gesticulating maybe a disagreement with that idea. I mean, that's what I'm after here. The
- second thing I guess I would ask is, in the laundry list of projects, do you have a final number on
- the cost of the mold in the justice building for the work that was done? I don't have that off the top
- of my head. I think the most recent, I don't know, do you guys remember, did you see it come in?
- It's like 24. I think 24,000 comes off to the top of my head. So I'm not sure where that's coming from
- Okay, and how was that paid for? special projects we paid for it out of special projects in cumulative
- capital development Is there a reason why justice building isn't listed as a possibility for projects
- in this particular bond over five years? It wasn't
- What we did is we put together all of the projects that had been presented to us and things that we
- knew that needed to be done. I did recognize that the justice building is not on here. And it generally
- is a huge cost to Monroe County government. The mold.
- remediation has been remediated and we have it'll be coming to the commissioners in a couple of in a
- week. I think it is a proposed long-term plan to how to address the issues within that particular building.
- Going back to the issue about the prior bonds those I don't know how else to say it those projects are
- already in play and
- If there was some money left in a bond from prior years that was for vehicles, we've already pooled
- that and are using that for the vehicles now. Like I was here at your last meeting, I believe, requesting
- additional funds for sheriff vehicles at Accumulative Capital. I was able to reduce that request because
- of unused prior lines,
- that were specific for sheriff vehicles that we were able to take and just go ahead and apply that to
- the cost of vehicles coming out at this time. So we don't have money in old bonds that can be used for
- any of these particular new projects. Whenever we have a capital project come up and we don't have the
- funding, we go to the bonds first to make sure if there's been a project that has been expended and
- there's some money left if we can use it.
- but the money goes to the projects in that bond first. So like when Parks has a project, if there's
- money, if they need more money for their project, we will transfer from another line. I understand the
- interpretation. I'm reading it differently because it's not that granular in the exhibit. And it seems
- that when we have found resource, and that's a word we've used in this room,
- it strikes me as interesting because there would be more detail or granularity in that project. It shouldn't
- be found, I guess is my point. And I'm gonna keep coming back to this because there seems to be some,
- maybe, it's hard to talk in this room sometimes. There may be some talking past each other about what
- that money really is and how it gets obligated and de-obligated as projects devolve or evolve over time.
- That's all I have on it. Thank you. Okay, thank you. Councilor Everson. I have, I'm sorry, did you use?
- I was just wondering if I could respond briefly. I know that this party has provided a regularly updated
- spreadsheet to council, which lists out the quote unquote leftover money. And it's not, you know, I
- don't want the public to think we're sitting on millions of dollars in this big slush fund that we're
- going to spend on gold taps or something. This is, this is, it's a regular,
- effort. And I mean, regular effort that is put into a project need comes up. That's the first place
- she looks is previous bonds, special projects, our current budget, what can we do? Then if it's something
- that really has to happen, we go geo bond. And the whole reason geo bonds are so important to this county
- is because years ago,
- back when I was on council even before I was on council. The decision was made and obviously forced
- to be made on the council. The fact that cable franchise fees were going down and we no longer have
- money for technical services, so therefore we're going to use cumulative capital development fund. So
- that decision was made years ago. Now, cable franchise fee would never have supported this
- that we need every year for our technical services department. It certainly couldn't pay for the vastly
- increased. Budget that we need every year for software- and so. What should be the capital fund. Is
- pretty minimal. For the commissioners to utilize for
- the list that looks very general to you for geo bonds it always bothered me too always when I first
- started this job but it is general for a reason and it's and it's always that been that way it's not
- something that we invented but at the same time if if changes are made here the commissioners will go
- back and amend our resolution to match what
- You all want in there, OK? And I would just point out that the exhibit that we're talking about does
- not have laptops in it or computer equipment and a couple in the. We have to go back anyway, this the
- street sweeper. So if those were things we wanted to fund with this bond, I know that there is some
- wiggle room, but it's it is wiggle room. It's not a it's not a hole that we I would I would I would
- ask that we would amend that
- description of projects to include those things. And then we would go back to the commissioners and
- amend this project description of projects to include those things so that it's there. I mean, part
- of what this description of projects to me is telling the public, here is what our intent to use the
- money for and what we're taxing for. So we want it to be as complete and accurate as possible.
- I'm going to acknowledge that I see Councilor Hogg's hand, but I know Councilor Iverson had his hand
- up first before Commissioner Thomas made a comment. So I'm going to go to Councilor Iverson and then
- I'll come back to you, Councilor Hogg. I've got three questions on three separate lines. I'm taking
- this in a new direction. Could we look at line number 12? On the sheet that I have in front of me, there's
- an acronym and I don't know what that acronym is. Historic Courthouse.
- The second question is the airport projects. Are any of these FAA? I mean, I know that we are waiting
- on some FAA dollars to come in. Do we know? I don't know if Carlos is online, but I know that we needed
- to put in some funds, but I thought that there was.
- And I earlier this year, we brought a resolution actually to the county council that we were that we're
- going to expend money for. And I know this 184, 439 line five tower project. So so we went ahead and
- did that. And there was a resolution that said, hey, if we get a general obligation bond, we'll reimburse
- the airport, whatever funding source they used to pay for that.
- And that was to get a leg up, because I believe this is like the final year for a certain grant that
- pays for these kind of things. And I spoke with Carlos last week. We don't know if we've gotten it yet,
- but he's fairly optimistic that we're in good shape with that. So I know for a fact that that one is
- tied directly to
- what I always consider pulling a highway and getting all the preliminary design work done before you
- apply for a grant because it really increases your chances of getting that grant. So I know that is
- what that for. I would assume that probably the furniture tools and equipment are probably not part
- of a FAA grant, but the ARF equipment and ATCT equipment probably are or could be, and those are the
- kind of things we see more federal grants for than the other.
- All right, and my third and final question is about the nature preserve I am outright giddy about this,
- I am really excited and I just want to be clear that we are talking about the mineral county nature
- preserve here right. This is so exciting, this is on the east side I run past here all the time.
- And so I think the last time that Kelly was in front of us, we talked a lot about the invasives, and
- we were going to have to plant a whole bunch of trees to make sure that those invasives. Is that what
- this money is for? Or is this money for trails? I mean, I understand the dog park is different. I'm
- talking about the other line. She's going to talk about that. Thank you, Commissioner. I do not have
- a spreadsheet from me, so it's what I remember. I'm sure it's going to be sufficient.
- The 775 includes a brand new entrance because we do not have one. It includes all of the dirt work,
- the stormwater, the planning and building requirements. Our park staff will be the general contractor.
- So we will not be hiring all of that work out. We'll have to have ADA parking for planning.
- We have ADA trail. We have trees.
- wildflowers. And yes, this includes some trees in there also. So it looks like a large number, but we
- can't open unless we do all the things that stormwater planning and building require of us. And it also
- includes the equipment for our park staff to do this. If we don't have the equipment, our park staff
- cannot build this. Does that answer? It does. And can I ask a follow up question?
- Yes. Because we had to change the term of this bond to six years, is that going to change the timelines
- for getting all these things set up at all? No, our goal is if we can get our engineer on board, our
- park staff will start, if we have money, start constructing next year, which is 2026, and we can be
- open by 2027. That's a tight
- tight building, but our park staff is up for it only if they have the equipment. If they don't have
- the equipment, I always say our park superintendent with one shovel isn't going to do it. No. And I
- just clarify that the six years is the repayment schedule. We would get the proceeds up front. Another
- question? No, I think I've talked enough. I'll look to Councilor Honk and go ahead.
- Okay, I have more than one thing to discuss. First of all, I just have to I'm trying not to chuckle.
- But those of us who remember when someone an employee who came at who decided that we did not need that
- sprinkler was a waste of water.
- and he tore our sprinklers out of the ground. You do not remember? And then to water all those plants,
- he was carrying buckets of water out there, like I was gonna say, and he tore them out of the ground.
- I think he was, well, I know who it was, but I guess I won't say who.
- It wasn't anybody sitting here right now. There's something in the ground now. We do have a system.
- But the system is so hinky that we get calls on a weekend because somebody is trying to walk down the
- sidewalk and the water is just pouring out of our sprinkler system. So we need to update it. And I'm
- just saying, I remember he was so happy he had it. He took his picture. He tore it up. So I hope if
- we do put it in there, we won't rip it out.
- the next two because we're trying to save water. Then a question about the courthouse steps. I'm thinking,
- what about that 147,000 approximately that we are asking for from the community foundation? So that's
- part of my question there because we were going to talk about that tonight. I guess we're going to talk
- about it next week.
- and it's it's for work for historic buildings so that there is there is a fund for historic building
- preservation the the steps are the limestone steps and they're in disrepair we want to make sure that
- there we we have obviously in mind that we we do know that canopy alights is every november
- but we all but we do know that the sesquicentennial is next july and so we want to make sure that the
- steps are in decent shape by then but um do you want to talk about that something sure um so the the
- to complete the steps um it's going to be a little over two hundred thousand dollars uh that's for
- Basically, we're going to make some nice new caps for the treads and then follow it up with ADA compliant
- handrails. And then there's going to be approximately $50,000 to repair the sidewalks where they're
- cracked and busted in different locations and $5,000 to replace the dove on the monument.
- I'm not objecting to steps being repaired. I've fallen up those steps before around the courthouse.
- I just wanted to say there's an opportunity maybe to use that other 147 and not use all of that.
- Then I moving on to another question and having to do with the money for the nature preserve. So my
- question is what that's not our only park, of course. What about that query part that we put so much
- money, you know, got the query part and that's so, you know, and we're we're
- I'm wondering if we could assist in any way covering some of that, or we've wonder if could we cover
- some of that with the food and beverage tax revenue? So I'm wondering if we could assist in any way.
- I'm just throwing out some ideas. Some suggestions are you looking at me? And that the quarry the quarry
- Park project is not a Parks
- dollars for development, we got stalled because we didn't know about the location of the new justice
- center because that's on the south side of that new park land. And now we know with our budget constraints
- that the roadway we thought was going to be there to feed people to that park will not be there. So
- we're going to have to
- re-imagine all of that in terms of using Arlington. That is a food and beverage based project and no
- money has been spent yet, but we are actively working in committee and we have, once we have our first
- frost, I'm not
- we're not going to be able to do that. We're certainly not suggesting we speed the clock up in the world
- anymore than we already have it. But but once there's our first frost, we're going to go back out with.
- Um an expert in limestone equipment, and we're going to take a look at what's there and, um. Continue
- in our committee meetings to move to the next step.
- I'm trying to get through this question. The other thing I heard comments made about how the Q cap doesn't
- cover very much. There's very little left. And as a reminder, the commissioners used about a half million
- dollars. I believe that's the number every year that's going out there.
- for the parking garage. And now however many years ago that was, but we know that parking garages are
- supposed to have a lifetime expectancy of 30 years. So perhaps it's not gonna be paid off until 30 years
- is up. That's kind of thing goes on. But we need to remind ourselves that that's why they don't have
- much left in that QM cap to spend every year
- because they opted to use it for a parking garage. So, I mean, I just, that's some history I think we
- need to remember. That's an interesting point. I appreciate that comment. I kind of, as we are on the
- cum cap, I kind of want to bring it back because as we're talking about this, it kind of, conversation
- from Councilor Henry kind of conjured up something else. So,
- As we look at QCAP, and Ms. Purdy was talking about, we look at trying to transfer a line of items for
- certain things related to the Justice Center, and then anything from there, then we kind of look at
- QCAP to see how we can go from there. And then potentially, I guess last resort would be the bonds.
- My question is, because in listening to the conversations related to
- the justice center and listening to employees and whatnot talk about the building and some of the some
- of the items that were discussed in terms of remediation which was Oh, why am I blinking? Ah, it was
- the HVAC system that was supposed to be brought up and then the obvious problem was the water issue
- that was a thing
- And obviously the water source, what was mentioned in that meeting was the water source was a thing
- that we needed to figure out where that was coming from to potentially remediate all of these issues.
- I guess my question is, is there any idea on the horizon to either use QCAP if there is something left
- in QCAP or could we possibly look at
- working out the HVAC system where we can put that in the geo bond. Since those were conversations that
- were brought up during those meetings. I'm not sure I'm going to answer your question, but I can talk
- about the condensation. Right now, that building
- is what they refer to as out of balance. And it means your supplier and your return air aren't even.
- And because of that happens, it pulls more air from the outside of the building to try to even itself
- out. This summer, you're out of balance. You're pulling in air that's already 80% humidity, and you're
- unable to reduce that.
- Therefore, anything that's not insulated condensates and drips. And as far as funding, I can let somebody
- else talk about that. Well, there is the sleep system that was used, right? That's already been installed.
- Yeah. Yeah, and I believe the controls have been, there was an issue with the controls with it. Yeah,
- we just took last commissioner's meeting
- Some projects to to improve the controls further We've we've done a lot of insulating lately So it's
- it's in progress Okay CCD Okay, I guess what I maybe I didn't hear maybe I'm I
- not too savvy on that, is the conversation related to the HVAC system, because that was something that
- people were discussing in terms of, hey, can we have this looked at? And I walked away from that conversation
- at least thinking that that was something that was going to be looked at, at least that was mentioned.
- So are we saying that QCAP is going to cover that? I'm not sure what the question, I mean, so I did
- hear people
- I think, okay, so I believe the question is that there is a perception that we were going to have the
- HVAC system tested.
- Well, it wasn't so much that it was tested. I thought I remember, and I'm forgetting his name right
- now, but I swear I remember and listening to the conversation that people were saying that there was
- an HVAC problem and they wanted to look at the the ducts and whatnot. And that was at least
- to my understanding. Now, that was also at the time I just came back from surgery and I could have been
- delusional, but I don't think I am.
- I was thinking that we were going to have that be looked or that the HVAC system was something that
- was going to be looked at since the people were complaining about the ducks and all of the items blowing
- through the air. I guess that's what I'm getting at. Okay. I think I'm on the same page. The issue was
- people are concerned about the duct work. The issue though is
- we have the airspace tested. And if it tests within acceptable levels and there's no guidance on mold,
- then we're at acceptable levels. So we're not going to keep diving down to find more problems if we
- don't have a problem. So if we're at an acceptable level, good. If we're at a...
- can't remember what it's called, slightly elevated maybe level, then we need to find the source of the
- problem. So then we need to look into is there, and that's what they did. So that goes in and they try
- to find where the problem is. They try to find where it's wet, things of that nature, remediate that
- situation, resolve that situation. We got rid of the condensation that solved.
- that particular problem. And then plus they use the kill spray on the mold. So I do believe that there
- were some people who don't catch the fact that what we are looking at is the air that we breathe in
- the room. And it doesn't necessarily matter what's in that duct.
- if what you're smelling, what you're breathing in here is of acceptable levels. Does that make sense?
- It does. I guess not. I'm seeing it a little differently. And I don't want to continue to keep going
- back and forth here. And I'm not trying to be rude at all or anything. But I remember that it was almost
- a surprise to Sarah from VET
- that we hadn't looked at the HVAC system because there were literally comments that were made where
- people were saying that there is, you know, they were surprised that Mr. Garner hadn't looked at that
- yet. And so I was just, I guess the reason why I keep coming back to this conversation is because if
- we use QCAP for that and we are all done with that, then,
- the airspace above the tiles, but outside the duck work. And that came up as well. So I think that may
- be what you're what you're remembering. Um and we also had a discussion. I know that there was an initial
- discussion and I had to leave, but there was an
- between David Gardner and Sarah Hamidovich at VET about the systems that we already have in place from
- COVID using UV light, which actually helps reduce mold.
- and that those things were still there. And so they were having that discussion as well. And that was
- after the meeting was over. So I think I know what you're referring to, but here's the thing. So we're
- going to have a long-term plan that's going to require some investment for all of our buildings for
- testing on a regular basis and remediation as needed. We don't have that proposal yet, but Sarah Midovich
- is working on it. And that is something that we would pay for out of cube.
- Probably. Or out of professional services. So it just depends. But going back to the HVAC, I can't speak
- to that. I'm looking at Richard because I don't know that there's a problem other than the fact that
- it's out of balance. Right. That's it. That's the problem. I think what I'm hearing is,
- Is there concern that there's mold in the HVAC system? Or are we talking about how the HVAC system functions?
- No, I know there is not that. And I have a little bit of background with property management and knowing
- the idea of when there is mold in the system and you haven't looked at the ducts,
- And you can clean and you can spray and you can fumigate all you want. But if you don't take care of
- the HVAC system where all of that stuff is continuously to blow around and it's in there, you can clean
- it all you want. But if you don't look at that particular system there, it's going to keep blowing around
- and around. And that was the conversation that I recall hearing where there were literal audible gasps
- where it was like, oh my god, I don't
- I can't believe that we never thought of something like this before. So I guess, you know, we don't,
- this is just a discussion of conversation of what we can use for geo bonds and whatnot. And I know this
- is coming back up here in October, but I guess I just wanted, since we were on that mention and since
- we're talking about funding and all those different things, that's kind of what I was talking about,
- if that makes sense. All right. So why is there no money in this geo bond to invest in that?
- justice building HVAC system. Is that the issue? Cleaning the ducks? Well, I guess the truth of the
- matter is the only thing I'm worried about right now is since we keep talking about CUMECAP and versus
- GeoGond and whatnot, is that something that we can take care of with CUMECAP or
- if we don't have it from professional services or other different line items, is that something that
- we can put in the DO bond is what I'm asking? The short answer is yes. The long answer is why would
- we invest funds to clean out the duct work if the air that you're breathing has acceptable levels?
- My question, why would we do that if we're at acceptable levels? I'm wondering if the best way to manage
- this at this moment, I think we can cover costs with CCD that we're experiencing now and that we think
- are coming. I think the best way, because we don't have that proposal yet from Sarah Hamidovich, I think
- what we could do
- is bring that information to you all once we have it. We have it. She sent it to me on Monday. Oh, well,
- I haven't had. Yeah, of course. Yes, that's OK. Yeah. But once we have that, that we can bring that
- here and have a discussion and share the information with you so that you know what we're doing, what
- the plan is. I mean, there are some minor things that I know we need to repair.
- I know that things she had said verbally at our meeting, but we can present that information so that
- you have a sense of what we're doing. But I think replacing the HVAC would not
- be a viable expense to take on if we're building a new justice bill and I guess the only thing that
- I'll say to that before we go on because I know council members over here I have a hand up and again
- I don't want to belabor this conversation but again what I also remember hearing is we got to figure out
- a contingency plan to get people out of that building. And while they are there in that building, we
- have to make sure that with the continuation of remediation and testing and whatnot to ensure the health
- and safety of everybody in that building. So again, that's a conversation that I look forward to having.
- And again, more can come in October, but that's all I'll have to say about that. So I'll move on. Yes,
- Councilor Decker. Thank you. Thank you very much.
- I'm sorry. What was occasionally we all know that counselors get information whether in the meeting
- just as commissioners do, but someone had referenced to me plenum air versus ducted air and that difference.
- And I am not even close to qualified to spell half that alone talk about what that truly means. But
- what I would say is, and this might be a discussion that you all
- it out. But if if as I look at the bond description, at least in the narrative portion, we talk about
- courthouse courthouse ground. If the cum cap is makes you waiver in some way, having a background option
- there. Maybe the maybe what you want to do before we get to adoption. But that that's something that
- you'll have to have to figure out best based on the information. So actually,
- Richard and I had spoken a little bit during all of this and the 200,000 that we've kind of identified
- for the historic courthouse. If we use the community foundation funding in addition to this, that could
- be reduced to 150. We could then put 50,000 as an earmark for
- the justice building, if you like. And again, yeah, we could do that. And I'm sure I've got just a few
- more. I'm sure there's things to figure out on that. And the one thing I'll say is I think everyone
- is always very fond of and emotionally attached to the courthouse. I mean, my heavens, it's on every
- image of this community and logo. And I love the courthouse.
- That said, sometimes the courthouse where we sit gets a lot of attention and other buildings may not,
- right? Just for just visual, our eyeball attention. And so that helps you all to kind of figure that
- out. Maybe that is something to think about. One other thing, when I look at this list here, and it's
- a pretty solid list of things,
- I do want to make sure, does the word vehicles, again, I'm looking at narrative, maybe I should be looking
- at something else, but does vehicles, does that give you narrative, does that narrative give you enough
- wiggle room to do that street sweeper that we kind of looked at and shipped it out? So there are things
- that we need to amend on our exhibit.
- and if you all so they need to amend it too right now no okay well you have it in red on here to be
- amended has to amend the written component and that will include highway and the tsd sheriff um items
- the street sweeper should have been i think is already in there but i'm not sure he'll need to have
- a look at that and see um the
- What was the question? What was the issue? I just want to make sure, when I see the word vehicles, I
- want to make sure that gives you wiggle enough room that street sweeper wouldn't get lost or street
- sweepers covered. Because I know that we kind of shifted that out of there. It was with a wink and a
- hope that something like this is out there somewhere. So we're talking two things, because in my mind,
- yes, if you could put it under, it can be considered a vehicle. I don't care. However,
- When it comes to appropriating lines in the bond, it is much easier to have them specifically associated
- with a project. Because otherwise, I've got highway with vehicles that are trying to purchase. I've
- got airport with vehicles they're trying to purchase. And it just makes it much cleaner if we can address
- each need individually.
- And the auditor's been great at helping us come up with good plans. Go ahead. I'm sorry. I was just
- going to I would consider the street super a vehicle, but I did not have that in mind when I prepared
- that list. And so it's something like that comes up. I run that by bond council and I get their guidance
- on those kind of things. I guess what I what I'm intending to do is take the this discussion because
- it sounds to me like there is some additions that need to be
- be added to that list. I'm going to amend that list, again, run it by the bond council to make sure
- we're not doing anything crazy. And then when we publish the appropriation before your next meeting
- where it gets voted on, we'll make sure that that language is appropriate. The only other thing I'll
- say and then I'll be quiet is that
- So often in our roles, everyone says, you all just need to cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, never look back
- again. You all just sit up there and make things up. But when you look at this list, I don't know that
- I've yet to find something where I say, well, right there, that's them being malfeasant and a joke.
- I mean, I want to talk about some of these things for a second. Emergency management, sirens, and equipment.
- That one right there alone. Body cameras, which is now expected by everyone.
- right, left, indifferent, smart, dumb, you name it. Emergency management building, right, which we every
- year test how much those folks will go through, and then some. Youth Services Bureau, they were just
- in here. So voter election services, we're doing a massive transition there, and my gosh, don't get
- that wrong, because everybody's gonna wanna weigh in next year. So I just,
- The bond Avenue, which is a means to keep government doing the things it's got to do because again no
- one else is going to do animal control and other things so might as well be us. But the ability to do
- this is a is a powerhouse to get those things done and a few counselors have heard me say this over
- the years, but.
- You expect in our county roads and things to have a street sweeper, right? You expect paving, you expect
- services and living rural doesn't necessarily mean you just signed up to, I just shut, get out there
- with a broom and hit the gravel. It means you expect those amenities in a place like this. This is the
- only way we get it done. So I appreciate very much the list and the continuing work, particularly around
- what Councilor Crosley asked so well, and we'll figure it out.
- look over to my right here, Councilor Henry. Thank you. I know we're really into this, but there's some
- newness. I mean, it's a new structure, right? So actually, my two questions are on the legal piece,
- Jeff. So I wanted to maybe just get some stuff in the air. So the first question really is understanding
- the five-year and the cooling off and what we're doing here. So I'm going to just put this in layman's
- terms and maybe some ignorance of my own, right?
- With this bond presented for six years, or sorry, five years, six million, are we gonna see another
- five years, six million next year and the following year and the following year, right? This is it for
- five years in terms of bond, with the general obligation bond. Is that a way to think about it? Well,
- I guess, I think you said a few different things. Yeah, I did. And other counties have had this type
- of program where they do a six billion, six year bond each year of the six year cycle, right?
- And so that is an option. I think that you and the commissioners probably need to have a conversation
- about how that's gonna look moving forward, because historically we've had 3 million per year. So if
- you guys choose to do 6 million this year, does that mean we're going to do the 6 million each year
- for the next six years or does that mean
- We're gonna do six million every other year or however that's going to work out. That is kind
- of a conversation that the council and the commissioners.
- have to have that discussion. Ultimately, it's the council's decision whether the issue, the bond or
- not. Okay. So the second piece of that then is in the new structure, is there a current threshold for
- controlled projects in the county? Like if we had like, and how do we figure that out? Like,
- is there like, why 6 million? Why not 16 million of stuff today? Like, what is there a cap on this under
- new legislation or not? There are different levels, right? So and I
- I don't know the exact number, although I can say six millions below the level where there's a level
- where you have, you have to go, I think it's over 18 million or 19 million where it got the full, you're
- gonna go through a referendum and all that. And medium level where it's like, well,
- it may I think it's subject to a reference not a bond council I just know that once you get that and
- I think it's about seven million is where that cutoff is. It's it used to be it used to be three or
- actually used to be two million then it went to five million but it has a kind of growth factor associated
- with it so that numbers these numbers change every year so they go up a little bit but there's a kind
- of a threshold
- that starts, I think, around seven and ends around 19, where there's just a different structure and
- process. And I don't exactly know what that structure and process is. But I think, in my mind, I think
- it's kind of like the, if you get so many remonstrations in, then that goes through the DLGF or through
- some kind of process that has an ultimate decision maker that is not the
- that is not you, right?
- Now, I appreciate you taking the shot at it. I know that was a technical question, but it does raise
- some interesting ideas about how much we can bond for and for what. I mean, when you say 18, we're awfully
- close to what's been asked for to begin the Justice Center project at that point in terms of, I'm sure
- what you're coming back for later on that. So I just wanted to raise, you know, what are our, like,
- I think that's a good question to ask as we're considering this year, next year, and following years
- as our revenue continues to decline in the county as well, what we're asking for.
- Yeah, that's it. Go ahead. I'm sorry. And I just want to be clear that the structure that we've looked
- at with the Justice Center is a revenue bond, which is a different beast than a general obligation property
- tax bond. And my understanding is we could bond 100% of the county's revenue if we wanted to. And it's
- the way the law works, as it's been described to me. But we shouldn't do that.
- No, we're not on 100% of the county revenue. Because if you're utilizing property tax, that's where
- these rules kick in. And if you're using LIT, then there's a structure where you can only go up to 25%
- right now of what your revenue is. And then to you,
- I mean, you can't make your budget if you bond all your revenue. Thanks for going in the weeds with
- me. I appreciate it. All right. Thank you. Leslie, I just have a procedural question. Do you need to
- make any changes to the amendment or to the motion that I read today? Or, you know, you need to go to
- bond counsel for some additionals, but for tonight, it's OK the way they're at it. I think it was introduced
- at this meeting. I think we've had a very frustrating discussion that included changes. I actually think
- what you read is different than what was in the exhibit A. I think
- And I'm trying to go back. But I think it's pretty clear from this meeting what the expectation is.
- This will be advertised for your next meeting. So the appropriation will be advertised. And so the detail
- will be in that advertisement. So the public will be aware and know exactly what you guys are going
- to be looking at at the next meeting. Great. Thanks. OK. Well, that was it. A good conversation.
- All right. Are there any other questions from council related to this item?
- Seeing none, we will place this on the October 14th agenda for our next meeting. Thank you. We appreciate
- it. And I just want to clarify, I just pulled up exhibit A from the ordinance with regards to the motion
- and they match. I was going to say, I thought I took it straight from exhibit A.
- So whatever's in exhibit A is- I appreciate that. Okay. We'll make the changes as discussed. Thank you.
- Okay. I actually, I need to excuse myself for the moment, but before I excuse myself, I wanted to see
- if we could recess for five minutes.
- and be back for around 7.06 to finish out the agenda. Is that okay with council? Okay. All right. So
- we will come back at 7.06. Okay. And welcome back. We're still here. And we are going to dive into the
- county council business.
- and we're going to start with item 11B since A was tabled. Council, I move to approve ordinance 2025-26
- approval of the Recorder's Perpetuation Fund request for office expenses for the 2026 budget year. Second.
- All right, we got a motion and a second. I'm going to look to a person that's been really quiet this
- evening, which is Ms. Turner King. Hello. Hello.
- Hello. So I hear an echo, hold on. So the first resolution is 2025-26, which is the recorder sworn affidavit.
- This is a yearly thing that happens. The recorder presented a sworn affidavit during her budget session
- that states that there's enough funding in there to cover
- office expenses, and so this is the resolution that would accept that sworn statement and authorize
- that budgetary expense. Okay. Oh, okay. And we're back. That's all she has to say about that. All right.
- Looking to my left here to see if anybody has any questions.
- So I presume, well, this was in the packet, but I wonder if there's a way to put it up so people can
- see it now. We have a way to do that. And it looks like Ms. Turner King is intently getting ready with us.
- Okay, and so this is up for the public to see if you are via Teams or present here in the Na'i Hill
- room or to watch later. All right. Councilor Decker, did I see that you had your hand up? Okay. Okay,
- all right. Thank you. Looking over here to my right to see if anybody has any questions on this item.
- Yes, Councilor Hawke. I think this is just routine. Before she's allowed to spend money out of there,
- she has to put a resolution.
- saying that this is appropriate use of the money and so forth. So it's just something she has to do
- every year. She's going to use the money out of them. No problem. That's correct. And I try to find
- a problem if there's one there, but there's none there. Oh, we know. All right. Anybody else have anything
- on this item?
- Seeing none. If there's any public comment on this item, you can come forward to the lectern here in
- the night, you know, room, or you can raise your hand via teams. And seeing none. This is a resolution.
- Can we do a voice vote on this? Nope. It has to be a roll call. Ah, darn. Okay, I tried. All right.
- May we please have a roll call vote. Councillor Crossley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Decker?
- Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes.
- Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Hawk? Yes. Motion passes six zero. All right, next item. Council I move
- to open for discussion resolution 2025-41 a resolution relating to the use of overtime. All right, we
- got a motion and a second and to kind of queue up the conversation here because before we go to Ms.
- Turner King, this is
- Something that came out of budget discussion and conversation as we saw many account lines through various
- departments have overtime. And as the public continues to hear us say that we are trying to work really
- hard and getting our deficit down. And this was something that the council as a whole talked about last
- week during our marathon meeting.
- of other items that we could look at. And this is one of the discussions that came from that. So Ms.
- Turner-King, you can take it away. And I went ahead and displayed this resolution. This is the draft
- that I shared last week.
- So I'm skipping the whereas clauses and going to the now therefore clauses. Upon passage of this resolution,
- it would remove departmental budget lines in all departments except for departments with 24 hour operations.
- So that would include the sheriff, the jail, YSB, and then, and or that are responsible for responding
- to weather conditions and or natural disasters that covers highway. And then those are actually listed
- out in the next sentence.
- The second paragraph of the resolution indicates for the exempted departments, the council encourages
- over time to be used judicially and then it implements the following procedure. So if a department were
- to need additional appropriations or funding beyond what is already in their budget and was going to
- do an in-house transfer, it would require them to come to council before
- um that in-house transfer can happen which is not the current procedure um so it kind of makes uh it's
- it creates more transparency on what over how much overtime is being used and then there's um when they
- come to council a requirement that they provide a report and the report list out the number of hour
- time hours used by the department as of the date of the request the um dollar amount related to those hours
- The reasons for the overtime the amount of anticipated need that they're asking for why that
- is an anticipated need and then it also Asked for the number of comp and comp time hours occurred by
- the department's employees to kind of give you a comparison of comp timers overtime and i'm happy to
- make any amendments to this as Council sees fit Thank you for that and I see a hand raised over here
- to my left counselor vital
- Thank you. I don't know that I have any amendments, but I have a question. I'm just curious, maybe if
- there might have been another resolution before about overtime and if it was similar to this one, are
- we missing anything from one before that we might want to consider? That was just a thought.
- I didn't find any prior overtime resolution. I did find like a prior hiring freeze resolution. I did
- look to see if I could find other local government agencies that did overtime resolutions. There wasn't
- any that I could find. And so this is just kind of a new document that I thought documented the council's
- expressed intent.
- Yes, Councillor Henry. Thank you, Ms. Turner-King. I want to propose an amendment here, but I just wanted
- to maybe get some procedural steps in line here with the auditor's office as well. So under the now
- therefore item one, I'd like to add to the exempt department's airport operations. Now, my understanding
- is airport operations doesn't have an overtime line right now in the budget, so we'd have to add it
- later this evening at
- a line item, I think. So there's a two-step here. Does it matter for the resolution if we add airport
- operations now and then add the budget line item later, or do we need the line item first before I add
- it, in your view? I just want to make sure we're doing this right. I think if council wants to make
- that amendment and then pass this resolution with the intent that that amendment be incorporated, you
- can pass the resolution contingent on the creation of the overtime line.
- So if you do this first, you can create the line. I mean, would it be sufficient to add just add air
- for air? Sorry, keep saying Air Force. I guess we have an Air Force in the county now, right? Airport
- operation to the line. But do I need to add that other verbiage contingent upon or can I just say airport
- operations? I think that when we do the roll call on the motion and the resolution, we would add the
- contingency. Thank you. Madam President, I have a motion to amend the resolution.
- Okay, go ahead. And item one in the now therefore clauses to add the exempt departments would include
- the Air Force, I'm sorry, did it again, airport operations before sheriff's office. All right, we got
- a motion in a second on the airport, not Air Force, to be added in there. I think they just had a birthday,
- that's why you're
- Yep, thinking about it. All right. Any other questions on that? Yes, Councillor Paito. So I was just
- curious why it was before the sheriff's office. Is there a reason for that? Alphabetical, but it's not
- alphabetical. I don't think the rest of them are alphabetical. They're not. It just caught me. Okay.
- All right. Yes, Councillor Hawke. Right. At what point would, this is for
- Miss King, at what point is appropriate for us to add that line in the budget so that if it's necessary
- to use this, because it's not tonight. Kim. I was gonna say later tonight, we can make a motion to add
- it to the budget. Let's forget it. Okay. Are there any other further discussions on Councilor Henry's
- amendment?
- Seeing none, all those in favor of the amendment to add airport operations to this line signify by saying
- aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. All right, amendment carries. Now, coming back to the overall.
- Yes. Yeah, Councilor Everson. So my question is for staff. I know that a fiscal impact has not been
- calculated.
- and particularly makes it hard because we just added a whole other department. But do we have any idea
- of the fiscal impacts that this resolution, if passed, would have? And again, I mean, I'm asking you
- to ballpark it. I have not done one since I wasn't sure where you guys were going with what you were
- intending to do. But I could have one prepared for the next meeting in October 14.
- Thank you. Is there any other further discussion on this motion here or on the resolution? All righty.
- Seeing none. Yeah. Just a point of procedure, I guess. I read my motion as a discussion only.
- And so I don't think, I think given the fact that we just had that conversation about fiscal impact,
- then we'll read another motion at our next meeting. Sorry, we can just move forward with the changes
- as is. And then we can add it to the October 14th so that it will be on the corrected and in the packet
- for the public along with the fiscal impact.
- Or you can make a motion and approve it tonight. I personally want to see the fiscal impact before adopting.
- So I'm going to be quiet. Okay. Council would say yes. I think whatever we can do to make sure that
- we're reducing our expenditures is important to do and the sooner we do it, the better.
- And so I would like to see a vote on this tonight, and then we can make an adjustment amendment to it
- the next meeting. Okay, yes, Councilor Decker. I appreciate what Councilor Iverson said about fiscal
- impact. I generally on everything we're talking about in the budget, I'm very curious about this impact.
- And we're figuring out things, trying things, trying to get this all right.
- I am more in favor of holding this as Councilor Iverson I think said to the next meeting in case there
- are any other unintended consequences or to really see what we're talking about. Sometimes we can have
- really amped up conversations in here about $2.35. And sometimes we can have amped up conversations
- about very important things. And I'd like to have a better handle on what this truly means.
- sorry I miss I misspoke we can make changes at the after or during the public hearing so that will be
- our next time to be able to make adjustments so that is September 30th so next Tuesday we can I can
- bring this information back to you on September 30th. So we have a couple of council members who want
- to think about
- impact and then we just heard miss uh shell say that this resolution could come back to us on at our
- next meeting which is september 30th for the public hearing is there any other questions or comments
- from council related to this discussion well i'd like to call a question on doing it this evening and
- see where we go see if anybody would
- wants to do that. And if not, then the majority wishes to wait. Well, I guess I call the question on
- whether or not we would move forward with it tonight. And then any corrections to it can be made at
- our next meeting. Correct. The motion. At the motion, do I have a second? I'll second it. It doesn't
- look like we have a second, so you vote.
- Okay so we got a motion and a second are there any other further discussion on this item I guess I understand
- us wanting to know the fiscal impact of this and I think that is something that we could potentially get
- or we can get next week. So if we decided to pass this resolution tonight, we could still look to you
- to give us that impact. And if there is something that might impact what we hear, then we can always
- change that or make, you know, and we can bring this back up during next week's meeting. That is correct.
- Okay. Okay. Ooh, council hawk, look at us.
- I think I would be in favor of your motion. Can I ask a clarifying question on the motion? Yes. Is the
- motion to pass this night contingent on the creation of that overtime line that we talked about for
- the airport? Yes. I would be in agreement of that as well. Oh, bipartisan heart is so happy. Okay.
- Yes. So I was just wondering if somebody could be a little more elaborate on the pros and cons of doing
- it one way or the other. In terms of voting the motion Councilor Hawk made or not doing it, right? I
- think the pro is if we hear something that happens, and I don't want to speak, I guess she could also
- speak to this, but I think for me, this would be if we say,
- It all goes in our favor and we put this resolution into place. Um, and Michelle comes back and she
- brings us, you know, information related to fiscal impact. If everybody is all good with what she has
- brought to us, then there is no further discussion. That's one less item on a long night that we would
- have to hear. At least that's what I look at in terms of that. Yes, I get it. Okay. Yes. And the reasons
- you should vote no on this.
- is because number one, we don't know the fiscal impact. So if the fiscal impact is low, should we even
- be doing this? Does it have an impact? Number two, our staff who we work really hard to make sure have
- jobs just saw this resolution tonight. So department heads and people who are gonna be impacted by this
- have only heard this conversation tonight. I think we owe it to them to give them one week to mull it over.
- Oh, I'm sorry. Would there be no way then to change it if we approve to accept it now? Charge, we can
- get rid of totally next meeting if we'd like to. Yeah. So even if we didn't vote no, it seems like we
- can change it, right? Yes, that's what Michelle was saying as well too. Gotcha. And I saw Ms. Turner-King
- have her hand up.
- I think one detail on that is not in this resolution and I'm now going to reshare that might factor
- into whether you adopt it now or not is when do you and when do you want this to become effective because
- so for example, for the hiring freeze that.
- the discussion that is coming up next and the draft resolution has that resolution going into effect
- immediately. This does not have a timeline built into it. So is the idea that this is implemented for
- 2026 budgets, is it implemented now? I think if we really want to try to stop the flow of money leaving,
- We need to make it effective now. If between now and the next meeting, we have department heads that
- say, this really isn't working because it was an emergency, we did X, Y, and Z, we can change it then.
- But the longer we delay trying to get our work done, the more is going to be on our plate and we'll
- have another six hour meeting. Well, five hour, whatever it was. So I'm just trying to get things to move.
- that doesn't hurt anyone. Yes, Mr. Arne King. If it is council's intent that this become effective
- immediately, I would suggest that a motion should be made to amend this to add some language. And I
- would also like to, since we are currently in a payroll, we may already have people that have done over
- time. So I would recommend that the effective date
- be October 5th. That's the beginning of it. Excuse me. That's the beginning of the new payroll. Okay.
- And so again, this is we are on the discussion of Councillor Hawks amendment. So I saw Councillor Decker
- have his hand up. Yes. So I mean, that that kind of further illustrates a point and again,
- I don't know that we know specifically who right now was thinking why while they're running a department.
- But if somebody said on September 24th and 25th, I will need you to do a little bit of overtime for
- the annual ringing of the sheaves or whatever it is that the department knows that we don't know, then
- that could suddenly be not the plan in those next two days. Am I wrong on this? Right?
- I do get the sense to like hurry, hurry, hurry, do all these things, hurry. But again, we're talking
- about a thing that goes from one week to the next meeting to the cycle. So I just, I get a,
- I don't know, we can do what we want here, but again, sometimes there's midstream unintended consequences
- that come out.
- for something and hopefully we've exempted everything. I don't know, we found another one tonight that
- we had to add in here that was necessary. Yes, Councilor Iverson. So I want to make a motion to add
- the effective date. However, Council Member Hawke, would it be all right with you if I made this motion
- before we voted on your motion? Please do, yeah.
- that the effective date would be October 5th. October 8th. The fifth. The fifth. I said October 8th.
- It should be October 5th. October 5th. Second. This is crazy. Okay.
- So we made the motion to amend. So if we are wanting to do this effective immediately, because we are
- in the middle of payroll, that it would have an effective date of October 5th, 2025. OK. All right.
- Any other further discussion? All right. Seeing none.
- If there's any public comment that folks would like to make, you are here in the NattU Hill Room. If
- you'd like to make a public comment, you could come forward to the lectern here in the NattU Hill Room,
- or you can raise your hand via Teams. Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? This is on the
- amendment to add the effective date. Okay, correct.
- So yeah, so this will be the second amendment. Yes. So technically, because this is an amendment to
- add, we can do a voice vote. OK, that's right. All right. All those in favor of the amendment to add
- October 5th to this signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed, same sign. All right, motion carries.
- Now for the overall.
- resolution here can we have a roll call vote? Councillor Iverson? No. Councillor Deckard? No. Councillor
- Feidl? Yes. Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Hock? Yes. Councillor Crossley? Yes. Motion passes 4-2.
- Okay and the only thing for us having that vote tonight is
- If we hear anything else between now and next week, we can always bring this conversation back up. Michelle
- still can continue to look at the fiscal impact for that. And depending on what that could be, you know,
- conversations, other conversations could be had next week. So next item. Council, I move to open for
- discussion resolution twenty twenty five dash forty one.
- A resolution to temporarily freeze the hiring of full and part-time staff. All right, we got a motion
- and a second, and I'm going to go back to Ms. Turner-King for this one. And this is resolution 2025-42.
- Yes, I meant to, yeah, that was the Scribner's error, excuse me. This is 2025-42. I apologize.
- So I'm getting ready to share my screen. This is the hiring freeze resolution that council was considering
- but did not pass at the last meeting. And so what I have done is, in essence, looked at the last time
- a motion to this effect went into place.
- And it will go from there with amendments. So I think there I know there are a lot of departments have
- provided feedback based on the last council meeting and some of the feedback was situational.
- How does this hiring freeze apply to grant positions? How does this hiring freeze apply to departments
- that are already in the process of hiring process? So they've interviewed applicants. Some have already
- had applicants make commitments, but they won't start until later in October. So I think there's a lot
- of questions as to how council sees this hiring freeze applying to those situations.
- question. And so the last time that we had a higher end freeze was back during COVID. Is that correct?
- Yes. And I guess my question to how did we do it before? Because this was before my time. So the prior
- resolution doesn't have any language in it that is applicable to grant positions. And so
- I wasn't here either, but I'm assuming since there isn't anything in the resolution that exempts those
- positions, the resolution was applicable to those positions. And that is something that we should definitely
- consider. All right, I think I heard somebody say question over here. Councilor Haug, did you have a
- question? Yes, when it comes to grants, sometimes a grant is split between
- you know some money in the grant some money in general whatever and so I can I can see why we would
- want to make sure it was it just covered all of it because otherwise you'd have somebody hired to pay
- a part of the salary and then we're going to end up with the same mess we got now where all the grant
- money goes away and then we get stuck with everything in county general and that's not something we
- can continue to afford
- I want to address the third clause of this draft resolution which handles public safety It is clear
- that There it is in the fourth line that council will identify what positions fit within this category and
- And I think we need to think pretty, well, first of all, my question is, have we gotten feedback from,
- well, okay, hold on, let me back up. I think we need to think pretty broadly about this. And the reason
- is, I think when we think public safety, we think immediately of sheriff and jail. I think that's pretty
- rational. But we're about to hit winter.
- And this sun sets on December 31st and we get a big snowstorm who's going to be clearing the streets
- and the roads. To me, that's a public safety issue. When someone goes for a hearing, we got our public
- defender in the back of the room here. Are we is that an issue of public safety that people
- have representation in the courts? And so I think we need to think pretty long and hard about what exactly
- clause number three means. And I think that there's additional nuance within the departments, right?
- Not everyone in the department has that public safety feature, but not every position, excuse me. And
- so I think that needs to be teased out. And so my question to you, Ms. Molly Turner King, is when we'd
- done this before, did we elucidate those positions? Did we enumerate those positions?
- I used the exact language from the prior resolution, so they weren't identified or enumerated in the
- resolution itself. And I did not go back to the 2020 recordings to see if when the resolution was adopted,
- the conversation itself identified them. I mean, I think that's before we even start to really even
- seriously consider this resolution, I think we have to get that list.
- down pat when you talk to every single one of those department heads. Okay. Yes, counselor hop. I did
- send you an email about this, Molly. I mean, Miss King, because I wanted to make sure that this was
- it sort of reflected part of what the overtime situation was as well to making sure that a 24 hour
- that required staff such as in the jail, such as in the youth shelter that, you know, that they would
- always have, they have to have a certain amount of staff to have the door open. Can't very well close
- that jail and you can't very well close our youth shelter. So those things need to make sure we're protected
- that. And the only reason this would even come up is because we have a serious budget situation.
- that we have to address. Now you could pick it together for a long time and we could decide three or
- four months from now we should die three or four months ago, or we can do it sooner rather than later.
- So that we can do what we need to do. But I'm not going to argue the point I just know what I think
- we should do. Okay. Yes, counselor vital.
- So I have a couple of questions about the whereas language in the second one where it says whereas due
- to state and federal, it seems like there's something missing there. I add it, legislation. That one,
- what about in the fourth whereas where in the third line it says positions are naturally vacated and
- then would be to adopt. Is there something missing in front of would be to adopt?
- You see what I'm talking about? Okay. It seems like there's a word or two missing there. If you read
- it, it says can be obtained through attrition as positions are naturally vacated. Then it goes on would
- be to adopt. What do you mean would be to adopt? What would be to adopt?
- I think it's just a poorly worded sentence, and I can rewrite that one, but that is exactly how it was
- read in the first one. Well, I'm sorry I wasn't listening. No, it's okay. No, but you care. So, I think
- it just needs to be reworded. Okay. So, what is the intent there that that, I mean, you don't have to
- give me the exact verbage, what is the intent that that would say?
- It should say the council recognizes that one method that can be implemented to maintain personal cost
- at current levels or reduced levels would be to adopt a temporary hiring freeze. The problem is that
- to the extent reductions can be attained through attrition as positions are naturally vacated is modifying
- the reduced levels. And so I just need to make that more clear. Okay. So you'll work on that. Thank you.
- Councilor Decker. So I want to make sure I understand it correctly. Let's say that this is passed.
- In effect, a department says, I have a position that I believe is either a public safety or necessary
- position under this. That department would then come to us just like anything else that we would have here.
- and then we all would have a giant public discussion about that to move forward or not move forward.
- Is that right? C. Julie, yes. And it would have to hit one of those two, public safety or necessary.
- And we'd all talk about that very publicly in that sort of way. Well, if I can speak on it just for a second.
- I'm not a fan of these times by any stretch. I'm not a fan of these times at all. As I said a second
- ago, sometimes these things have unintended consequences. And in 2020, we had some strange circumstances
- occur that were never the goal. But again, you've got to do what you got to do. The one thing that I
- like about this all is that, which I'm sure department head may not necessarily always like,
- but that we will be in a discussion together talking about the position. And that's probably pretty
- annoying for the hiring, but I sometimes think that as council understands these things, we get these
- things and these things go from abstract into this is necessary. And so that's a portion that gives
- me relief. I will say this for councilors, we've got to be able to move like, you know what,
- through a goose, we cannot,
- Not because, I mean, you're talking about public safety and necessary positions. And a body that has
- to have 48 hours notice for things isn't really built for a hot rod speed. So that will be a thing that
- we do with those department heads. But if it's something that gets us to the other side, we just got
- to know that it's going to be that. And the last time we did it, there was a lot of detail walking and
- a lot of kind of figuring that out. And we have to be nimble.
- because we don't have a counter and they do. And that's, we cannot ever forget that. This all right
- here is not a counter. This is a meeting, a voting body of elected officials who are here some of the
- time and not always. This can put us here a lot and that may be part of it or it may not, who knows?
- Maybe it all gets better real quick, but I just throw that out there.
- Yes, Councilor Henry. Thank you, Madam President. I appreciate the comments of my peers here. And we,
- of course, were wrestling with hard times. I think what's important to relay, I think we have over the past
- month here as we've been wrestling with a budget with finite resources, at least from my seat, it's
- to preserve and take care of the staff we have. And so to the extent we have our people, we are trying
- to protect our folks and find a way to give them even COLA and tough financial times that this is part
- of it. I mean, as much as we would like to have additional resource helping our departments, the resource
- is finite. We are losing
- Revenue with each cycle. This is the easy year the next two years get increasingly difficult. And so
- it is weighing on all of us to look at this. My question is just a clarifying one in terms of
- the hiring process, right? Because there have been, I think Ms. Turner-King, you mentioned some department
- heads had raised the concern about where they are in their pipeline. So, I mean, as I'm counting it,
- I think we have nine vacant positions on the county website right now. Some, I presume, are very close
- to offer. Some may be in interviews. Did some of this come up in that meeting in terms of the current
- pipeline of where, who was in the department head meeting? Were you there? You were not. So, I'm kind
- of curious if anyone was in the meeting with department heads that could speak to
- the questions that were coming out about the pipeline process. There's some offers out there on the
- street, I take it. I've only know of one. Okay. And that was in the surveyor's office of someone he
- is currently interviewing someone for a position. I was not there for that department head meeting because
- that was the next morning after our marathon meeting.
- And so I didn't make it because that meeting was at nine o'clock. But I do know that it was discussed
- and that we've had several phone calls with regards to a hiring freeze. But he's the only one that has
- said I'm in the process of hiring. And I'll just finish my thought here to say again, you know, we do
- get into a space. If we're the ones up here at the counter, if you will, adjudicating what is
- is a word that's in the document what's necessary. First not of course we do that through pack anyway
- it when we have a more deliberate process but looking at the list right now we have. A truck driver
- which we've talked about snow removal at some point right we have an airport operations specialist which
- is FAA put out fires shovel snow at the airport. We have the fourth disposition for health that we've
- been fighting for back and forth all year- you mentioned the surveyor. We have some fleet maintenance
- prosecuting attorney's office and a public defender and of course now we're into the criminal justice
- conversation and three Youth Service Bureau personnel and so just that survey of what's currently being
- marketed runs into some challenges in the resolution
- I guess what I would offer is if it's marketed, it's in the pipeline right now, and then there's sort
- of the faucet that turns off behind. I think Councilor Wilts had mentioned something to that effect,
- not to put words in her mouth, regarding the ability that we always have had to put holds on positions
- that come out from departments anyway. Thinking about at what point we turn off the faucet has my attention
- this evening, I think. That's a good point.
- Ms. Turner-King had her hand up. I was just gonna add that I also know of one department that has actually
- extended an offer. The offer has been accepted. The applicant has given two weeks notice and is scheduled
- to start on October 22nd. Okay, got it. Councilor Decker said something during his comment and I had
- it and I lost it. And I'm trying to figure it out.
- how to bring it back. Oh, okay. So I guess my question to council members that were here when we did
- have this implemented before was, and anybody for that matter, the staff as well. When we did have this
- higher end freeze, what was the process for council to go through and to have the public, I guess, conversations
- with department heads to make the case for to implement the new person or to. Yeah. I was just going
- to say if you wanted me to I can easily go back within the week and find the 20 20 recordings and watch
- it and provide a summary of those conversations to counsel. I want to say.
- was if a department had a vacancy, they submitted a request stating what the vacancy was, you know,
- within the narrative and why they needed it. And then council would bring them in at the next opportunity,
- you know, the closest meeting that they could. So. Yes, Councillor Hawke. Just wanted to mention that I noticed
- I know you folks don't care what the state's doing, but I noticed one of the things that they were doing
- was saying if the position, I didn't have memorized it and I just was reviewing it, something about
- if the position was vacant where they came forward, they still had to leave it vacant for 30 days before
- they filled it. They had to have permission to fill it, but thereby,
- relieving that budget so that 30 days worth of salary was not used because they were trying to get enough
- money to get through the year or having some reversions. I mean, you would want to go back and take
- a look at that. But I thought, well, that is one way to really try to get some reversions is to say,
- if it's already been vacant for a while and you hadn't bothered to fill it now, all of a sudden you
- want to fill it.
- and you come and say, yes, you want to fill it, you still have to leave it for another 30 days.
- I don't know, I just thought that was an interesting part to put in there. We might wanna look at, would
- that help? I'm not saying I'm for it, we're against it. Yes, Councilor. Yeah, I wanna pick up on that
- because there are positions we've had vacant in the county for several months.
- I think if you're gonna take a measure of what's necessary or not, you can make an argument that says
- if you haven't even marketed it, if it's been vacant for a while, those might be line items to start
- looking at. We would just need, I think, a clock on some of those to figure out in the 2026 budget,
- if there's a line item for it and there's an appropriation, but we know it's been sitting open for six
- months or more, that might be something to look at. So it's similar to what I think you're describing,
- but to go a little farther and say,
- Is this necessary if it's been sitting vacant? What is the rationale for keeping it open? And there
- may be some positions in there we can scrape. But I know we're off the rails on the resolution itself,
- but yeah. I mean, it's still all a part of it. Yes, Councilor, I'll go Decker and then Feidl. One thing
- we could do, so if we have folks that are in progress, one thing we could do is add to the resolution
- that we recognize there's a
- ramping up of this, meaning that obviously much like the overtime discussion, faucet on, faucet off
- can be more complicated during a service period. So I'm wondering since we ticked off a few people and
- I wouldn't want to do this, us doing this, but if we said that between now and the next week, department
- heads could identify things in progress that could then be tracked
- towards that onset of whatever the disposition of that is. And then after that, this occupies that process.
- So it literally gives sort of an on-ramp to anyone who registers within the week. Public defender says,
- hey, I've got this interview. Prosecutor says this coming up. They give us an idea of those.
- We have those. We've got that sort of docketed. Here's number one, two, three, four, five, six.
- and I hate to put extra work on them, but this could fix this, then post that list after the week is
- closed, then we're under this system. And that gives everybody a chance to say, I don't wanna take a
- ride on that cruise, or I do wanna ride on that cruise, or I'll just wait until this all settles and
- sees. Does that make sense? So if I were wizarding this on here, I would put that,
- whereas is right. So I would put it in. I wouldn't make it the last whereas. Yeah. Your intent is to
- ask departments to provide some type of list that of
- that are already started. I think you can identify what you mean by started. Does that mean I posted
- the job? Does that mean I've interviewed? Where are we at? And then what I think might be easier is
- to say that to attach the list as an exhibit and say, as identified by the departments, these are the ongoing
- Hiring process in place prior to the passage of this resolution and this resolution would allow the
- hiring of those positions Yeah, I would say if there's a human involved in a discussion. That's not
- Someone on the county side or a human prospect in that now that that would be enough and we give that
- grace for this one week additional period and then from beyond that Go to the traditional system
- I'm an interested applicant hot prospect, interview and progress negotiation underway. I think that
- I think beyond that it's fishing and it's not there. And then it just falls under this which is somebody
- comes in and says, I gotta have this, you all should agree. And we say yay. Does that make sense, Molly.
- Councillor Fido.
- Speaking of Molly, she gave a really good example of a timeline of a situation, a current situation.
- And so I don't know what we would need to write to accommodate that, to make it fair to the person accepting
- the job. In my mind, we certainly don't want somebody to say, I'm leaving another job, and thought I
- had one here, and then they don't, right?
- I think that would be a situation that would go in that exhibit list that Trent or Councilor Deckert
- was just referring to to say that this process has already been started and actually finished. We're
- just waiting for a start date so that that position can be hired as an exception to this resolution.
- I just don't want the timing to get messed up.
- anyhow in giving people options that they thought they had and then they make poor, not really poor
- decisions, but they're stuck with the consequences, right? Although I understand that there's some urgency
- to take action, I think that the best course would be for me to incorporate all of these ideas in a
- draft, send it out to you, and then you can review it at the next week's meeting.
- and that also gives departments time to tell us what what they have in progress or if they have additional
- feedback because right now this is just a discussion item I don't know if you're opening it to public
- comment but I imagine there is public comment I'm sure of that yeah okay so
- that it's definitely a thought that is on our minds right now. And it is clear that a lot of us still
- have some things that we want to work out with this. And since this is just a discussion rather than
- Councilor Iverson making a motion, this is something that I think we need to think about a little bit
- more, get more data here from our department heads as well. And
- come back to the drawn board next week on the 30th. Yes, Councillor Fido. Just one more thing I see
- at the bottom. It talks about in number six will automatically expire December 31st. And I guess I don't
- know where that date came from. It's a placeholder right now. That is a discussion point that I was
- going to bring up.
- In essence, I drafted it just like our PAC pause, which was it would expire at the end of this year
- unless revisited or extended by council. I think it makes sense. And the intent is to limit budgetary
- expenses for next year that it would extend into December 31st of 2026. Yeah, because I think we're
- at a different point now making this resolution than we were when we did the PAC pause, right? In my opinion.
- And this resolution actually number six says at the bottom. I know it's not something that we're going
- to at least for me, I'm not ready right now. Number six, it says this resolution will automatically
- expire December 31st, 2025. So that's just maybe something to think of to change as well too, since
- we just had the conversation of having it set to expire during the last day of the budget of 26.
- which is December 31st. Okay. So that was a, so if there are any department heads that are listening
- and watching or here, please send your information to us as council. We, again, we do care about what
- is happening with the state house because
- They're the reasons why we're having all these conversations and trying to figure out and stress to
- the max and all the ulcers that all of us feel as we are going through this budget season. So I dare
- to say that we actually do. If I could, I'd like to have departments forward everything to the council
- office. That way you guys don't get a bunch of different
- Emails and then that way I'll consolidate them and work with Molly and then we can get them all out
- And I know this is going to be asking a lot of department heads but I I think the best approach because
- I don't think they're all watching is for either Kim or myself to send an email out to department heads
- and I would like to see what council feels about as putting a deadline for like end of day Wednesday
- and I say end of day Wednesday because potentially
- I'm going to take all of this information and try to get a draft for a packet that's going to come out
- on Friday. Because we'll have to have the agenda in the packet out Friday for next Tuesday. Okay.
- I mean, I can work on.
- We could say Thursday. I was gonna say, could we say, since today's Tuesday, that gives people a lot
- of chance to ponder and think about that. So I'd like the idea, and I'm wondering if everybody is okay
- with this, of allowing department heads to weigh in by noon on Thursday, this Thursday, so that we can
- get the information out and put it in packets, so that we can all receive it, ponder on it, until our
- next meeting on the 30th.
- Does that sound good for everybody? Yes, counselor. And maybe giving leeway for for staff that if the
- the incoming data is is quite a bit and we're working on 26 budget and we're working on everything else
- that if there is not turnaround time to include it for the next advertised budget that that maybe grace
- can be given for a future agenda as well.
- I'm very conscious of the amount of work that we're putting on our staff at this point. Of course,
- of course. To piggyback on Council Member Iverson's comment, I think I can send an email and I will
- also ask department heads just to send comments directly to me because Kim and Lehua are knee deep in
- budgets and this is one thing, and Sophia Travis, so this is one thing I can just handle myself. Okay,
- thank you. Thank you for stepping up to the...
- volunteer for the Tribune. All right. Okay. So be prepared for conversations for next week as we go
- through this. All right. Next up on our agenda here is item B.
- Council, I move to open for discussion and to clarify that the council precedent set for assigning an
- employee as an outlier in the salary ordinance is based on the employee's hourly rate and not
- the classification. Second. All right. And this is where I look to Ms. Turner-King again, because this
- is your part where you come in. It's your show. We all live in it.
- This is the situation that occurred back in February. It's a little bit further back than February.
- In November, the Council Office and the Public Defender worked to create a job description for system
- navigators. Prior to then, a system navigator job description didn't exist, so we created one, we sent
- it to WIS, it came back, it was classified as a Comet D, and previously it was a Civ Poll D.
- Council approved the amended job description in February and what was supposed to happen at that meeting
- was that the system navigators would be grandfathered in or classified as outliers at their current
- rate and then when that rate matched the rate of the comment declassification then they would
- in essence, absorb the rate and continue on with the common declassification. The signature page for
- what occurred at the February 11th meeting documents the process that I just said, and the agenda states
- that process. Unfortunately, the motion was different and so thus led to confusion. So currently, what
- we need to clarify is that
- What we need to clarify is, was it the council's intent to grandfather them and then at the rate, which
- is in line with what council has done in this situation in the past, or was the intent to grandfather
- them in at the classification, which would mean that the rates would never align and thus they would
- remain at the civil D rate until the people who are currently in that position vacated it and new positions
- would be hired in at the common D rate, which is not what council usually does, I've been told.
- Thank you, yes, Councilor Feidl. So I don't know that I remember everything, but I think that I feel
- strongly that there should be an element of past practice here. What we have done in the past would
- make me very happy to do again. All right, does anybody else have any questions or comments related
- to this item? Yes, Councilor. Council Member Feidl said it the best, I agree. Okay, anybody else for
- that matter?
- Seeing none, for the record, Councilor Hawkins left the building. Okay, so if there is public comment
- on this particular item, here is your time to shine, you can come forward to the lectern here in the
- night, you know, room, or you can raise your hand via teams. And seeing none, maybe please have. Oh,
- well, before we do.
- This is just open for discussion, so there's not a motion on the table to make a salary amendment. Okay.
- Just kidding. Do we need to approve our clarification? Do we need to make a motion? Do we need to approve
- council's intent? I think the motion would incorporate the intent. Got it. I think it did too. So do
- you want to make a motion tonight
- Amend the salary ordinance or would you like us to add it to the next meeting? No. Add the clarity you
- just decided. We're going to let him finish his bite. And then. Iverson clarified it is. It
- is my understanding that the clarity that Council just identified matches what I read in what I just said.
- motion was to open for discussion so I think you have to move to amend the salary ordinance that so
- that the salary ordinance aligns with your discussion. I mean I'm gonna do my best on this motion you
- ready. Council I moved to open the salary
- The outlier in the salary ordinance is based on the employee's hourly rate. Second. All right. Oh, man,
- there's not a lot of confidence over there. We got a motion and a second. Yes. So is this the past practice,
- what we did before? I just want to clarify. I don't know what to miss turning for that. We need to.
- If I may help with the motion. I am in need of it. Perhaps the language should be that you are moving
- to amend the salary ordinance so that the system navigators are identified as outliers by their hourly
- rate and not by their classification. At this point, you could say so moved. A little too helpful there.
- Nice prompting. Love the prompting. OK. So just so we all are clear, is that sufficient for the intent?
- And the best practice. Correct. And the best practice. Best practice. OK. So now that we did that, now I can
- go back to my Oopsy-Daisy moment and saying, if there's any public comment related to this item, please
- come forward to the lectern here in the Nattie Hill room or raise your hand via James. Pardon me, who
- seconded that? I consented. All right. Seeing none, I ask for consent that we go to a roll call. Councilor
- Feidl? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Crossley?
- Yes. Councillor Iverson. Yes. Councillor Deckard. Motion passes five zero. Okay. Thank you very much.
- Next up is item F. Council I move to open for discussion and possible adoption resolution 2025-27
- establishing the 2026 minimum cash balances.
- Ms. Turner-King, it says you are up on this conversation. Well, I can start this conversation, but I
- don't think this is a me conversation. I think there is some interest in potentially amending the minimum
- cash balance resolutions that was passed. And I don't have it readily available to display it, so I
- don't know if Kim, you could find that resolution.
- Before the conversation starts off, I think the one caveat and concern that I will voice is that if
- we're going to in any way amend those minimum balance levels, I do think that it's worthy of having
- a conversation with FSG. And so I have a scheduled meeting time with FSG tomorrow. And so if there are
- any questions that council has or concerns that they
- immediately would want answered before amending this resolution. I am happy to address that with F S
- G tomorrow. Okay. Um, okay. And I see the auditors hit was an agreement as well as making sure that
- we have that conversation with F S G. Um, so since it was brought forward for discussion, um, and this
- is information for us to give back to
- the powers that be to have the conversation with FSD. Would anybody like to make their conversations?
- I'm gonna go to Councilor Decker and then I'm gonna rotate over here to my right with Councilor Iverson.
- Thank you very much for entertaining this and I appreciate very much some analysis from FSD and I'll
- just be candid. I've talked on the mic numerous times about this
- that I have a concern that some of the pressure we're hitting in our budget is our desire that we enacted
- in this resolution.
- to hit all these minimum cash balances so that when we're budgeting, we're looking at priorities of
- departments. We're looking at revenues coming in, but we're also thinking about minimum cash balances
- so much that it is start. It's starting to perhaps eat into things that we have. We went from a minimum
- and I'll take just the general fund for line 1000.
- We went in the general fund from a cash balance last year of 10 million up to 15 million. I am concerned
- that that additional 5 million is starting to creep into the pressure that we're feeling and that we
- are literally getting into while this is a time to be.
- to have austerity and to trim it and to own it and to think hard about every single line. And I'm not
- saying we have not done that in the past, but we are literally looking in every space in every department.
- While it is a time to do that, we also have to think about the priorities that we set and what we sacrifice.
- And while I do believe it is desirable that the county maintains strong
- minimum cash balances over existing rainy day funds as part of good practice. I'm a little bit concerned
- that that effort to please both rainy day fund, which you need to have, and we have had, and we've built
- up over the years, and minimum cash balance starts to set a tierage of systems by which the service
- for which the taxpayers have paid starts to come in equally with those things. And I'll put it another
- way, if I could.
- Uh, years ago, there was a good, uh, state rep up from the northern part of the state named Jeff aspect.
- He was ways and means chair. I think, uh, he's still around. He would always say this when Franco Bannon
- was governor and there was some surplus in the state. He'd say government is not a bank. Now I don't
- believe that that statement is 110% of the time, but we have to be very careful that in our effort to.
- hit these high standards of money we want to kind of have on hand that we're not forcing ourselves to
- cut services or cut things without being smart about it and so tonight I mean we're literally we're
- talking about overtime.
- We're talking about hiring freezes. We're talking about moving money into bonds. We're talking about
- what goes in that bond. We have to think about all those things, and that is our job. We signed up for
- it. But I just worry that that $15 million could be a price too high. And so I would love to hear FSG
- comment on $12 million as a minimum.
- And I would say that that would be to me a starting point that we think of that as a minimum, but we
- may in future years find that our ability to continue to say those sort of high standards we have versus
- what's happening in our tax base that we may not be able to kind of keep
- those numbers the way they are. I don't want to affect our bond rating. I'm looking for that answer
- from them. I don't want to put us into trouble. But I know that when I looked, I believe it was yesterday
- I was in here for a good portion of the day, it looked like we had a 22 million cash balance. We had
- 7 million of that, which was not designated dollars.
- And so I have to think about if I go sit right now in the middle of Elksville or somewhere in this county,
- can I make an argument to a taxpayer? I'm cutting services and I need to add another 5 million to that
- minimum cash fund. I hope I'm wrong on that, but I just not to belabor the point. I think we've got
- a. I think we have to sacrifice a little bit too in that and that doesn't mean not being fiscally prudent.
- It just means pruning some of our expectations, so I'll stop talking.
- Thank you very much. Councilor Iverson. Thank you, Madam President. The way I'm looking at this is that
- we, as I think Council Member Henry said it earlier, need to have every tool in our toolbox at our disposal.
- I'm very glad that we're talking with FSG tomorrow. I'm very glad that we're discussing this. And I
- think this is certainly one of the things that we can look at.
- as this year I do think is gonna be one of the easier years. I think the next two years are gonna be
- even harder. So I remain curious and I think that's a good place to be here. And I wanna reiterate that
- I am deeply in favor of the work of the Long-Term Finance Committee. I think that's a very wise thing
- that we did to create that committee.
- these minimum cash balances, minimum fund balances came out of that committee as a best practice. And
- you can go out and look at local government finance and look at the different best practices. This is
- one of them. I don't think anybody here is looking to get rid of these cash balances. And I think that
- as we are having these conversations, this is something that Councilmember Deckard raised as well,
- that if we zero-based budgeted this from 2024, or I think that was the last year that we had it, that
- would that impact the bond rating? Would that impact our ability to have ability to bond? And I think
- these are all really interesting questions that we need to talk with FSG about. And one of, I think,
- The other thing that I wanted to point out is as you're looking at this long list on the screen of minimum
- fund balances. I don't I am not in favor of reducing.
- you know, all of them by a certain percentage. What I am in favor of is I think what something that
- Councilor Deckard alluded to was looking at the general fund and the general fund alone, because that's
- been the emphasis that we are looking at our 2026 budget at is trying to keep that general fund healthy.
- So I'll leave it at those comments. Thank you. Councilor Henry. Thank you, Madam President. I have two
- questions and then a comment. So first question is,
- The FSD's recent assessment about leaving the minimum fund balance as recommended, has that letter been
- made public in a public space? We received a document from them. Is that something that's public record
- that could be found at this point? As far as I know, it hasn't been shared publicly. I think it would be.
- good to do so. So between now and the next time we talk about this, that makes sense. Secondly, I have
- a question about the numbers and then I'll get to my comments. So Brianne and Carly, in order to really
- understand this question, we need to understand what happened between settlements because what the fund
- balance is doing is protecting our ability to pay our bills each month, right? And as we sawtooth down to
- the moment where we're running low on funds before settlement is when things get worrisome. So can you
- share if you have the balances between the last settlements of December and June of 25 of this year
- and what that looks like? Because I think we do need some numbers in order to really understand what's
- being asked here. Do you have it? I mean, that fast. OK. Yes, I have.
- information in front of me. So we ended the year general fund balance at $30,181,939. So in the span
- between settlements, so 12-18-24 through 6-19-25, the total receipts were $17,241,973.
- And then just the salary portion of expenses from the general fund were $22,456,600. So pretty close.
- All right. So just one other figure. The day before settlement, the general fund cash balance
- was $17,404,000. So real close. And so one can imagine if we had health care reimbursements hit
- at that moment, like we just dealt with last week, 5.6 million, give or take, that would have been a
- challenge for us because we would have had a difference in the minimum fund balance. Okay. I think that's
- one of the points we need to evaluate with FSG right there. So I want to just maybe say my piece about
- this as we get in front of FSG and what this really means. I've heard this opinion making about reducing
- the minimum fund balance for the past few weeks. I just don't agree.
- I just don't agree with it. But aside from the fact that we just voted in June to raise our caps at
- the advice of FSG based on their expertise as financial advisors, right? So I think the first idea that
- I want to talk about is this idea of government as a bank, which I think Councilor Deckard's raised
- a few times. I think it's probably best to think of the minimum fund balance as a shield or our insurance
- policy against those shocks, kind of like that, which we just heard about.
- It's not just the health insurance payments, it's the fact that the state and federal funding is wonky
- at best right now in terms of how we get things from the state and federal government. That's part of
- the discussion here. It's our shield, our insurance policy that we can show that we can pay our bills.
- So I'm not comfortable, you know, in doing that. I don't think the answer to a leaky budget is to lower
- the basement floor. I think it's to go find the holes in our budget and go make the cuts where they
- need to be. We get two sack settlements a year. We've been hit with millions in unanticipated insurance
- bills in the past two months.
- And I really do think the days that we went through an ARPA discussion this evening about being kind
- of flush with ARPA money, as well as COVID money are over. I think it's also fair to say that as income
- tax changes in the state, our ability to receive the four or $2 million surprise income that we tend
- to get sometimes year after year, usually in the summer, those disbursements are probably coming to
- an end as well. And so there's a lot to think about here. I would like to maintain the cushion that's
- been recommended by FSG because of the
- two things that are on my mind. First is, it's good accounting practice. When we get audited under generally
- accepted accounting principles, I hope John Michael's looking down on me right now as talking about
- gap, but GFOA, the Government Finance Officers Association, they recommend about 16 to 18% of the minimum
- fund balance. Now, we are at 23% in one of those funds with the general fund, so you could say that
- seems high-ish, but we have to balance it, I believe, on what FSG was telling us.
- Which is we just sat through a presentation about bonds, right? Six million over five years.
- And as Mr. Cockrell said, could be six million every year for five years. That's an increase in our
- bonding there. We also know that the commissioners would like to bond somewhere between 10 and 17 million
- every year for the next 20 years to build a criminal justice facility. That's a lot more bonding.
- which means you have to show the market that you're good for money with the AA bond rating that we have
- in the county. So more money, more borrowing capacity, a little more in reserve to show we can pay our
- bills, especially when we saw tooth down to those deductions when we get very close to our settlement.
- So those things are on my mind as we're looking at this. They clearly need the expertise of FSG to weigh
- in on this, so we're aiming right.
- I'm gonna stick with my vote in June at this point, where we raised it, especially given how much is
- being asked of us to fund while revenues continue to decrease. This counselor, Iverson, I think quoted
- me, I'm quoting him back now, this is the easy year, right? It gets harder. We're not at final boss
- level, if you will. So with that, Madam President, those are some of my thoughts on this resolution
- this evening, thank you. Duly noted, okay, thank you.
- anybody else would like to weigh in on this conversation? I will. And then we'll proceed forward. Again,
- I think the biggest thing that we continue to keep talking about is how are we going to lower this deficit
- that is in our budget right now? And while on one side of the
- deus if you will maybe is you know the thought of looking at the minimum cash balance and on one side
- of the coin here I should say is you know maybe not looking at that I think I would like as I've said
- before with this is we
- I want to be able to look at, after this budget season has come and gone, that we have left no stones
- unturned, that we've looked at every possible thing. I know that there are some people, because in our
- conversations in 2026 budget hearings have been, you know, maybe we used to edit for certain things
- and some people have been like, well, no, don't do that. And then we hear people going, don't touch
- my minimum balance right now. And then we have,
- the argument of, hey, let's look at what this looks like. So I think for me, I want to be able to weigh
- in on every single thing and look at every little speck of lint when it comes to what we need to do
- for this particular budget season. So I am curious to know what FSG definitely says, because I don't
- want to hurt
- our bond and capacity and I don't want us to be in a really sticky type situation where we've kind of
- put ourselves in a FAFO status with balances if you will. So that's on my mind and that is my concern
- and I don't fault any council member up here for trying to figure out what we can do because again,
- hashtag thanks Indiana for putting us in this predicament to begin with.
- So I look forward to the conversation that will be had tomorrow and then you will report back to us
- because I would assume again this is something that will come up on September 30th. Yes and if council
- members have specific questions
- If you could forward them to me before tomorrow, which I know is asking a lot so that when the FSG meeting
- happens, I can ask those questions. And I will also send Councilmember Hock and Wilt an email asking
- if they have any questions so that they aren't left out of the opportunity to
- Here fsg's thoughts what time so that we all know exactly They haven't confirmed a time. I only proposed
- afternoon times so by noon, okay Okay, so by noon tomorrow
- everybody that has pressing issues or things that we might think about later after we've had a good
- night's sleep and some coffee tomorrow morning, we'll think about things and we'll pass that information
- along. And also one more hand raised, Councilor Decker. Yeah, one thing I want to say, I appreciate
- very much you looking at this. I would be would like to know very specifically what FSG says about this
- is what you have to do not it would
- your most ideal thing is never to spend money. Because sometimes I've been in some of those meetings
- and the implication is just don't ever spend money and you'll be okay. We have got to have very specific
- information. If I'm literally saying or we are saying in lieu of spend those dollars or don't mean this
- is really a line item. It's a $5 million line item that sits in the budget alongside everything else,
- including all the items that we have debated other items that have been cut.
- and may have been cut. And we need to know very specifically if that would go from 15 to 14, 15 to 13,
- 15 to 12 in general fund, what that would mean. And I'll put this in email to you, but not that it's
- the most ideal as a preference to have the most as possible. That is consultant talk, and we need actual
- talk. And we cannot be the only county that's contemplating this.
- we're having this issue. I'll go back to Council Henry, and then if we all have any other further discussions
- after this, I'd like for us to move on for other items here. As a consultant American, I'm not offended
- by that statement. But Ms. Gregory, what happens, maybe the question for the auditor, when we're lowering
- the minimum fund balance, what does that do to the deficit? Nothing.
- Nothing. I think I was just cautioned about comparing this against other line items. It's kind of the
- equivalent of saying that I have an auto pay set up on a bank account, and I know the money's sitting
- there, and it's supposed to pay my auto payments. And then sometimes I touch it because maybe I can
- get a deposit in there in time to cover my bills. It's just a different line item. It's not a line item
- relative to others. It's just, I think,
- And it's not really a philosophical statement. At some point, we are going to get into GAP and generally
- accepted accounting practices. So I do look forward to what FSG has to say on that. Thank you, Matt.
- So there's a great rapper that wants to hit the marathon continues. So that being said, this
- is a conversation that will continue to come about.
- We'll stay tuned like a telenovela next Tuesday, September 30th. All right. Thank you very much. And
- now we are moving back to item G, which is also a marathon, which is the twenty twenty six budget.
- All right. Here we go. This is item G one. And for those of you counting at home, we're going to go
- to G 11. So there's 11 motions coming.
- Buckle up. Council, I move to open budget 1107-0000 aviation fund and make the following amendments.
- Reduce line. I'll wait for the screen here. Reduce line 13590 airport operations specialist to $50,711.
- Reduce account line 17601 Longevity to $5,300. Reduce account line 18101 FICA to $50,577. And finally
- reduce account line 18201 PERF to $88,868. Second. All right, we got a motion and a second.
- Are there any questions from Council? Michelle, would you like to speak on this? Yes, if you'll recall
- during aviation's budget session, they mentioned that a long term employee had resigned and that this
- line needed to be set back down to the minimum for 2026. So those are the numbers reflective of what
- is needed for 2026.
- Okay, all right. Okay. Maybe everyone will call the vote. Councillor Crossley. Yes. Councillor Iverson.
- Yes. Councillor Deckard. Yes. Councillor Feidl. Yes. Councillor Henry. Yes. Motion passes 5-0. Okay,
- next up, G2.
- Council I move to open budget 1000-0271 General Fund Public Defender and make the following amendments.
- Reduce account line 13038 system navigator to $38,077. Reduce account line 13039 system navigator to
- $37,728. Reduce account line 18101 FICA
- to $138,452 and reduce the count line 18201 perf to $249,612. Did I misread something? OK. OK. We got
- a motion and a second? Yes, Mr. McCain. This item is to, in essence, reflect the change that you just
- made in the 2026 budget. An artfully stated motion, might I add. All right.
- Any other further questions from council on this item? I hope not, because we had a whole conversation
- before. Okay. And seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor
- Deckard? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Motion passes 5-0.
- All right. Next up, item G3. Council, I move to open budget 1000-0626, general fund animal control.
- and make the following amendment. Increase account line 35040 animal shelter interlocal to $480,808.
- Okay. And again, this is animal control in the general fund. Okay.
- Yes, I reached out to the sheriff's department and I spoke with Jamie, the financial manager for the
- sheriff's office, and asked her if they had received anything with regards to the animal local shelter
- in her local. And she reached back out to them and it had passed. So this number that I'm asking to
- increase this to is reflective of what has been passed by the city. So this is our portion for the 2026 year.
- Any other further discussion from Council on this item? Yes, Councilor Vito. Can you highlight the difference
- there, what it was and what it's going to? It's right there on the screen. Well, I can't see it from
- here. You can't? OK, it's 433-123 to 480-808. Thank you. OK. Any other questions or comments on this
- item? Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote? Councilor Deckard?
- Yes. Councillor Final. Yes. Councillor Crossley. Yes. Councillor Henry. Yes. Councillor Iverson. Yes.
- Motion passes 5-0. All right. Next up is G4. Council I move to open budget 1173-0000. Motor vehicle
- highway restricted and make the following amendments. Create the following account lines.
- Truck driver 15830 set the amount to 13,505. Truck driver 15831 set the amount to 13,505. Truck driver
- 15832 set the amount to 13,505. Truck driver
- 15833 set the amount to 13505. Truck driver 15835 set the amount to 14045. Truck driver 15836 set the
- amount to 12829. Truck driver 15837 set the amount to 13505. Truck driver 15838 set the amount to 12829.
- Truck driver 15839 set the amount to 13505. Truck driver
- Truck driver 15840, set the amount to 12829. Truck driver 15841, set the amount to 13505. Truck driver
- 15842, set the amount to 12829. Truck driver 15844, set the amount to 12829. Truck driver 15845, set
- the amount to 12829. Light equipment operator, right? LT is light, all right, thank you.
- 15847 set the amount to 14248. Light Equipment Operator 15848 set the amount to 14248. Equipment Operator
- 15849 set the amount to 14649. Equipment Operator 15850 set the amount to 16053. Equipment Operator
- 15852 set the amount to 14082. Equipment Operator 15853 set the amount to 16053. Equipment Operator
- 15854, set the amount to 14082. Equipment operator 15855, set the amount to 14082. Equipment operator
- 15856, set the amount to 14649. Sign man 15857, set the amount to 14248. Sign man 15858, set the amount to 13697.
- Traffic Control Tech 15861 set the amount to $11,872. Traffic Control Tech 15862 set the amount to $11,872.
- Full time self insurance, 18001 set the amount to $100,847. FICA 18101 set the amount to $32,461. PERF
- 18201 set the amount to $56,368. Furthermore, reduce account line 23400
- to $93,000 or to account line three zero zero zero six contractual to nine hundred fifty one thousand
- one hundred twenty one dollars and reduce account line three zero one two nine sidewalk repair
- and maintenance to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars second no idea that is a terrible thing to
- say to someone
- Bingo. All right. Can you repeat those? Michelle, what would you like to add to this? Lisa Ridge is
- here if you'd like to speak with her. But what happened was this is a way to reduce the amount in 1176
- and just kind of give some relief to that fund in 1176. So this is just a portion of
- the truck drivers that can be put in here. We did speak with employee services. This can be done through
- AOD where a portion can be paid out of two different funds. So do you wish to say anything? Okay. So
- the public isn't hearing you Lisa, I'm sorry.
- Hello. So we're just taking 25% of the crews and putting them into 1173. In the past, we used to do
- transfers all year. It gets a little bit messy doing that. Last year, we tried to do this. It still
- left our 1176 way over budget. I don't like to be over budget, so moving 25% over to the restricted
- activities will help balance those two budgets and keep them within our estimated revenue.
- Thank you very much for that. All right, anybody have any questions on this long motion here that Council
- Iverson made? It was a long and it was a lot of numbers. So we're confident the numbers are correct,
- right? No doubt about that, right? Yes. The highway department sent me these numbers. I typed them in
- to this script, sent it back to them. They double checked it. So everything is correct. Love it. Thank you.
- And I just want to remind everyone the next one's even longer. So thanks. You were built for this. Okay.
- All right. Without any other further discussion, you like using your TV. May we please have a roll call
- roll. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Deckard? Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Councilor
- Iverson? Yes. Motion passes five zero.
- all right next up on the twenty twenty six bingo card is item g five make me laugh council i moved to
- open budget eleven seventy six dash zero zero zero zero motor vehicle highway and make the following
- amendments reduce the these account lines super into can i just say the name and not the account whatever
- you want to do whatever i want to do yeah all right
- Reduce superintendent to eighty three two five seven director at seven nine eight one eight operations
- manager at forty four six nine nine highway engineer eighty two seven sixty truck driver oh here we
- go one five eight three zero to forty five one four truck driver one five eight three one to forty five
- forty thousand five one four truck driver one five eight three two to forty thousand five one four truck
- driver one five eight three three to forty thousand five one four truck driver one five eight three
- five to forty two thousand one thirty
- Truck driver 15836 to 38,486. Truck driver 15837 to 40,514. Truck driver 15838 to 38,486. Truck driver
- 15839 to 40,514. Truck driver 15840 to 38,486. Truck driver 15841 to 40,514. Truck driver 15842 to 38,486.
- Truck driver 15844 to 38,486. Truck driver 15845 to 38,486.
- Light Equipment Operator 15847 to 42,744. Light Equipment Operator 15848 to 42,744. Equipment Operator
- 15849 to 43,946. Equipment Operator 15850 to 48,158. Equipment Operator 15852 to 42,245. Equipment Operator
- 15853 to 48,158. Equipment Operator 15854 to 42,245.
- Equipment Operator 15855 to 42,245. Equipment Operator 15856 to 43,946. Sign in 15857 to 42,744. Sign
- in 15858 to 41,091. Traffic Control Tech 15861 to 35,615. Traffic Control Tech 15862 to 35,615.
- self insurance to five seven five six five three FICA to one eight five two nine three perf to one eight
- two zero one two three two one seven five eight and increase account line three zero zero zero
- six contractual to one hundred forty three thousand five hundred fifty two dollars all right anything
- else to add to this michelle this is the seventy five percent
- from the lines that is in 1173. Got it. Okay, any questions from council on this item? Seeing none.
- All right, may we please have a roll call vote. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor
- Decker? Yes. Councilor Feidl? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Motion passes 5-0. Next up is G6.
- Council, I move to open budget 1197-0000 Stormwater Management and make the following amendments. Create
- the following account lines. Superintendent at 27,753, Director at 34,208, Operations Manager at 19,157,
- Highway Engineer at 14,605.
- and increase account line eighteen zero zero one self-insurance to eighteen six two five increase account
- line FICA to sixty eight thousand five oh five and increase account line perf to one twenty three four
- one seven okay um is there anything else to add to this um these are the administrative positions that
- can't be put into eleven seventy three so um
- Pardon? Going into 1197, right? So they put a portion of these positions into the stormwater. So to
- kind of relieve that fund 1176 again. All right. And is there any other questions or comments from council
- related to this item? Seeing none, may we please have a roll call vote?
- Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Crosley? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor
- Decker? Yes. Motion passes 5-0. Next up is G7. Council, I move to open budget 1000-0002 County General
- Auditor and make the following amendments. Increase the count line 10020 General Ledger and Grants Manager
- to $69,493.
- Reduce account line 10044 internal auditor to 60,653. Increase account line 18101 FICA to 70,782. Increase
- account line 18201 PERF to 129113. Second. Okay. Anything that adds to this item? So it was discovered that the
- The general ledger person, when it was first budgeted, should have been budgeted at the eight year.
- It was not, because there's been a personnel change. There's also been a personnel change with regards
- to the internal auditor. And so that has been lowered to the one year, because it is now at the minimum.
- So with those two amendments, that brings her budget to the current personnel. Okay.
- All right. And just looking at the auditor, did you have anything to add to that? Nope. Okay. Good.
- You got to get it. Okay. All right. Council. Does anybody have any questions or comments on this item?
- Seeing none. Maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor
- Feidl? Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Councilor Henry? Yes. Motion passes five zero.
- next up is item g8 council i move to open budget 1000-005 county general sheriff and make the following
- amendments reduce account line 30025 maintenance to one thousand dollars second okay anything to add
- to this yes um molly and i had miss turner king sorry had a meeting with uh chief deputy parker yesterday
- along with a couple of his uh
- people, we were talking over time. And during that conversation, this account line was mentioned. This
- particular account line is not utilized that much. This one is the one, so they don't mind to reduce
- it down to the $1,000. It's the maintenance line that's within the jail that they don't want touched.
- And you guys did not do anything with that. So they are happy.
- with reducing this down to $1,000. Okay, so thank you for that clarification, because last week, when
- we were going through our motions, it was determined then that the proposed motion was to zero out a
- line item. So this is not it? No, this is not it. And to confirm that particular item, they just want
- to leave it alone? Yes, and I will show it to you here in just a moment.
- It's this line right here, which is set at $50,000. It's a maintenance slash repair supplies. And it
- was set at $50,000 last year. And so that's what they're doing for this year as well. Okay. Thank you
- for that clarification. Council, do you have any questions or comments on this line item? I appreciate
- the reduction of that line item.
- All right, and seeing none, maybe please have a roll call vote. Councilor Henry? Yes. Councilor Feidl?
- Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Motion passes 5-0. All right,
- next up is G9. Council, I move to open Budget 1202-0000, Surveyor's Corner Perpetuation, and make the
- following amendments.
- Reduce account line 18-001 self-insurance to zero. Reduce account line 18-101 FICA to zero. Reduce account
- line 18-201 PERF to zero. Second. Okay. Ms. Schell, would you like to add anything to this item? The
- surveyor has recently attended a conference and per updated SBOA
- regulations and this kind of thing. It was discovered that benefits along with FICA and PERF cannot
- be taken out of the Corner Perpetuation Fund. So these items need to be reduced and then they're going
- to be moved to the General Fund, which are the next two motions. All right, Council, do you have any
- further discussion or questions on this item?
- I would just say I did have a chance to sit down with the surveyor on Friday on this issue, and it's
- one of the good catches. So I appreciate that, caught, reported, shared. I mean, it does bump things
- back up a little, but good accounting on his part. So just thanking the surveyor for the catch. Yes,
- thank you. All right. Without any other further discussion, may we please have a roll call vote? Councilor
- Feidl? Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes.
- Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor Deckard? Yes. Motion passes 5-0. Okay, next
- up is item G10. Council, I move to open budget 1000-0006, County General Surveyor, and make the following
- amendments. Increase the count line 18-101 FICA to 24,142. Increase the count line 18-201 PERF to 39,446.
- Okay. Michelle, what would you like to add to this item? This is just the FICA portion that's going
- to pay for the personnel that's in the surveyors corner. So we increased those two amounts to accommodate
- for that. Okay. Council, do you have any other questions or comments on this item?
- and I feel like Councillor Hawke is online too. Okay, all right, seeing none, may we please have a roll
- call vote? Okay, Councillor Henry?
- Councilor Hawk? Yes. Councilor Crosley? Yes. Councilor Iverson? Yes. Councilor Decker? Yes. Councilor
- Feidl? Yes. Motion passes 6-0. I see Ms. Turner and King has her hand up. As a reminder, if you're appearing
- virtually, you have to be visibly present. So Councilor Hawk would have to turn her camera on to vote.
- It's on. Yeah, it's on. I see her.
- Yeah. Visible on the screen. Oh, yeah. OK. There's a painting behind her that I see. OK. All right.
- Next up on the train is item G11. Council, I move to open budget one thousand dash zero three zero nine
- county general employee services and make the following amendment increase account line eighteen zero
- zero one self-insurance to seven million one hundred eighty five thousand
- seven hundred and fifty dollars all right michelle this is adding that portion of the coroner's perpetuation
- um personnel which is 0.75 personnel into that fund um in general fund okay council is there any other
- discussion on this item
- So can we please have a roll call vote? Councillor Crosley? Yes. Councillor Iverson? Yes. Councillor
- Decker? Yes. Councillor Feidl? Yes. Councillor Henry? Yes. Councillor Hock? Yes. Yes. Thank you. Motion
- passes six zero. Okay. Thank you. And that concludes the amendment.
- We got one more item before we end our time here with each other is council liaison updates and comments.
- And so I'm sure we got some, let's keep it brief. But I am going to look to councilor Hawk to see if
- she has anything since she's on virtually. And then I'm going to kind of go down the day as starting
- with councilor vital after councilor Hawk.
- No comments. Oh, okay. That was easy. All right, Councillor Fiddle. I think I've just been remiss in
- saying that we're inundated with the Sophia Travis Grant Committee work, and I've completed 34 of the
- 45 applications I saw come through, have 11 more to go, and we'll be having a meeting on Friday. That's
- been the big work.
- budget hearings, you know, just lots of budgets and committee meetings and liaison assignments. I've
- been trying to be there where I can, and I saw lots and lots of things. I hope to go to the ribbon cutting
- this week. So for Fullerton Pike, that's a big deal. I got late to the sunrise ribbon cutting. I was
- about 20 minutes late, and they were all gone, but it was great. I drove on it.
- I've been enjoying seeing what's happening in the county as relative county government and other things
- happening. All right. Thank you very much. Councilor Decker. I just other than budgets and budgets and
- more budgets also Sophia Travis grant work which thanks to Councilor Fido for reminding me I got to
- get Johnny on the spot on my stuff because it's a long week but
- It doesn't wait for anything. I do just wanna say there was a beautiful, since I can't remember the
- last time we met, but there's a wonderful Monroe County Fall Festival. Thanks to all the community over
- there that did it. And then looking forward to this weekend. 40 days, so nice to have good things to
- go to. On the line, Councilor Iverson. The first of my 40 items.
- No, I'm going to share one thing. The Substance Use Disorder Advisory Commission finally met last Wednesday,
- and we got a lot of things accomplished. The two things that stand out that I want to make the public
- aware of is that we are making headway on the 2026 Recovery Summit. So that's really exciting. Keep
- your eyes peeled out for
- The second thing is that the Substance Use Disorder Advisory Commission is going to be publishing the
- first ever Comprehensive Monroe County Treatment Report in June of 2026. This is going to be written
- by members from Centerstone, the Probation Department, the Indiana Recovery Alliance,
- And a whole bunch of others were really excited about this because a lot of treatment has been siloed.
- And so this is going to be a really great report that we can look at. And the last thing I'll mention
- is this Friday.
- Since this is recovery month is paint the town purple so come on out to the south side of the lawn and
- celebrate recovery. I'm going to be dressed in purple there's going to be a DJ there's going to be lots
- of games and it's always a packed house.
- But stick around, because this weekend is also Lotus Festival. So come for Paint the Town Purple. Stay
- for the Lotus Stage, which would be on the north side of the courthouse. So it's going to be a great
- weekend here in downtown Monroe County. Thank you, Madam President. Just a few notes. I forgot about
- Lotus Festival. Yeah, Lotus Festival is interesting for me, because it's always the anniversary of when
- My wife and I decided to move back from Washington here in Bloomerang to Bloomington. So it's something
- about this time of year and the music that always makes me get a warm fuzzy about coming back to my
- forever home. It is also National Preparedness Month. We have a lot of months with titles. National
- Preparedness Month has been recognized since September 11, 2001, where FEMA encourages folks to get
- prepared and think about their preparedness.
- It's not a bad time to check your fire alarms at home and just make sure you're in good shape. I want
- to thank the Perry Township trustee and his staff, Dan Combs, who have written, with the assistance
- of a local journalist, I think it was Stephen Higgs, on a kind of a report on their experience during
- the tornado in the spring.
- you know, hard copy, but it's being distributed around the county to different organizations. But it's
- a fascinating oral history of what happened and what we really need to do to continue to prepare for
- things. And I hope that there's a digital copy out there at some point to share with folks. But it's,
- I think, a great companion to the work that our Emergency Management Agency is doing to really compile
- the lessons learned we have from just how close
- Things could have been worse in our community, but they were worse for so many people that are on the
- end of our lifelines for transitional housing. Some of those stories are still enduring in terms of
- people trying to get back on their feet and some of the challenges there. It's six months on, but Dan
- and his team did a really great job with that report. It's worth a look at and getting up into digital spaces.
- I think lastly, I would just reflect on also just how wonderful it was to see Beacon break ground on
- their new facility today with Councillor Feidl.
- Councilor Iverson that were there and Commissioner Thomas. And with all, I think there was a comment
- made about positivity earlier about events in our community. That was a good positive event.
- It is so easy to, I think, look down our nose at people that are less fortunate in our community and
- to make noise online and be full of judgment without solutions. And to be at a place where so many people
- were working on solutions today and the energy that has gone into making that facility a reality
- It was heartwarming before this event today and I think really kind of steeled me a little bit for dealing
- with some incredible cynicism in our community about the state of affairs with the person's experience
- in homelessness and making it a political issue when it really is a human issue. And so thanks again
- for Beacon and the hard work and all the people who have put in hard work to get that place shovels
- in the ground and getting us on our way to solving some serious problems in our community. But thank
- you Madam President.
- Thank you, and I appreciate that, and thanks to all the hard work that's there. It's easy to make a
- comment on things that you're seeing, but it's also even better when you kind of come off, instead of
- being keyboard justice warriors and actually work with the folks at Beacon and other people that are
- trying to have solvable solutions instead of putting people out in their deepest, darkest moments. That's
- what I'll say to that. The other thing that I wanted to say is,
- I've been a lot into our community with a lot of different things. And yesterday, it brought me great
- pride to go talk to some students at Indiana University, while we still can, and have a really good
- civic conversation related to all the different things that are happening, and to get people open and
- engaged. And so as a result of that, there were a couple of students that were online via Teams, and
- one in particular that showed up in person. And it's interesting because in the conversation, they are
- very much eager and excited and want to be involved. They just don't know how. And I hope that any student
- that will watch this back, or the student, Kennedy, that was here earlier today, I just thank you all
- so much for really actually taking the task, what I had said yesterday in our conversation, and continuing
- to actually
- show up in community. And I would be remiss to say I wish when I was a student and I graduated from
- this institution 20 plus years ago, that I would have got involved so much more in our community. But
- I was so busy and so focused on trying to graduate and not go back home to the great city of Gary, Indiana.
- So Bloomington and Monroe County, y'all got me for a while. So yes, so I appreciate that. And then the
- New Marshall Black Cultural Center had a pin-in ceremony. And that was really interesting to see the
- first-year students be involved. And so it was nice to actually, again, be involved and engaged in the
- community that we serve. And I'll just say thank you to Dr. Gloria Howell for inviting me to be a part of that.
- The last thing that I will say is, speaking of positivity and a lot of work and solutions that will
- be done, I look to all seven of us, one that isn't here and the one that is virtual, Councilor Haug,
- to say thank you for the continued work. It is not easy. Again, as I mentioned before, this is the fourth
- budget, I believe, that I've gone through, and this by far is one of the hardest ones to date, and it
- sounds like we got some
- More harder days that will come ahead. But for the work that we have done so far, I just wanted to say
- to my colleagues, thank you. I also wanted to say thank you so much to the auditor's office, Ms. Turner-King
- and our council staff for working tirelessly, definitely tirelessly to show up
- smile when you don't really want to, and continue to keep coming to work and listening to all the things
- that we request of y'all. I know it's a lot, and this too shall pass, and I look forward to getting
- on the other side of this budget. So we still got some work to do, but the marathon continues.
- And with that being said, as I am so kindly reminded, thanks, hashtag Iverson. We are adjourned, thank you.