County Council - Regular Meeting

Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat.

Hey, hey, hey. meeting of the Decator County Council together. I'm going to ask Bill Matts here to lead us in the pledge.

I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Okay. Our November M minutes. I have a one change that I discussed employee pay and salary ordinance. The minutes say that the motion passed 6, but it looks to me like it was 51 actually because Ernie voted no.

Right here. Dang it. Okay. Thank you. You're right. Be right. Is that right, Ernie? Yes. Any other additions or corrections? With the correction, I'll entertain a motion to approve. So, move. I'll second it. Rick makes a motion. Bill seconds it. Any other discussion? All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay, we'll move on. Mr. McAdams.

Good morning. I brought just ask the council's permission and blessing to uh apply for a couple grants that county court services applied for. This grant was due December 1st, so we've already applied. Um, but we haven't been funded yet. Um, two grants, one in the amount of $7,000. That grant is to help upgrade some uh field equipment in our department. Um, pay for a laptop for our juvenile probation and prevention program and some drug screens. And then the other grant is for $800 uh to fund some items for our operation parent program that we're presenting in 2026. is going to buy some um books and other materials. Um this grant is through the Decar County Community Action Coalition grant.

Okay. Do I have any questions? The commissioners have signed off on it. So yeah, and I I presented it yesterday to the commissioners. Okay. Anybody have any questions about it? Entertain a motion to approve. I'll make that motion. Again, I makes a motion. I'll second. Ashley seconds. Any other discussion? All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay. Thank you,

sir. Okay, Sheriff Myrose, good morning.

It's going to be balmy today. I just want to warn everybody. Um, I emailed you yesterday, our commissary, as I said in the email, last legislative session, they changed the rules on us. No longer has to be prepared for you twice a year. It's now quarterly. So, this is July, August, September's report. Um, it's on a new form at the state board of accounts has approved also. I've actually given you both our Excel spreadsheet we normally use. It's a little more easy to read from my opinion. So anyway, there it is for your review. Doesn't require any action, just for your review. You have any questions what that brings to him?

It is. We're conservative with it, too. Yeah. Got 51,000 left. Is that what I'm reading? No, it's more than that. Is it more than that? I didn't know. You bought your you bought some guns and stuff. The current balance is 116,000 not including that taking that 40,000 out. Okay. That would be Yeah, it should be. Yes. It may be first quarter of next year depending on delivery of the guns. Do I have any questions?

I do have one question if I may. Had some conversation with Christy in her office. I just need some clarification. You've approved an additional objective for us for next year and are we going to pay them at the 25 base or 26 base? My opinion is my opinion is it's a additional hire. We're hiring in 26. I just need clarification on that. The intent was to keep the base at 2025. So as people get raises, we have some separation between the base rate and where people are that have been there for several years.

I understand the separation, but we also have longevity involved in ours as well. It creates that separation as well. I would like to pay with the 26 rate if you would agree. If not, I understand. How soon are you hiring them? Uh we anticipate midFebruary to first of March. Okay. I would propose that we hold on that decision because we're going to be talking about salary reviews later in this meeting. Thank you. Any further questions for me? All right. Thank you. Thanks, sir. Okay, Erica.

Good morning. Um, I am here. Um, I wanted to revisit an item I included in my budget, um, my presentation earlier this year. Um, I have a proposal to give $7,000 stipen to the parks and recck department, um, specifically Rob Dehoff or whoever the sports coordinator is, um, to have an incentive to make sure that he is booking our hotels for each tournament, both Friday and Saturday nights, as much as possible. So, um I know formally I need to kind of see if that's something we could do as a county. Um it would be coming out of the tourism budget and I was planning our board would like to make make it like three payments through the year to you know kind of have a little bit January mid year making sure that we're kind of meeting our um you know where we want our goals. Is there a measure that can be held accountable for then?

Yeah, we um we have software that can see how many nights are being filled. Currently, when there is a ball diamond tournament, about 25% of our rooms we think are coming from the ball diamond tournaments, but we think we could have a lot more than that. So, yeah, I'm surprised at that. I figured it'd be more than that. Yeah. Well, you know, we're like really big with weddings as well. There's a lot of weddings for the summer and that sort of thing. So, it's, you know, a little bit of both.

Did you say $7,000?

$7,000 stipen. it would be. We have a $12,000 grant that we give to parks and recreation. We've been doing $5,000. So, um we accounted for an extra $7,000 um thinking it could go towards this project specifically. Um you know, as an organization, we're trying to focus on the Ball Diamond tournaments, making sure they're successful. Um, our economic impact we have seen so far is about $400,000 of revenue generated from the ball diamond tournaments just at the hotels this year. Um, and that is a low ball estimate. We think it might be a little bit higher. So, thinking from that standpoint of what we could do working making sure those Friday nights are booked because our Saturday nights are usually booked. Um, and this was like the first year. Not to say that, you know, we weren't doing or he wasn't doing the best or anything, but like we want, you know, that emphasis on making sure that that's happening. It's a lot of working with the hotels and the the um softball diamond booking tournament people. You have to kind of be at the table with all of them, which we've been doing um this winter. So, it's been going very well, and I'd like to just make sure that's kept on the radar. It's it's a fairly, you know, normal thing. Um, as a it's a sales position. I know a lot of counties, uh, when I go to conferences, they talk about having either some type of incentive with tourism, um, to help, um, if they're not already getting, you know, commission or that sort of thing. So,

you you think that individual, put a name to it, can actually have an impact on people those hotel rooms.

Yes. Um there are strategies involved um like making sure that you have an early morning Saturday tournament from PE those people are coming from further away. So then they need to book their Friday night stays. Um I know it's there's a lot of logistics to it where like the portal the hotels can't always see where they're coming from specifically because it's like a third party. So they don't they might not know whether to do two queen beds or a king bed. Typically these people usually have families they need two queen beds. But sometimes it's hard to see the extra data, that sort of thing. Um we've been I I know Parks Rec's been doing great and working at the table saying let's be more transparent. Let's not go through the third party. Then you make more if you go directly through your website. That sort of thing. It's been very eye openening on what um the transparency that we can kind of open up with making sure we're working with everybody at the table like that.

So, how's this work? You enter a team and Rob will say, you know, we've got hotel rooms. I just don't understand how this all there is um from what so far what I've learned about three people who are kind of the sales guys who book the do the tournaments per tournament. So they're the ones making they kind of line up what teams like you know they they book through them for the tournaments and then they decide you know who's playing when that sort of thing. Does that make sense?

Do they distribute information about hotels like that? the hotels it technically honestly it goes through Expedia um from there um and that's why the third party it's harder to see it from um what I know so and they're they're wanting I know to work with the hotels to book directly you know just go to their website and then that's a higher income stream on you know the hotel side too

Chris this is your employee like what are your thoughts on this No, I mean I think an incentive based thing is good and I think it's pretty evident this year. Um I mean Erica, your budget this year was significantly higher than you know probably what it has been in the past just from inkeeper tax. Um, but I mean I think an incentive based thing is good and it's I mean I've been in those meetings as well. Um, and with uh with UTSA and they are on board to work directly with the hotels user group two hotels for higher income for both. So I think incentive base is a very very good thing um in this situation.

What's going to be your metrics for incentive? I mean that's a good use 40% 30%. What's you we would understand what I mean? Yeah. Yes. Um we I I think and we're we're not I the input is great but we were thinking like Friday nights seeing more of those being booked and having you know a measurable of like 20 to 25% more seeing something at least in that category and seeing if those measurables are being met. Um I think I we plan to have I think about double the tournaments we had last year. So you know it's g but it's also going to be a lot more being busier on making sure

eight diamonds instead of four.

Yeah. And more people coming in more um things to keep straight. So, it's kind of and the timing with this seeing I mean I will say that parks and wreck has exceeded our expectations on um making sure these bell diamonds have been turfed. You know, it looks so great out there. People want to come here. We have a lot of feedback, you know, from people out of the community saying it's somewhere they want to come even more so than other, you know, communities. And I know, you know, other communities are hurting a little bit because we have upped our game here um with our hotels. I know Columbus has seen a significant drop and we've had we've made so far just a little bit more money than usual, but our normal stays have been really low this year. Um, but this has the wedding concentrating on weddings this year, like we've been doing advertising for that and doing the ball diamond tournaments, it has kept us above where we usually are, which is really significant. So

here after a year yes theoretically. Yeah of course it would it would be something that we're monitoring and seeing if it's working of course. So I would like to see it on paper where we can sure your metrics. I mean bring back to us in January. Yes. Put it all together where we can Yes. I do a little reading and research. I'm kind of big on doing reading. I don't know about anybody else. You know do that. Yeah, you would. Yes. And do you just want me to come back January with that? Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Put it all on paper. Absolutely. New year. It's fine. Okay. Sounds good. My my suggestions I don't know with everybody. Yep. Okay. Sounds good.

If you pay the incentive, does that come back to the council to sure that the numbers have been met or is that a tourism board and park board decision on whether that metric had been met? Exactly. Uh we have a governing board with the budget so I think it would be a tourism. Um but I work closely with Chris. I mean we we almost on a daily basis talk about this sort of thing. So absolutely with council to know how it goes. Sure. All that. Are you like checking you would like me maybe to check in if this works out and just see maybe Yeah.

Sometime in July or August is where we're trending. And then we can all be thinking about how we can support it. If somebody says something about the community, we know what's going on with it. Okay. Yeah, that sounds good. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, Chris. Morning. Morning.

All right, so I am here for just a couple things. Um, first is um kind of to echo Erica just the um success we had at the complex this year. Um, you know, I'm going to request an additional part-time position. Um, food and beverage coordinator. You all should have the uh job description in front of you. Um it is fully funded by the complex so no you know additional funds are needed. Um but this will not just serve you know purpose at the complex you know we are picking up um concessions at um Pirate Park for um soccer club um you know and other avenues hopefully in the future that we can um use this as well. uh year round if this person worked 28 hours a week at $19 an hour, which is what I'm proposing, um this would come out to with FICA and everything just under um $30,000 a year with 52 weeks um in a year. Um I don't expect that to be a 52 week per year thing. I do expect it to be around a probably a 46 to 48 to be completely honest just with um prep for the next year because we are running tournaments starting in in March, first week of March. Um we've got 32 on the books for next year. Um and so I think this is really going to help us. we are lacking in some other areas um to where my recreation and sports coordinator, he is focusing so much on this area, I'm lacking in programming and revenue generation in that area. So, bringing this person in at, you know, a $30,000 cost, I think we can definitely

um make up the difference. Um there we did this year at the complex net net profit was um just over $112,000 on four diamonds. Next year we are looking at eight diamonds as well. Um so looking at having quite the traffic have two concession stands.

Two concession stands as well. Yep. Um yeah and that's hopefully going to be built. um they're they're had some hold up on it, but hopefully before the start of next season that second one will be up and running. Um so, uh just for just for reference as well, um concessions um net profit was just under $60,000. It's about 595 last year. Um and then, you know, diamond rental net was just a little over 38. So, like I said, we're looking at, you know, double that looking at next year projection wise. So, just asking, like I said, for your um approval on that um to add that position at, you know, about a $30,000 cost at 52 weeks, but I'm expecting kind of a 46 to 48, but I did put 52 just in case, you know, we do add some more programming where where that maybe is needed.

When do you need to hire them? Why do I need to hire them? when I'm looking um preferably by you know early to midFebruary. So we still have a little bit of time before you would post. Yeah, I'm looking to post hopefully in in January sometime or hopefully early January um to uh get that person hired, trained, and uh prepped for the season.

You having trouble getting any help? I mean to run the concessions and stuff? No, we we'll still have this is kind of a unique position because we will still have um supervisors on all shifts. Um and we do we had a great staff this year and they're you know all planning on returning next year. Um but this is more of a um admin leadership role that will also be there on weekends making sure we are providing the hospitality that I expect for the parks department. Um but we haven't had trouble getting help. We've got a lot of a lot of high school students and, you know, some teachers in the offseason, you know, off school that uh help and they they do a great job.

So, this is a full-time position. 28 hours. 28 hours. 28 hours. Okay. Iod else have any questions, concerns? I would like to hold on this one temporarily too, please. Do what? Until we get till we get done with the discussion about the salary review. Hold on it temporarily. Okay. Do something here in a little bit. Okay. Okay. Um quick question. Who handles the sponsorship?

Um so me and Rob have tag team a lot of the sponsorship stuff. Um together he's done a lot of the local businesses. Um some of the uh like the Indiana Sentinels, they're one of our uh biggest ones going into 2026. Um I already had a relationship with those guys um coming in. So um we've really built those relationships and tag team that sort of thing. There is Oh, there is. Yeah. And that's what So with four diamonds, you could only do so much. Now with eight, you do have more. And we are adding uh video boards out there, so there's room there as well um for additional income. So yeah, we're adding those opportunities.

Okay. Okay. else have any questions, concerns? Okay, second thing um I was here for um is at the beginning of the year with the um complex, no additional funds are needed, but I do need about $47,000 just added to the concessions line. Um just with the surplus that we had in concessions this year, I have the money. I don't need any more um just to get it back to where it needs to be. Um, and there should be a couple um, advertisements in there for you guys. I've got I've got your additionals here. Yep. We haven't went through those yet. So, okay. So, just at the end, that's Or do you want me to go ahead and go through those now? Got two of them. Yep.

Okay. We'll get down there. We'll Okay, go through them. Fair enough. Okay. Okay. Mike Schneider.

Morning. Morning. Morning.

Wanted to talk to you this morning about our digital traffic signs, which is probably one of our probably our most used resource that the emergency management office has. And there is a service fee to that that allows us to remotely program and track the sign, also monitor it for any type of damage that may have occurred to it. It also uh has a premier warranty on it and a care plan. and I did not get notified until after budget time that this was a renewal that was coming up for the end of January. Um the amount for that typically runs at $950 per unit and we have four of the units. Two of them are pull behind in like a trailer style and two of them are standalone units, kind of like standing up like a flagpole. And if we renew them at that rate for one year, it's $3,800. But the company is offering us a discount at a rate of 10% for a two-year renewal and a rate of 15% for a three-year renewal. If we do the three-year renewal, that would bring the cost to $9,690. I have in my budget available close to 50% of that, which would require transfers. Uh, but the other remaining portion of that is what I wanted to address the council about today to see if we could get that for the office. Example of that was yesterday's accident on 421. We utilized those signs remotely programmed those which was nice with the

cold and to get those deployed out in a quicker fashion. So they are extremely handy but uh I was not aware of this renewal prior to budget time.

Do you know how old they are and what they're like? So, I do know that somewhere around the COVID time that the health department received a grant to purchase those with and gave those to emergency management to uh manage those and utilize those. And I don't know the exact point where they were purchased though, but I do know the lifespan. Uh Gary and myself have been pretty good at maintaining the battery which is the biggest concern for me. Uh the batteries uh are lithium based. Uh we have had to top them off with some uh distilled water but other than that they've seem to do pretty good. The company provides us a software and we also with this extending this service allows us to continue to reuse the uh online website to program them essentially from the cloud. So that way we could also shut it down from the cloud. We could program them, monitor them if they're tracked. I know some other agencies across the state have had issues with people uh moving them or stealing them. And that would allow us to track the sign too for security purposes.

Yes. If uh that is coming from pretty much all across my budget. If I can transfer all that into one spot to pay for this, then I would

uh I have pulled it from supplies and services and capital outlays. Whatever I was looking here at the end of the year to whatever he has at the end of the year goes back into cash and county general anyway because he's a county general. Right. Well, I haven't zero I I've took taken them down very low Yes. Yes. Yes. 2025 budget. Yes. This year it would be Yes. So that I could No, thank you. kicked back into county general anyway, right? Yeah. But uh

well, we've got money still out there be advertised and approved next month. Correct. Yeah. Am I right, Christie? ARPA money. Is there ARPA money left? It's not technically ARPA money or interest money, right? And it can just be directly paid out of there too. That way you wouldn't have to advertise and move and payirectly. That's our money. So you don't pay it all or pay half.

Well, I guess I just need to ask you, Mike. I mean, what do you you are going to need the money for the end of the year? If not, you okay doing that? Pay the half. If you are, we can pay it all. you want with the accounts that I have drawn the money from. I still have a tiny amount amount in there. So if something else did come up, I could pull together and consolidate. Right. Right.

Approximately 4700. Kenny makes a motion or any seconds to pay the balance. Any other questions out of ARPA interest money? Any other concerns, questions? Okay. All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay. And that would require to for the uh the transfers to get out of my current budget for you to approve those transfers as well. That'll have to be done next month. No, they're in Are they in there now? Okay. Good enough. earlier this month. We're good. Thank you. Hey Mike, just for the future. Um today, so we're good for three years now. Yes.

So, but we're going to need another three years at some point probably. Um as I look at the usage sheet you gave us, looks like solid waste use them. Maybe the sheriff's department uses them from time to time. Health Department fall festival cheer fund. Bill, is there any opportunities to help fund the upkeep of one of these signs every three years or something and maybe the health department do it because they're the ones that use them or do we just fun them through a future EMA?

I think I think the health department he went to them. Mike's ran all over town. Him and Gary trying to get money to do this with because they called and emailed me about it and I told him to come here. I said tiff boards came to the plate and went to the was going to go to community foundation and everything else and I said this is county thing but uh I just think you need to keep an eye on but I don't think the board of health will have anything to do with them now. Okay, that's just my opinion. But they do use them. Okay, that's my point. they they use them and the and the fair use they're really a great asset.

Yeah. So if the if the fair committee has funding maybe or if solid waste has extra funding in the future could we look at that as a resource because we won't have ARPA money then I'm assuming or interest. Okay. All right. But that well and as far as a fair goes, I mean it wouldn't be too bad in 26 to put it in your budget. Maybe a non or what do you call non-reverting fund or something that stays in there? What do you call that? If they can, if you can.

What I was thinking is it's so useful. We probably need to find out what the life plan is and be prepared to budget for replacement in the future as well. Just like you would a generator or anything. Yeah. Yeah. because they they are a great county asset. I think really are. Okay.

Yes, they do. It will get partial warranty.

As long as be a long time. Well, then just keep going because they will repair this. Yeah. I do know if it's like anything else after it gets so old though, they say, "Yeah, we going to have parts now." I know how that operates. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Mike. Okay, Mr. Na'vi. Good morning. Good morning. Morning.

Morning. I put together a packet uh should all have in front of you. I also had a few papers that I only have one copy of um those are really just for reference to back up some of the pages that are in the packet. Uh I we went ahead and included u for your viewing. Yeah, you can see the layout uh of the pool. There's also a sheet that's in there that Erica put together of our findings uh that says Allen Memorial Aquatic Center at the top. Uh that just kind of shows what we'd be looking at admission revenue, attendance, concession profits, uh labor, um and kind of gives us our our balance of what our expectations would be. Um we also included the sports complex uh sheet in there as well that Chris just gave you most of those numbers on. So it's in the back if you want to see that as a visual as well. Uh, as far as the pool goes, I'm here. Um, we are looking at a $4 million total cost. Um, we are budgeting 4 and a.5 million to cover anything additional because, as you know, projects tend to have uh some things that are unseen. So, we are budgeting four and a half uh uh total. Uh, right now, we currently have a million dollars in funds from the Decar County Community Foundation. Um they haven't officially announced yet, but we believe there may be a $300,000 match coming as well. So they will match up to 300,000. Um we've had 40,000 in donations in the last two weeks. Uh and people aren't even aware of the match that is is potentially happening. So the total expectation trying to be conservative total is around 1.5 million raised um with hopefully the the donations continuing going forward. uh we are working with another group and we are currently anticipating a million dollars. So that puts us roughly at our expectation is about 2.5 million raised. So out of this project that puts us at 2

million short currently. Um we are continuing to meet with um corporate sponsors and other private groups that or public groups that uh we are trying to raise money from as well. But currently, just knowing that we're $2 million short, we want to continue the project and not let it uh postpone. So, my ask is for if we could do $2 million um approval up up to to allow us to continue the project going forward. Um we do like again, we have several meetings scheduled this week. Um we have some high expectations that some of those folks are are going to be donating as well. So, I will continually keep you updated. about the pool. As you see in the layout, um we have put together a four flume slide. There's also a picture of that in what Deanna is looking through. Um there's a 6' 8t, 10ft, and 12ft tall slide. So it has four individuals. Uh with it, a family slide and a 30x30 splash pad. Um, we're looking to do a new 8-ft vinyl coated fence all the way around 750 ft. A UV steriliz sterilization system that is a added layer of protection to the pool. So instead of just traditional chlor, we're going to continue to do the traditional chlorine, but on top of that, there's a UV sterilization process that further removes almost all the bacteria in the pool. So it makes it a much cleaner and safer environment for everyone. Um there's a new 20x 50 pump house on that map or on that layout you see in the back. U we kind of strategically put that there. Uh it helps for the surge pit in the draining but also allows us to put a garage door on the back to uh better access chemicals and maintenance of all the system. There is a zero entry on the pool. So fully ADA compliant. It f we're taking where the deep end is currently and then fanning uh that out towards the pool house. um looking to move concessions to the east

side of the building. So that would be towards uh where the zero entry is. We did scoot the pool back though away from the building so that we made sure that there was ample room. Um, also by moving the concessions to that area, it allows us to not have congestion from people coming into the pool and going to where concessions are currently, but also it keeps the children away from the exit um by positioning them in where the splash pad is up in the northeast corner. Uh, and concessions zero entry right there. It's it's hopefully going to be able to keep them contained. Um, we're going to do minor changes to the pool house. Just some of the plumbing fixtures. The tile in the pool house is all in great shape. Um, paint wise, it's it's in pretty good shape. Just needs cleaned up. Uh, little bit of locker work. I mean, there's some little bit of rust, but nothing that just can't be, you know, corrected and painted. Um, we do have future plans of doing sun shading, um, and fence lining just for extra protection. And this is a liner pool. Um, we did not want to do a gunnite shot pool because they have to be refurbished about every five years. So that would drastically drive our maintenance cost up. So we elected to do a liner pool. Um, and our expectation is is they say guarantee 15, but 15 to 20 years out of the liners before it needs to be replaced. Um, anything else? I went through most of what I had, but there's uh again, if you have any questions about the maintenance of the pool, I have Jody Binger here with us. Uh as far as any complex questions, you know, Chris can answer those. Uh Erica did a lot of the work uh for this aquatic center document and I can answer any layout questions.

Yeah. So, I don't have that exactly. Our current bather load is 450 people. Um the expectation is that we are going to be there or more. Um bather load does not is not determined by the size of the pool. Bather load is determined by the size of accessible concrete at the location. So adding the splash pad cuts down on the bather load. But as you can see in the document, so this currently right here has been squared off where it currently has an inset. So we are adding that concrete portion. Also right here is where the current pump house is. This comes in and goes really narrow and we've squared that off as well. So the whole intentions I believe we're increasing the deck space which is going to keep us at or above the current bather load.

Yeah. I'm going with experience. I can add them up for you. But these estimated numbers are based on how many days correct? Yes. And we do you remember we we did that uh there's a I don't know if that labor sheet that's floating around shows that. But yes, we added up the total amount of days that was going to be open. It's reflected in the labor sheet as a total cost of labor. Well, there's it's memorial to labor is what we based it upon, but I don't know what exactly that number resulted in, but it is factored into that labor sheet. Last sheet I got on was like 75 days. Am I pretty close? I think that's about right. Yeah, was 75 days. Yeah. I just don't want to say a wrong number.

That's Well, that's that's the last last number I seen. August. Yeah, there was that there was that factor too. As school as soon as school goes back in, I think the it closed during those during the week those weeks. So then it was just open on the weekend. And so that affected some of the days. So but again in that labor sheet the total cost of labor that is factored it's based on that

well I mean

so well to that um So these numbers aren't just factored off us just using metrics and data that we created. Um we surveyed and referenced other pools that are our size with a community of our size because that plays a big role. We needed we for the maintenance of the pool um we definitely referenced pools that were our size and for the maintenance we tried to have both factors or I'm sorry for the uh concessions profit and the labor perspective we tried to have pools that were both our community size and our physical size. So this isn't just us adding up numbers and thinking about what it's going to cost. This is actually us talking to other um pools, city pools, uh community pools, and and gathering their data and then compiling it with what we with what we have.

Did any of those communities that you surveyed have an attraction right next door that was bringing in lots of people on weekends?

There was North Vernon should There's one city like with the ball diamonds bringing in so many people from out of community. Did any of them have any experience with that?

Would you would you do me a favor if you're going to talk? I've got people griping at me because I can't hear you at home. I'm sorry. That makes sense. Yesterday there was a microphone issue that got resolved this morning. Okay. We make sure. But it's I just I just I've got people, you know. I do. You want me to repeat? So, it's in I don't Okay.

Okay. that um but there I I don't know that there's specifically ball diamonds uh every you know all these parks I only I would say that that means that there will be more people um coming based on the ball diamonds you know what I mean like this data is conservative in general um just showing uh because we do have more facilities with the parks um you know even the fairgrounds all the other things that are there are not you know completely specific to these other communities. So, um I you're going to have a higher amount. I I the data that we had ahead of time with the ball diamonds um were conservative as well and as you guys know like it's been much better. Um so it's kind of helpful and this is just the baseline of what you know the data would be. So

yeah and I think I understand what you're asking too like when we surveyed the data did they have an attraction like that which impacted their numbers to make them higher as we surveyed them? No, I don't not that I've referenced. I don't believe that any of them had an attraction as large of ours next to it. So, when we based these numbers, we based them off of again their data plus ours, but we did not include the complex impact. Um, we wanted to keep that so that we were conservative. Um, but we expect that the complex impact especially, I think we're anticipating 350 to 400,000 people to visit that next year. I do believe that will directly impact this. That would be one of my comments to make sure that you know with whatever our load is we have a way to monitor that to capacity.

Yep. Yep. It's it's absolutely possible. The one thing is is depends on you know in our data that we monitored we see that people typically spend around six hours at a pool. So uh during our placer data uh we found that a little over 4,000 people left the county to go to other pools. um and their stay averaged about six hours. I don't know if that'll be the case with the complex folks as you know, constantly games are changing and and things are happening. So, we may see a higher turn rate with with those folks um versus the regular community members. Let's hope it's maxed out. That's what we want is for it to be maxed out. colorful

the other I mean, yeah, we don't really have a a ton of room to expand for sure, but there is uh still more room um to the south. Um and there's also more room to the east up against the skate park. So, if for some reason we needed to expand the concrete to increase the bather load, we could. And there will be a way to track it as as we bring people through admissions. I know we have a lot of people that go to Shelby County and the first advice Shelby County gave me was make it bigger because we have to turn people away all the time.

Yeah. And I I hope that you know obviously with us not having a pool I think that's impacted some of the communities around us and and if if we can bring one back hopefully that'll give them relief and get them here. So yes, I we have made sure that uh if there was no income that they could uh take on the cost of the maintenance of the pool this year. Um the expectation is yes, they they could have they could take that facilitate those costs. Um they're fully aware and been in uh been in these conversations. Uh Brian is is on our committee with us. So that's park board president. Chris is on it as well. Uh we have Jody Benager, Eric Gun, Jenny Hannah, and Tammy Winning. Uh so we've tried to make sure that they're all queued in and everybody is under the understandings. Yep.

Any other questions? I have one more question. So commissioners, you guys have all looked at this, reviewed it, signed off on it, voted proceed forward.

Yeah. So, we we selected the BOT operator. Um uh there is some current work out there being done. The current work that is being done is deconstruction. Um the deconstruction had to happen regardless. Um no matter if the pool went to a parking lot or went to a new pool, this work had to be done. Um there was a benefit of getting in there before it got extremely cold. So, that's what they did. um they got in there and were able to get some equipment placed and do a little bit of preliminary work um to try to prevent freezing in the deep end. Um and so that that's really all that's being done right now until we have the fully green lit on funds, right? Nobody in support or

you in support of the pool? going well that's what I'm I would really like to get Ruben involved to go over things with us. I apologize.

One thing I didn't mention is so I worked with Greg Marts when we developed the BO. Uh we were on the phone the other day just having a quick discussion and I asked him about what loans currently are because we asked him with the community building as well. just something, you know, it's nice to follow. 3.98, his anticipation was that that would be lower by the time a loan would be taken. Said it's just continuing to fall. So, that was good news because the last thing I had heard was 5.5 or six. So, it's good to see that that's going down if that was an avenue that you guys all chose.

I would just like to get Ruben involved in and as an adviser on the deal just because what's coming in 2027, you know what I mean? as much. I mean, edit's going away and public safety's going away and absolutely other things are going away, but you know, with the numbers and things, I could uh he'll have some have him here at the next month meeting in January because you're I mean, you're right now you're all right. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. You know, if that's okay, if that okay with everybody. I mean, I'd like to get some advice on what direction to go. Yeah, I think on which direction. Cuz if you get a loan and they want to bond, it has to be attached to something. Sure.

Can't be not just a bond floating around out there. Repay or something. Do what? It has to get repaid some, right? Has to get repaid. And and I talked to Ruben. He said there's a couple different ways of doing it. Okay. If it's okay. And I'll contact him again and have him try to get him information and any other information you've got. Why? Yeah. To me. So,

we'll continue to pass that along. I mean, in part of the deconstruction, as part of the investigative phase, too, still, right? I mean, we've uh just as you'll see, and I I think you may have the checklist, but you know, we we did do core samples of the bottom of the pool and the walls of the pool to check for asbesus. Um we did all that prior. Um we didn't want to find anything any surprises once we were in construction. So, um we've already core drilled all those, took the samples, checked all that. Um, again, part of this deconstruction is part of the investigative phase, making sure that there's no big huge washouts or or issues that, you know, are unforeseen. So, right now, there has hasn't been any in anything they've done so far. So, everything still looks good. Okay. I'll jump on the agenda for January. Okay. Thanks.

Thank you. I'll speak to you as a question.

Have you done Commission B. Yes.

Okay, let's move on to transfers. I see there's a lot of them going for the hell normal anymore.

The only one I've got a comment on is one in here for $700. Abby showed it to me a minute ago. Yeah, I'm still okay. Right here. Back page

to cover the supply purchase for the Clarksburg rat problem coming out of the commissioner's fairgrounds account. I'm just wondering is there any plan put together to pay for the rest of this or is that up to us to put a plan together because we're looking at5 to $7,000 that the county has to spend on rat eradication out there in Clarksburg. I just didn't want to fly by the seat of our pants and start transferring money out of this account and that account to to cover what's going on. Does that make sense? I don't know if I help to that, but I mean, yeah, we have funds that I think there's still some money in PNI and uh that could be used if we had to. Um

we just had to transfer. They do have they have a supplies line. They have um other lines that can be paid next year. It's just with this being the very end of the year, we had to move move some things around. But can they do they need to have a rat or rat killing line item in their in their budget? I mean, is there I mean, instead instead of instead of Why do you got to make it? Why do you have to make me laugh when I'm up here? I mean, well, you need a rat killing budget. I mean, I don't know. So, I'm going by, you know, that it's telling us the county has falls on the county,

but it's not. So, the health department wouldn't do it. It would be the county put Yeah. I I got to say in my first year this isn't something that I anticipated was going to to come up. I don't think nobody did. We didn't either. We never just So I I do think obviously going forward as we didn't even dawn on me that this would be something that would happen. So, um I think it would be important that we had some kind of line maybe why maybe words or chose probably is something that we should maybe think about setting aside if you guys because I mean we can always you know find you know a little bit here and there but yeah know but I mean it has to be transferred

right if there's something put together Christie can I mean you understand what I mean we can do right I mean we could do a pest control or um some type of um broad line like that we could move it into. That'll be one of those line items that we'll look at every year in the budget. Why we still have Yeah, exactly. We might need it. Put a dollar in there. Leave it open. Rat line sheep line. Just a question I had. I mean, that's Anybody else have anything on there they see? It's just kind of your typical end of the year deal. I make a motion we approve the transfer. Makes a motion to approve the transfers.

I'll second. Ashley seconds. Any other discussion? All those in favor? I. Any opposed? Okay, we've got two additionals. Both of them for the parks department. One for $47,000 for complex concessions and the other one for $111,3192 for building and structure line item. You say all this is in your budget? Yeah, we don't need Oh, you've got the money? Yeah. Yeah. Okay.

Can he makes motion both of them? Yeah. Kenny makes a motion to approve. I'll second both additionals. Bill seconds. Any other questions? All those in favor? I. Any oppose coming your way. See where that go. Okay. Okay. Salary ordinance. While they're signing those, everybody get their email on the salary ordinance.

Yes. How they wanted to do it instead of putting names down. Everybody understand that? One additional thing um to make it easier. I think that we should include on this that anyone coming in as a new employee will start at the base rate from 2025 and not at the rate that is listed for the 2026 salary for the current employee. Does that make sense? Yep. Everybody understand that? Right. Yes. Okay.

And then how often are the bases being revisited? When we first did the salary study with Wagner, Irwin, and Sheileely, we proposed that three years would be the appropriate time to review to make sure we were staying current. Okay. The first ordinance is the one that they want to use where it's just got the elected official and description of their jobs, which in any change comes across, they still have to bring it to us. Correct. For references. Yeah. these makes it easier on the on the on the

still bringing like if an employee is wanting somebody's wanting to give them a raise or they change position positions

that's still coming to you not changing positions I'm sorry if an employee wants a raise to give an employee to raise um but the way it's been now the way it is is if somebody gets an incentive or if somebody moves every little thing we have to bring it to you since that name's attached this way. It's it's unattaching that name and it's just position and rate, which that's how when we go to conferences, that's how the majority of other counties do it and how it's kind of recommended to where it's not having to come every every single meeting. But we will still give you updates, you know, quarterly possibly with with the names just so you can stay up to date on where people

could we add column that has the 2025 base for each position just for reference here. I understand that. Okay, we want to go with seller ordinance number one. Sounds like the best option. Okay,

I'll make the motion to approve. Ashley makes a motion to approve. Second. Seconds. Any other questions, concerns? All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Another signature. Okay. Ashley, you want to go ahead? I was going to say board appointments are not on the topic, but we do need to

Okay. Yeah. Everybody I talked to um said it'd stay on. I never called mine, but I'm not letting her off. Tiff board was I called mine, but Danny had called him already. Sorry. No, no, I'm not saying I'm just saying uh TIFF board, you need this to go down the line. I think Matt Miller said he'd stay on. I said I'd stay on if it's legal to stay on. Got to figure that out. Yeah. Did you ever figure that out? I don't know. Individually. And then um

Mr. or Yeah. Russell Wilson, he said he'd stay on the park board. That's okay. We need to do votes on all of them. Copy them.

Okay. Chris Tabby said he would continue to be our county lawyer. Uh, we don't have anybody on the health board, hospital board. Russell Wilson, that's okay. He'll stay on as on the park and wreck. Uh, Jennifer Johnson, did the uh, assess her talk to her? I'm not aware she did her. Okay. Yeah.

Are you going to make one motion at the end to approve all these? Okay. I guess we'll just leave her on. She said she'd talk to her about it. Kenny Hootton on the old waist. You'll stay on. Kenny, there she is. I'm chairman of the board. I'll probably stay on.

We're going to approve her anyway. Tell her she's on. can't get off. Thank you.

Nothing there. Rick Naui, Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning. Sure. Is that okay? Anything going on there? Tiff board. Danny Peters and Matt Miller. Matt said he'd stay on for sure. Rayon, the only one we got left here. Billy, did you talk to Rayon? Did you talk to Rayon? Yeah. No, she's gone. She's staying on. She's still alive. Well, by position on those two. You're endangered until death. That's right. Oh my god. Okay.

Told me that last time. Long as you can walk in a deeper might not last longer. I don't think we have. I think that covers it. Yep. Okay, I'll make a motion to approve all those people for board appointments. I'll second that. I'll You made it. Who made it? Kenny made it. I said I'll accept my Kenny. Kenny and Ernie. Kenny makes Who made it?

Kenny. Kenny made it. Ernie second. Got it. Any other discussion? All those in favor? I.

Any oppose? Okay. Uh Ashley. Yes. Okay. So, we've been having a lot of discussion in most meetings about position changes or salary changes or stipens or things like that. We already have a personnel and salary committee in place, which is two members of council, me and Danny, one commissioner Gabe, human resources Patty, and auditor's office Christie. I would like to propose that moving forward, we have a policy in place, and it's in your folder, where if there is a request being made for a new position, an employment status change from part-time to full-time or vice versa, any salary changes or new hires that they give the salary and personnel committee one month's notice. There's a list of documentation that is required for the justification. If the committee receives that, they will gather before the next commissioners and council meeting to research the request, look at pay bands, history, all of that. Come together for a recommendation that they will then give the commissioners and council instead of all of us having to try and remember up here in a fivem minute period what's the right thing to do. I'm hoping that if we do it this way, it will increase consistency. It doesn't take your decision-making power away. It just has the research done beforehand so you can be better informed before we vote. Thoughts?

I think it's a good idea. Gives you a little time. Y discuss it. Yeah. Come with a recommendation time. I think that if that is truly an emergency and an exception to the rule that the committee could get together and make that exception, but I don't want it become to become the norm either. So, but it would still go through the committee process.

Correct. Yes. would just be sooner then. Yeah. Yeah. I think it would help. Yeah. To be in the minutes. Kenny makes a motion. I'll second it. Bill seconds. Any other questions, discussion? Okay. All those in favor? I. Any oppose? Okay. So, for the two that were brought up today, the additional deputy and then the part-time concessions, do you want those two run through this committee?

Are you asking the president or everybody? I I would say through the committee. Okay. And just we'll start now. You'd have time to do that before our next meeting. Yeah. Yeah. I give you time to hire somebody.

Okay.

Okay. Doug, why don't you tell us about comp plan coming up in January so everybody can hear it. We do have we do have a few people listen to us and watch us, believe it or not. So um we uh we had our first steering committee um on u Tuesday and uh there was um a lot of good discussion amongst all the members. I feel like we have a good group. Um so the the purpose of that meeting was basically to preview uh and lay down the the logistics of the future meetings and how they look. So January is going to be very busy. um with focus groups um and those will be advertised and we'll get those out whether it be on social media uh regular radio uh newspaper um I would say the consensus um from the meeting was we we have a good comprehensive plan in place and it has lent us well but things change it's been almost 10 years since that plan was put together and it's you you know, it's now time to to take a look, review, and and move forward with what the new uh challenges are for our our county moving forward. So, um HWC is the engineering firm that's running the meetings, and I felt like they did a really good job of of uh directing us through that meeting and then putting a plan together um for the future meetings. So, so keep your eye and ears out for January for the focus groups. Um we're looking middle January for the first focus group um meetings uh for the where we collect the the public input on how they view Decar County and how it looks 10 years from now, 15 years from now, 20 years from now. So

So like I said, we're we're we're wanting the public's input. Uh and that's that's how we get the best plan, comprehensive plan, is is by getting the most public input. I think it's like January the 15th. Yeah. Correct. Yep. And really every tell everybody, you know, they really need to really need to get involved in this. Yeah. We'll we'll collect all the data that we have as far as emails for pertinent people, but we're going to get the word out, like I said, from from a social media standpoint. That that tends to be the best way to get to get the word out. You won't get it out to me that way. We keep going. We we'll we'll use those other uh archaic ways of communication as well. Yeah. So,

thank you. All right. Thank you. Keep things moving forward. Ron, you got anything for us? Yeah, if you would. I got I got I got to see public. Oh, Bill. Really? Because I'm talking. Jeez. He's you. I've insulted him already and I just be a little late.

No, good. Um, actually St. Paul is having uh their comprehensive uh plan input session from 5:30 to 6:30 uh tonight uh for those in the St. Paul area uh asked to to go over there and take part in that. It's the same similar HWC is handling that as well. It's going to be the same input and um um they need all the input they can get there at St. Paul. So, uh, big announcements in the last month or so, the largest being the the expansion of, uh, Shepard Boy Farms, um, in the American Lift building here in Greensburg. They are also retaining their site in New Point. It's a great example of, uh, local entrepreneur that's, uh, business has really taken off and we're so happy to have him in not only just stay in Decar County, but, uh, utilize one of a building that's been vacant uh, ever since I moved back. So, um, he's doing great things over there and just really happy for him and, uh, means an investment about $50 million and 50 jobs. So, appreciate his expansion in the in the the county. And then I'll say, like I said with the the commissioners, uh, we're learning more from the state as far as how they're going to be handling the IEDC moving forward. Um it looks like they're leaning more towards a regional approach. Uh kind of dismaling the the state IEDC as people know it and moving it more towards almost like a consulting or a strategic kind of uh strategic planning organization and um taking a lot of the incentive control and and those types of resource tools and possibly putting them into more regional uh control. Uh we're lucky that we have an RDA already formed and we've done projects together through the ready program. Um that is going to be an advantage for us. Again, these things are still uh playing out um and more to come on that, but there is a chance that uh the RDA is going to be playing a

larger role in economic development uh in traditional economic development in in our area. So uh it's great to have that structure uh up and running. So, we'll see how everything plays out. Thank you. Don, you have anything for us?

Good morning. Um, we are finishing out our 2025 calendar with a small event tonight at the TAP leaders and loggers. It's a mix and mingle networking event. Um, we will be taking donations on behalf of Spironza House. So any kind of paper goods, um, toilet paper, paper towel, feminine hygiene products, um, we will take those there tonight from 4 to 6:00 p.m. There will also be a representative from Sparansza House um, give just a short quick update, not a formal presentation, but um, just so that you know where those donations are going and what the need is there. So if you can join us from 4 to 6, that would be fantastic. There is no cover charge to go. Um just a cash bar option if you wish to partake in that. And then looking ahead to 2026, our ag day breakfast is Saturday, February the 7th. That will be a ticketed event. Um registrations for that will be welcome online at greensburgchamber.com. We do have our speakers lined up and we will be announcing those um shortly. Um watch our social media again for that. Danny, I'll email you directly um so you can get that information. That will be Saturday, February 7th from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. and it will be held again at the Red Barn at Next Generation. And then go ahead and mark your calendars. I'll send you all formal um calendar invites for this as well. But Friday, February the 20th from 11:30 to 1 will be the legislative update for Decar County. So, we will have Senator Lysing, Representatives Meltzer, Zimmerman, and Patterson with us. They have all committed. Um, again, that's Friday, uh, February the 20th from 11:30 to 1. That will be free and open to the public, and we will look for, um, support in helping us provide a light lunchon for everybody. Do you have any questions for me?

Thank you. Okay. Anybody else have anything for us? We're supposed to elect officers. We're gonna have elect officers if nobody else has anything. I'll just introduce myself.

Thank you, ma'am.

Just want to provide a reminder. I sent you guys an email about the legislative conference January 27th and 28th. Um, should be a good year. understanding on SB1. I was on a board meeting for the Association of Indiana Counties uh last week and they said that we will be getting contacted. I didn't catch if it was by DGF, but they were going to go county by county and have meetings with us to show us what the impact of SB1 will be. I think they said that 21 counties would not reach their budgets even if they maxed out to the 1.2% but most of the other counties they did not But um most of the other counties would be okay. So we will be getting a lot more information on that.

Okay. And anybody that's didn't sign up to go to that really needs to go. It's aformational. The 28th is a day I usually go and that's the good day. Yeah. The the 27th is more of a kind of intro with some stuff and then our our council meeting which I'll be leading as president will be on the 28th. Go ahead.

If anything I just want to give an update on I'd like to say thank you to Todd, council, commissioners, whoever was was involved in setting up the cheer fund opportunity to go through the new highway garage to do the distribution. Um I've worked with traffic the Optimus Club over the last seven, eight years and we've always had to line them up behind the old extension and stuff like that, but with the long road and the floor heat and the heat in the place and everything, it just on a very cold day that worked tremendous. So, thanks for It worked out really well.

Okay, if nothing else, Christie, take it over. All right, we are needing to elect the 2026 council president. We'll take a hand or if anybody has a recommendation, do that now.

Anyone else? Okay. Can we get a second? And then we'll go down with the hand with the hand vote. Um Kenny, yeah. Ernie, yes. Deanna, yes. Bill is not here. Ashley, yes. And Rick, yes. Okay. Danny, are you accept the 2026 president? Yeah. He says with enthusiasm. Oh, it's kind of enjoyable. Okay, Danny, it is.

Can I nominate somebody's vice pre vice president? Oh, vice president. Okay. I didn't even I I didn't have that on my list to do, but yes. Okay. So, vice president Billy for the council. Um, does anybody make a motion? If I can, I will. Bill Match. Okay. And we will go back down the line. Kenny, yes. Ernie, yes. Deanna, yes. Danny, yeah. Okay. Rick, yes. Ashley, yes. All right. So, Bill Mets, it is for vice president for 2026. Anybody else have anything for us before we

make a motion we Well, everybody, before we do that, everybody have a merry Christmas. Absolutely. Please have a great Christmas. Be a long and happy new year. Okay. Now, Kenny made a motion to adjourn. Ernie seconds it. All those in favor? Any oppose? Okay. What's going on?