County Council - Regular Meeting

Okay, we'll call this session of the Calp County Council in order. Today's date is Wednesday, December 10th, 2025. And we'll begin with an opening prayer by Amy Proer.

Thank you. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, um we just come before you this morning to thank you for your goodness and your grace. And Lord, we um just thank you for what an amazing year you've given us and the uh just the wisdom that you've given us and um your your ability that you've given to us to help us work through and uh the all of the issues for Decal County. We thank you, Lord, and we ask as we go into the next coming year that you would continue to give us wisdom. Lord, I think about the Collins family this morning, Lord, and I ask that um you would just be with them in this time of loss. And um we just pray that you would give us wisdom for another day in Jesus name. Amen.

Amen. If you stand please for the pledge to the flag of the stands one nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Thank you.

Okay. Um, the council, have you completed your nepotism forms? They're on there. If you would please complete those and then give them to Susan, please. Okay, moving on to the minutes. Everybody's had a chance to take a look at the minutes from the November 12th meeting. Are there any additions or corrections? Hearing none, we'll move for a motion to accept the minutes. We have a motion by Rick Ring. Do we have a second? Second.

Second by Amy Proser. Any further questions or discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of approving the minutes from the November 12th, 2025 meeting signify by saying I. I.

Oppos. Minutes are approved. Okay, next item will be additionals and transfers. We have one additional first of all that is coming to us from the highway department and it is from the highway fund fund number 1176. The account number is 12200. The account title is insurance. Total amount requested is 95,000. Was this included in the annual budget request? And the answer is no. The reason not included, health insurance premiums were more than anticipated. How will this appropriation be used? It will be used to pay health insurance premiums. Specific cost of the item approximately $95,000. And how was this cost determined? Um, if pay periods, oh, I'm sorry, five pay periods approximately $18,000 plus shortage shortage from 1017 payroll of approximately $15,000. Is this a reoccurring expense? The answer is no. Will other expenditures be necessary? The answer is no. Was it discussed with the leaison? And that is yes. And the leaz leazison's name is Bob Craft. Do we have a motion to approve the additional for the highway department of $95,000 for insurance?

We have a motion by Rick Ring. Do we have a second? A second.

Second by Amy Proer. Uh any further discussion from the council? Um, yeah, I didn't I'd have to look at that. I don't remember. I was trying to figure it out. Um, I think there's a couple factors to it. I Some of it is because of the increase. The other part is um this is the year that the U commissioners had implemented that wellness package thing. So if the employee did the wellness piece of it, then every pay period, every employee gets a $50 deduction every pay. So that's a $100 per employee that did it extra that the employer pays that would not have been accounted for then. So

well the other

so health and high health health and central would be paying theirs. Um central has a large deficit that I'm going to have to figure out because they did not submit for an additional and this is December. So, I have to work on that one and um I'd have to look at health, but they usually have plenty to transfer around if needed. And um for the everybody else that is paid out of the commissioners, we're good there because that's always a big guesstimate anyways. So, I plan for extra in the commissioners so that we're

Thanks, Rick. Okay, we have a motion and a second. Any further discussion on the transfer hearing? None. We'll call for the question. All those in favor of approving the $95,000 additional for the county highway uh insurance signify by saying I.

I oppose. Transfer is or the additional is granted. Okay, moving on. We have several transfers here. that we will take a look at here. Um the first one is from the auditor and it is for $1,800 and uh it is from county general fund $1001. The amount to be transferred is $1,800 from account 32780, which is other service fees, to account number 44420. New computer equipment, $1,800. Why is this transfer needed? The auditor and first deputy needed new laptops. Our prior ones were crashing. Will additional appropriation be requested due to this? Let me say something. Oh, okay. Um, will additional appropriation be requested due to this transfer? The answer is no. Was it discussed with leaison? Yes. And that is Bob Craft. Do we have a motion to approve the $1,800 from the I'm sorry, from the auditor.

Have a motion by Amy Proer. Do we have a second? Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. And all those in favor of approving the $1,800 transfer um from the auditor to uh from other services to computer equipment signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Transfer is granted. Next one is from the corner and uh this is from the county general fund number one 01. The amount to be transferred is $3,000. It is from account 22240 and the account title is body pouches to account number 11255 and the account title is the deputy corner. The amount is $3,000. Why is this transfer needed? We will not have enough in the budget to cover deputy corner pay given increases in cases this year. Will additional appropriation be requested due to the transfer? The answer is no. Was it discussed with the liaison? Yes. And that liaison's name is Rick Collins. Do we have a motion to approve the $3,000 transfer? Have a motion and a motion by was it Amy Demsky and a second by Rick Ring. Any further discussion?

A question. They are paid by run. Is that correct? Okay. So, are they already out to cover? I will look. I had sent an email to all department heads um ahead of the deadline to submit additionals and transfers for this um meeting asking them to all look at their accounts. So, I kind of think that she just had looked at it and believed that she was going to need extra, but see

any further questions? This is this is just a transfer. It's it's not an addition, right? I mean, there there are funds within her budget. Um I I was on the phone with her this morning about another issue and she's working on a case right now that's involved three days. So um

she has like $1,45 left as of right now. That's not including when we process payroll Friday. That is after the transfer. No, that's prior to the transfer, but she was preparing so that it stayed positive by the end of this year because we'll have another payroll. Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of the $3,000 transfer requested from the corner's office signify by saying I. I.

Opposed. Transfer is granted. Uh the next one comes to us from the prosecutor and it is from the general fund fund number one 01 and the amount to be transferred is $3,042 is from account title 1 01-11272-0000-008. The account title is deputy prosecuting attorney 5 to account number 10 01 32780 d0000 d00008. The account title is other service fees and the amount is $3,042. Why is this transfer needed? This transfer is necessary to pay for expert witness testimony in a murder trial from earlier this summer. Will additional appropriation be requested due to this transfer? The answer is no. Uh was it discussed with the leaison? And the answer is yes. And the leaison is Amy Demsky. Um did we have a motion and a second on that? Yeah. Okay. Um do we have a motion uh to approve the transfer? Uh, we have a motion by Amy Demsky. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Proser. Do we have any further questions or discussion from the council? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All those in favor of the prosecutor's office transfer of $3,042 signify by saying I.

I. Oppos. Transfer is granted. The next one comes to us from developmental services and we have or and if we have consensus from the council to do them all four at once we can do it that way. Do we have consensus? Okay. Thank you. Okay. Okay, the first one is transfer uh the first of all the department is developmental services fund name is software maintenance and the fund number is 10001 the amount to be transferred is $4,600 and it is from account 22210. The account title is petroleum products and supplies to account number 34140 and the account title is software maintenance and that is for $2,600. Uh the second one comes from account number 22110 and account title is office supplies to account 34140. account title software maintenance and as for $1,000. And the the next one, the third one comes from account number 44410, furniture and fixtures to account number 34140. The account title is software maintenance and that is for $1,000. Why is this transfer needed? Unexpected increases in other software used by staff has caused this line item to be short approximately $4,600 to pay the county portion of the ESRI GIS software that is administered by the city of Auburn and cost share share shared with other municipalities. Will additional appropriation be

requested due to this transfer and the answer is no. Was it discussed with the leaison? The answer is yes. Julia's name is Bill Van Y. And the fourth one we have is from developmental services. Fund name is county general fund number one. The amount to be transferred is $225. from account number 34295. The account title is traveling education to account number 22730 or I'm sorry, let me change that 22737. The account title is notary reimbursement and the amount is $225. Why is this transfer needed? It is needed to pay for the notary of an employee. Will additional appropriation be requested due to this transfer and the answer is no. Was it discussed with the leaison? And that is yes. And the leaison is bill van y. So those totals what are those total up there? 36 46 4748 $4,825. Do we have a motion to approve these four transfers from the developmental services? We have a motion by Amy Proer. Do we have a second?

Second by Rick Ring. Any further discussion from the council or any questions? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those of approving the transfers from developmental services signify by saying I. I opposed. Transfer is granted. The next one comes to us from the courthouse. And see, do we have a letter on that one, Susan? Um, that's is that the one that has my spreadsheet? Yes.

Yeah. No, these were supposed to be at the last meeting, but they did not get included. So, um, that was when I gave you the information on this spreadsheet. The reason why can you briefly I'm looking for it.

It's just um I was bringing the account positive for our year end. This year they had more repair supplies versus paying someone to do a service to repair something. Um, so I needed to have the money in the supply account, not service account. Okay. Do we have a motion to approve the transfer for the courthouse? Have a motion by Amy Dempseky. Second. Second.

Second by Rick Ring. Any further questions or discussion by the council? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of approving the courthouse transfer of $10,000 signify by saying I.

I oppose. Transfer is granted. The next one comes to us from Sunny Meadow and there are one, two, three, four, five. Um, if we have consensus, we can do them all in one or if we feel we need to do them line by line, we can do that. So, first of all, do we have consensus from the count Amy? Sunny Meadows one. The next thing in the packet is the title 4D stuff. So unless it's in the

it's this is also again it's this one, right? No, I do see it. These were the ones from last time also. Correct. Wasn't in the normal form. So, I wasn't sure if we were if we were actually doing those transfers. So, we are doing these transfers even though they're not in the right form.

This is what I had emailed last I included you because you were one of the liaison. I had emailed a group last meeting and said that for a lack of time that I had put them all this way and it wasn't the normal form. These were to be included last time, but my office missed including them and only included the first tab of my spreadsheet that I had sent. So these are the remaining of those that yes, we do need to transfer. Okay. Okay. we agreement we're going to accept it like this.

Um, as long as we have some really clear details on who are the contract staff and the amount of dollars that we're transferring to them is roughly 607 four five $50,000. Just trying to figure out what all that is. So well on that it tells you transferring the unused payroll appropriations to the contract staff to pay for the m manpower workers that were that came in to work. We can't pay them out of personal services because we are doing they're doing a contract service for us. Got it. So I'm basically like paying an employee but they're not really my employees. Gotcha.

Some of them. Do we still have a cook working out there? Do we know if the cook is still there? I think so. How many people do we have out there? Residents. Uh we I we're down to two now. I believe we have a cook for two.

We have two. We have um I don't know if anybody's listened to any of the commissioners meetings or the minutes or whatnot, but the um our insurance company and our county attorney, they both have said that we need to have at least two workers um on every shift until everybody is gone. Even even when we get to one, we need two workers. So there's not a situation. Yes, situation.

I totally understand that. No, my my thought process was was do we still need to continue to pay these contract staff at these rates um spec specifically a cook um when I don't know that can staff not prepare food or is there not I don't know. So, just asking that and maybe that's a for a later conversation with Sunny Meadows when we get to that topic. I got all this all of these transfers are from funds that were scheduled to be paid to our own employee and it's being transferred over. There's no new money here. It's just putting in the right pocket so that we can we can make these payments. And I

is any of this in deficit because we didn't move it last month? All of it. All of it. It's been in the It's been negative for multiple months and I just haven't had time to actually do it. Be honest. Great. Thank you. Any any further questions from the council? Does do these amounts take us out to the end of the year for that, Susan, or is this just paying to get us current? Probably not. Okay. It was probably just making So, we might have another transfer to help take care of that through the Well, anything else is going to be done with my year end transfers that I do every year. Got it. So, there's one there with equipment. What was the equipment?

I think it says on there. I think it was the security cameras. Okay. And already uh

Okay. you had approved. I believe if I remember correctly, so did not take this word for word, but I believe that at one time I believe that um Kellen had come in and let you all know that they were getting the cameras to put out there um to let you know that was happening, but we didn't actually approve like a transfer for the account. And again, that money to to pay for those cameras is coming from equipment repair and maintenance and just being moved over to equipment for the actual purchase because it's a different

type of expense. No, it's fine. I just wanted to make sure. I thought that we had already purchased the cameras and those were already in use. So, Well, we have we we purchased them. No, we paid for them. We paid for him back in July, so it's been negative since July, and I'm just now having time to get anything caught up. Okay, got it. Good questions, Amy. Thank you. Do we have a uh motion to approve the transfer? And I'm my math may not be right, but $69,186. Do we Do we have a motion? Uh I'll make that motion. Okay, we have a motion to approve from Bill Van Y. Do we have a second?

Second. We have a second by Rick Ring. Any further questions or questions from the council? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those of approving the transfer from Sunny Meadows um uh the six five accounts, please signify by saying I.

I opposed. Transfer is granted. The next one comes to us from title 4D and the fund name is County General. Fund number is 10001. The amount to be transferred is $100. The account number is 34295. The account title is TTE. The account uh to being transferred to account number 22737. Account title is notary reimbursement. The amount is $100. Why is this transfer needed for notary reimbursement? Will additional appropriation be requested due to this transfer? The answer is no. Was it discussed with the leases on no on that? Do we have any questions? Hearing none, we'll um

I make a motion that we approve this transfer. We have a motion to approve by Bill Van Y. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Amy Proser. Any further questions from the council? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of the title 4D transfer of $100 signify by saying I.

I. Oppos. Transfer is granted. And the last one we have is from the auditor and it is uh the fund name is the American Heritage TIFF fund number 452. The amount to be transferred is $4,400 from account number 99500. The account title is miscellaneous expenditures to account number 44430. The account title is equipment. The amount is $4,400. Why is this transfer needed? RDC approved purchase of trailer for Decal County Sheriff's Office. Will additional appropriation be requested due to this transfer? And the answer to that is no. Was it discussed with the leaison? And the answer to that is yes. and leaison's name is Bob Craft. Do we have a motion to approve?

So moved. We have a motion by Rick Ring. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Amy Demsky. Okay. Any further questions from the council member or comments regarding the transfer of $4,400? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All those in favor of the transfer signify by saying I. I and the transfer is granted. That is the last of our transfers. And moving on, I have a couple things to say.

So, in the your non-approvals, you're also going to see a sheet that looks like this in a spreadsheet fashion. That is also multiple departments that I was taking care of their transfers because they're going to be negative. So, it is in that format and not your normal letters. When your signature sheets come around, you will see that you have a September 2025 and November 2025 um financial report by fund. The September one we couldn't do in October because of the cyber issue and we didn't get to our reports. Um, so that one we just need you to sign as well so that we are covered for our audit.

You hold up.

It might be separate. I mean separately uploaded. I can ver I can verify. Carla did it. Well, we got a moment. Silence. I'd like to apologize for being late. My cattle was having issues. So, I take care of my cattle before I come here. before it gets more serious.

Scroll down. Oh, I see what you're saying. Okay. Well, thank you. I feel better. Are you ready to move on? Or where we at? Was it in there, Amy? Did you find it or no? Yeah, it's I thought it was a se You meant separate scan. I was looking for something else. Oh, okay. I I think we're good. Okay.

Okay. Moving on. We have sheriff's contract. Everybody should have a copy of that. Pardon? Does this need to be read, Susan? Um can be. That's up to you guys.

You can read it by title only, but uh this sets the sheriff's salary for next year. And the sheriff's salary by contract is based on 70% of the prosecutor's salary, which is what we've agreed to for many, many years now. statute requires number pulled out there. N and the prosecutor's salary is set at the state level. So, does anybody have any questions on the sheriff's contract on the council? Hearing that?

Well, I will say I mean I'm their leaison. I will say that the uh it is set as a 70% of the prosecutor's salary. The total amount is $131,960 for calendar 26. And I will add that it has not changed. It's the same um salary as 2025 because um the prosecutors did not get an increase from the state. The the state did not raise judges salaries. prosecutor salaries for next year or so. Why do we have a motion to approve the sheriff salary contract? So moved.

Have a motion by Rick Ring. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Proser. Any further questions or discussion by the council hearing? None. We'll call for the question. All those in favor of approving the sheriff's contract salary contract signify by saying I. I. I. salary contract has been approved. Okay, moving on. Now we have SB 144 that I assume is Senate Bill 144, sheriff's pension report acknowledgement receipt.

So as of July 1st, um the bill changed or added, I should say, that um the sheriff is resp or required to provide um their pension plan report. So the um packet that would have been in there. The second page on is what is provided by our consultant that um they're called October three now, but they were um McCreaty and Keen I believe. Yeah. Okay. And so this is exactly what they provide every year and they have provided it every year um because I have to put all this information on our um annual financial report. But now it is required that the sheriff give this to you guys and that you guys motion and acknowledge that you did receive it.

I I'll make that motion. Thanks. Okay. Okay, we have a motion by Rick Ring and a second by Amy Proser. Any further questions on acknowledging the the report? He will call for the question. All those in favor of acknowledging the sheriff's pension report signify by saying I. I. Oppos. Acknowledgement is granted. Seat of Okay, moving on. We have next a sheriff's pension trust agreement. and you should have a copy of that.

So, um, and just so you guys know, this agreement and the next supplement supplementary trust agreement, um, it'll just be for your president to sign. Um, these are what, um, Ron Dicki was in and talked about at last meeting. This is just the and at last meeting you formally approved them to go ahead and move to with Baird. So this is just their agreements now that we need to do. Probably should do those together. Pardon? Together. Do those together.

Okay. Do we have a motion to approve these two agreements here? I will make the motion that we approve the trust agreement and the supplementary supplementary trust agreement with bear. Okay, we have a motion by Rick Ring. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Proer. Any further questions or discussion from the council? What what's the what's the difference between the supplement and the trust agreement? Is there any difference or just I honestly have no idea. You know, Don,

I don't know. I don't I didn't I don't have a copy in front of me, but I think uh based upon what Ron said,

that's not the base. I just was curious. I didn't see

Well, I met with on last last week, few weeks ago and he did not say that there was a difference or that there would be two separate agreements. I do know that uh it looks like have 18 responsibility for assets. There's uh there's one additional section on um internal revenue service approval. The only difference here's

Thank you.

Okay. Any further questions or discussions? We'll um call for the question then. All those in favor of approving the uh sheriff's trust agreement and a supplementary trust agreement signify by saying I. I oppos. Agreements are approved. Okay. Next up, Randy Fox from the airport. Morning all. Good morning.

Morning.

Will be pretty short and sweet here. Um last uh early summer we discussed doing some geotechnical work out in the 70 acres that's to the south and and west side of the airport to see if we actually could develop that area if the soil was acceptable. We didn't have rivers running under it and all kinds of other things. The geotech report is back and the uh the area is available and ready for construction. Um support what we envision for that area which is you know low impact industrial u no waste that would you know cause animals to flock to that area. Um, so there's a a long again a long list of uh specifications the FAA has to build industry near an airport. So, we're happy with that. Uh, we did update the snow and ice control plan. We have the ability now to put down liquid and solid deicing materials for the runway and other areas of the airport. Um, I was out of town this last week, so I'm not sure exactly what went on with the snow event, which really surprised me. Um I I was hoping for another week of 50 degrees and like you know a couple years ago we didn't get it. Um so the uh the capability is there. Uh I think an application of deicing materials on the runway is about $3,000 minimum. So, uh, cost, we're going to evaluate how often we have to de ice and what the

cost is and if there's a ne necessity to the cost share or we'll just absorb that as part of the budget. That hasn't been quite decided yet, but we did buy all the deicing materials during the summer when we thought the price would be low, would be very minimum demand. And so the uh equipment and the materials are on site. The uh taxi way is completed and open. Um they put down the uh surface. We had to wait for it to cure for a week or so. And so now the uh we have a taxi way that extends the full 7,000 ft of the runway. Nobody's doing the back taxi thing anymore. Um, so we're uh there's some lighting issues, a couple marking issues and things that we'll have to wait till till spring to do on the outdoors, but u taxi way is basically complete. We're looking forward to 2027 uh when they will resurface the uh original 5,000 ft of the runway. And uh that'll be the end of the runway extension project by fall of 2027 is what's anticipated. And with that, I'll take any questions.

Uh what is in your deicer? Pardon? It makes it so expensive your deer. Well, we've got 7,000 ft of runway to cover. It's not a salt product, is it? Um it's a combination product. Uh, and some of them, depending on what the weather is, some of those products don't even work once you get down below like, you know, 10 degrees Fahrenheit. Their efficacy goes down. So, now you've got to use a different product. Um, yeah. Only work, right?

So, we've uh we've got the ice preventative. That's a liquid you can put down to keep ice from forming. And then once it's there, we've got one that'll help break it up and then you can put the liquid down. But it's roughly $3,000 an application to do what's basically a mile and a half of runway 100 ft wide. The other thing I asked, was the taxi way all cement? No, it's mostly black top. Black top. That's why

Right. And uh we're uh again we're still anticipating uh next spring putting up three hangers to replace the ones that we're going to tear down at the west end that are actually technically extending out into the runway protection zone. So that's a project coming up for beginning of next year and we're funding that through the budget.

Any other questions for Randy? Randy, I want to thank you for an excellent job of keeping the the council apprised of what's going on this last year. And there's a lot going on at the airport and I think we're we're really starting to see the economic value and impact that the airport is having on the community and I think there'll be much more to come. So, thank you for keeping us updated.

We hope so. I mean, we're we're working toward some self-sufficiency that that helps, you know, put the funding and operation of the airport. So, looking toward the future and that was part of the reason for doing that geotechnical work. Um we didn't we had the guys go out there and drill that and and check it to make sure that if we built something it wouldn't sink 3 feet into the ground as soon as it was built and uh so that was it was part of the looking forward to getting these things done. Thank you for an excellent job.

Randy, has there been any has there been any notice of the fact that you actually changed the name of the airport? Uh it was in the paper. It's listed in all of the uh uh Russ actually set out a listing from the airport directory that the FAA publishes and it's listed as the uh Auburn Deel Executive Airport. So, and that was supposed to kind of increase the visibility of the airport because previously pilots uh filing a plan in some other state might not look at Auburn, but now this is right. You're getting more,

right? Is there any way to tell if there's been more

the uh inquiries? um on the Russ provides the uh numbers for the year and right now we're at 14,000 operations. We don't have the December numbers yet. So we expect that to be up around 16 or 17,000 again which is about equivalent to last year and we've had some closings um for of the runway for some time when we were doing some of the the work. So, um I think I'm not sure that people are necessarily looking for the name always, but they're looking for the location. And our 7,000 ft runway gives us pretty much the longest general aviation runway in the state of Indiana. And we're hoping that that's going to entice the especially the jet operators to start using our services instead of going into Fort Wayne and dealing with Fort Wayne. They can land here. Uh when Chuck Surak came up and we interviewed him for the Sweet Aviation to take over the fixed base operator work, uh Chuck said, you know, I'm 17 minutes from home and I don't have to deal with Fort Wayne. Not that Fort Wayne's a bad thing. It's just the fact that they can land, get out of the airplane. We'll have a courtesy car there. They can call ahead. Suite will bring we'll cater. Um if someone's going to stay for just a short period of time to go, uh we've now got 24,000 gallons of jet A on site, so we can fuel any number of aircraft back to back without running out of fuel, which was part of the issue before. We had 12,000 gallons and if two or three aircraft come in in short notice, um, we're going to run run low on fuel. So, we've made additions to keep us available for services and

prepare for the future. So, we're looking forward to some upgrades down the down the line that'll help that even more. How many planes can you that would land that you can hold? This might be a dumb hold outside if you know like if you had like four or five planes come in, they want to do business on the north side of Fort Wayne or the right

south or in Auburn. How how much uh area outside do you have though? Uh well, and that's one of the projects we just had to file our uh our improve our capital improvement plan with the FAA and out into the future probably 2728, we're looking at expanding the ramp area, which is where you park airplanes outside uh for that very reason. Um, if we start seeing more jet traffic and more transient traffic where people are coming in doing something for the day and then leaving again, they got a place to put their airplane and jets take a fair amount of space and so we're looking at expanding that area. Um, also we're still really hoping that somebody's going to think we're the place to be and the whole south side of the runway right now is empty. And so we could foresee some commercial hangers going up there with jet aircraft on site that we would either lease the property or lease the hangers and uh have that again for help our cash flow and and our operations to make the airport viable.

On your new hangers that you have planned now, is that for uh jets or for

No, no, those will be for the general aviation. The CESA 140s and 150s that I used to fly. A small a small twin might fit, but mostly these are going to be single engine. Um, and I'm assuming a number of them are going to have to move from the hangers we tear down to the new hangers. Um, because they're those hangers aren't full, but probably 90% capacity. And you probably don't know this, but the demand for more inside space. Is it growing at the airport?

Yes. Uh we've I mean I've been on the board. Lost track now. Um we've always had a waiting list of people to get hangers here. Um we like to own them because uh people put up private um hangers and then you don't know what kind of maintenance is done. They're of course then somebody wants to sell them and the price goes way up and prefer to build and own our own uh commensurate with the demand and that's what we're trying to do. Again, the church property is where part of this is going to be built. We'll have to move the fence back and where the church was, these hangers will start to be there. I've driven by the church a number of times. It looks really nice out there at the Horseman's Association.

Thank you. Anybody else for Randy? Thanks, Randy. Thanks, Randy. Thank you.

We're a little ahead of schedule. Um, let's move down to the um, uh, salary wage ordinance amendment. And Susan, do you want to read this, please? They're all was um I had the amount I had the wage in and therefore their category. But prior the those two positions had um always made a little bit more than the actual category total and I missed increasing that by their 2025 rate into 26. And then the treas treasurer I just left off her replacement employee line on the ordinance. All of this was approved numberwise in everything you've already approved. I just have to do it like this. So I actually have it on the salary order.

It was approve. It was correct amounts in the budget. Yes. But okay. Yeah. Okay. Do we have a motion to um approve this on title only? Have a motion by Amy Demsky, second by Amy Proer. Okay, that's first reading. Well, yeah, on Yeah, first reading. Title only. Yes. Okay. Any questions? Just on title reading only. Okay, we'll call for the question. All those in favor signify by saying I.

I first reading is approved on title only. Now, we'll need a a motion to suspend the rules. So, we can do this on a second and third reading. Do we then we'll make that motion? We have a motion by Rick Ring to suspend the uh suspend the rules. Do we have a second? I'll second that. Second by Bill Van Y. We'll call for the questions. All those in favor of suspending the rules signify by saying I.

I motion is carried. The rules are suspended and now we will look at approval of the uh 2025 salary and hourly wage ordinance amendment to Kelp County Council ordinance number 2025- OCC-14 amending ordinance number 20 or 2025 2025- OCC-12. Do we have a motion to approve on second and third reading? I move that we approve and second and third reading. We have a motion by Bill Van Y. Do we have a second? Second.

We have a second by Amy Demsky. Um any further questions or discussion from the council hearing? None. We'll call for the question. All those in favor of uh approval of the 2025 county salary and wage ordinance amendment. Ordinance number 2025- OCC-14 signify by saying I. I oppose. And the salary wage ordinance amendment has been approved. Okay. Thank you, Cheryl. Thought I saw you come in. We're a little early. Are you ready? Can you go early? All right. Thank you. Good morning.

Good morning. Um I'm here today because um Deb uh the county assistant nurse is retiring and it'll be sometime around the end of January and I we are doing interviews now and I'm wanting to ask if I can overlap the new person with Deb for two weeks um so that she can be oriented to the procedures and things that we do at the health department now. And I do have money in the account to pay both of them. Um the total cost uh to do that would be $2691.50. Um but there'll be money in that account of it. What what account you pulling out of Sarah? You've told me, but I forgot.

Oh. Oh, I'm sorry. I don't know her. There's It's not It's not out of g. It's not her accounts. Her fund. Yes. Fund. I mean, yeah. It's her health fund. How uh how many years has Deb Craft worked for us? Um, she has been here for 12 years and I've not let her go yet. I keep reminding her of that. I I know early on when you first came in as the director. I mean, you so depended on Deb all the time. She is a The two of you were fixed at the hip. Yes. Um, yes. It was just the two of us.

Yeah. Um, she is a a incredible nurse and a an incredible woman um in all respects. So, are you getting are you getting a lot of u resumes? Um not a lot, but we have a very promising candidate. Um we've set up an interview for Monday, so um I think we're going to be okay. She's hard shoes to fill. So we wish her all the best.

We'll need a motion. Provide the funds so they can do the overlap. Do the overlap training the new lady to replace the amazing lady that he has there which is not going to do two weeks. ain't going to do it. But I do make that motion. I'll second that motion. Just just to clarify, we are not doing anything with funds. The money is already there. It's already been approved. Like we're not adding and we're not transferring. It's already there. Everybody knows.

Good. Okay. We have a motion by Bill Van, a second by Rick Ring. Do we have any further questions or discussion from the council? Hearing none, I'll call for the question. All those in favor of the uh twoe overlay for the for the nurses to allow the training uh signify by saying I. I oppose. Motion is granted. You have your overlay. Thank you. Yeah. Have a good Christmas everyone. Thank you, Cheryl. Dave. Yeah. Before we go on into into the rest of the agenda, can I suggest that we take uh 10 minutes? That is a capital. Since we're running since we're running a little early. Sounds good. So, let's take 10 minutes. Come back here.

Yum. We do have an amendment to the salary ordinance that we just passed here. We'll let Susan explain this briefly, but we will have to go back through if the council's agreement through the process. I just made it its own ordinance number so we weren't amending all the other stuff you just signed or will be signing. Um I had left off um a clerk new account civil it's confusing. So we already have civil deputy on the salary ordinance but we list them out by account number so it's clear this account number was new and just not on the actual ordinance. So, it's putting it on there for 2026.

So, we need a an amendment um a motion to pass this on first reading. Yes. I'll make a motion that we pass ordinance 2025- OCC-15 on first reading. Okay. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Dky. Any further discussion? Is this just changing the count number? Is that what we're doing? she moved some um positions around, got rid of some small claim deputies, and added um more civil deputies. And so other words,

she's actually I mean, she's still down. She hasn't rehired all employees that have left or retired. Um it's just formalizing the job title and account number change. Further discussion, bring question. All those in favor on title only of the amendment signify by saying I I amendment only has been. We need to do these make a motion we suspend the rules.

We have a motion by Rick to suspend the rules. We have a second by Amy Demsky. All those in favor of suspending the rules by the same IO. The rules have been suspended.

Now we'll need a motion to approve the amendment on second and third 25 OC 15 by Amy Demp. Do we have a second? I'll second it by further discussion or questions. All those in favor signify by saying I. Okay. The amended ordinance has been. Okay. Moving on now. We are now moving on to the uh ordinance 2025 days OCC base 13. This is a sunny meadow stipen. We have approved it on title only but uh we need to now either approve or disapprove the ordinance here and uh first of all

okay wait we approved it on first reading. That's correct. Okay but now you want to read the ordinance.

So the ordinance number 2025 days OC days 13 whereas the County Commissioners have decided to close the county home known as Sunny Meadows. Whereas the commissioners hired a consultant in April of 2025 to begin transitioning the residents into other housing that would meet their needs. Whereas the county has had four employees who have remained with us during the transition of the residents care for their daily needs and wellbeing. Whereas the four employees have remained with the county and will remain with us until the has been relocated with the knowledge their employment with the county will cease when they are no longer duties to be taken care of at the county home. Whereas the study meadows committee that was formed and assisted in many different ways to help see that our residents would be in great care once they left and help find housing and be sure the residents had any items that were needed to get them on their feet for their new locations along with county commissioner request for remaining employees to receive a stipen of $6,000 each officially relieved of their duties as employee whereas the stipen will be paid out of the employees last check of employment. It is hereby ordained by the county council Wilkerson Michelle Smith will each receive a $6,000 stipen. Thank you and appreciation for their faithful contributions, work ethic, and care of our residents and for remaining with the county through the end of a legacy. Okay,

I want to add in this is the exact verbiage that you guys were provided with last month on first reading. Um, but I also want to let you know that uh yes, no, Monday at Monday's commissioner meeting that Commissioner Hartman had um with with retracted Thank you. with retracted um his consensus for the $6,000 that he had previously done with the other commissioners. What about the other two? They did not. They did not. So, this doesn't change then.

It can I I assume there was going to be discussion and so I left it as is. Well, they didn't vote at the commissioner's meeting. They didn't vote on it. There's nobody nobody seconded Bill's motion. So, correct. It It's their previous approval still stands. And it was a consensus prior, not an actual vote and motion. Um, Commissioner Miller had said yesterday that um he believes that it is in the council's hands now because you guys are the ones that fund it. And that's where we're at.

Well, I I did watch the commissioner's meeting and I was um grateful for Mr. Hartman's suggestion um looking at the reduction. um and um not happy with Commissioner Miller's suggestion and that that we're not they not correct the mistake um and let the council just handle it. Um I would like to suggest that we do look at the amount um I don't think that 6,000 um is is an appropriate amount. I listened to our HR um staff and They gave some very good explanation as to why that is a problem. I myself have had calls from other government employees who are frustrated by this amount thinking that it's much too high. Um I would make the recommendation that we lower that amount. I know in talking to several of you over the last couple days that you also are in agreement with lowering that amount. I'm glad that the um second and third reading did not take place last meeting so that we do have the opportunity to correct this and I think that there can be some discussion now on correcting that. My recommendation would be $1,500 for the full-time and half of that for the part-time.

Okay, let's let's kind of back up and I'm going to defer to council here on this. Do we can we make an amendment to this without voting it up or down or do we need to either approve or deny the 6,000 on the ordinance as presented? Well, you can amend, but um we have to have a motion and a second to approve on second and third reading and then you can amend. Okay. If you don't mo if there's no motion if there's no motion to approve this dies on second or third reading it dies and you start over. Okay. Okay.

Okay. Do we Well, we had a this was approved last meeting though on title only first I'm sorry first reading. So essentially we can make a motion or we do we have to make a motion to void the last first reading or do we just somebody make a motion to make make a motion to approve and second and third reading and a second and then a motion to amend that would so you make a motion to approve on second and third reading that's first and before you vote on it then you amend it motion to amend Okay. Okay. Do we have a motion to approve on second and third reading?

I will make that motion. We have a motion by Amy Proer to approve on second and third reading. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Demsky. Okay. All those in favor of approving. No, no, no, no. We have then we can discuss. Okay. Discussion. I'm sorry. We've had so much discussion already there. So, do we have any discussion? Further discussion from the council hearing? Amen. Sure. I'd like to make that amendment that we amend it. Right. I can do the amendment now. I'd like to amend those amounts to $1,500 for the full-time employees and whatever that half of that for the parttime employ now. Parttime employee.

Do we need to vote on those dollar amounts? We need a second on the amendment. We need so we can discuss it. We can discuss it. Okay. Do we have a second on the amendment? Before I before I step up and second it, if we dis we disapprove it, we can put a different amount in. Is this a vote on hers only or if we want to suggest a different amount? The first vote will be on the amendment um that that council person proer has made if it gets a second. Okay. So, we have a request for amendment. We don't have a second yet. So, you can't discuss the amendment.

Okay, I'll second it. Okay, so we have a motion and a second on the proposed amendment for $1,600 stipened and then half $800 15,500 for full-time and 750 for part-time. Correct, Amy?

And 750 for part-time. So that opens up the discussion. What is I I I read some things. I was I was not available to watch the uh commissioner's meeting on Monday, but I I did read in the paper today some of the discussion that came from the U human resources. What was the what was the typical what would be the typical amount if this was

uh in the private sector throughout the United States um generally when someone is terminated in a situation like this a reduction of force or closing down something it would be one week's pay per year of service. So in our case here, we have one employee who has worked for two years, a little over two years. So um that employee makes um $760ish per week. So if that were the case,

104 times that you said one week per year, one week salary per year. Yes. 1520 13. So yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So you kind of round it up. Then we have another the next most senior employee has worked there about now 15 months. So that's one year. And then the other two have been there since approximately June July of this year. was being proposed is generous.

Yes. Yeah. I really feel that that it is um these employees and yes they have put in a a lot of time a lot of effort. Um something that you may not have realized is that we also have some manpower employees out there who have also been working um alongside. So, it's not that these four plus the matron have been trying to cover all the hours out there, but they have been certainly putting in a lot of time and effort. So, I think that would be very generous of us to provide, you know, that kind of a a stipend um as a thank you.

Daddy, do the all of the employees make the same rate per hour? Yes. Yes, they do. Well, how many of these employees was brought in just to close the place down? None of them. None of them. But these are all our regular employees that

Yes. Yes. So, the last two who were hired in, they were informed at the time because commissioners had already made the decision. So during their interviews and during their onboardings, they were informed that Sunny Meadows was sundowning and we had a date of not longer than May of 2026, but we couldn't guarantee just how long it was going to happen, you know, how long it was going to take. So they've had every opportunity to be look for other employment while being there noting that we are very quickly sundowning this the facility. I would think that they would figure that out since we're now down to only two residents out there. They have seen the the uh residents just you know go out and you know move and get into their own places. So,

but even the ones that were here before June, they were they were also informed. Oh, yes. As a matter of fact, uh, Commissioner Douly, um, Andrew Cruz and I had, um, a meeting out there to inform all the employees first of all. Okay. And then we informed all the residents. I just wanted to make that clear by not fun because it kind of sounded like just meetings that came in June were notified. Yeah, good point. Yeah, they've all been all of the employees there have been informed and are aware that they need to look for other employment sooner than later.

And I know there's all these nuances with um making sure that we have two employees for all three shifts and seven days a week and all and we are down to two. But is and the one the one what what's the time frame to remove these two one is going to be I one is actually being evicted so that one could be there well into the 2026 but what about the other person Lita do you do you know how long that person is going to be there so yeah I essentially the first of the year there

talking with um the consultant that has been helping us. Um the one they're pretty sure will be gone before the December 31st. Okay. The um hearing on the eviction is on December 11th by Marl. December 11th. Um Bill, is that right? Was it December 11th? Okay. December 11th. And at that time is when we'll find out. All right. And how much longer?

The only reason I asked that question is at what point I mean are we talking about giving them the the stipen because they're all going to be gone by December 31st or are we going to be off into January or February with the additional time? So, I've got the information I need. Thank you. The only thing I want to add to that, and I do not know, and Bill may I don't know. It's not been discussed yet. Um just to keep in mind um not not all probably but some may need to stay as they um start um what I want to say inventorying like getting the items in the home ready for

when the other stuff correct right yes so I

but again commissioners have not said that at all I'm just putting it out there because there may be a need E even though I I second it, which me and Amy had discussed this, I still say we're short a little bit, I'd like to seen 2,000 and a thousand, but I'm going I don't know what I'm still thinking whether I want to support or not, but I think we should give them as I've said to any pe a lot of people, I do get along with my cattle more than I do people and I wouldn't want that job no matter what said. Well, something else to keep in mind is that we do have a longevity program for our full-time current employees. Um, and as a matter of fact, Friday, uh, employees will get that bit, uh, in their paychecks. So when somebody has been here for five years, they are given $600 and then on their 10-year anniversary, it's 1,200. So you have full-time currently working employees that don't get as much as what we're talking about here. And I'm sure that that has been kind of the crux of the irritation that you may be hearing.

It was I had that phone call with someone. Does anybody else have any questions for Die? Thanks, Die. You're welcome.

Okay, we have a motion and a second now on this amendment that you'll be voting on a $1,500 stipen for the full-time employees, $750 for part-time employees. This impacts four people, correct? Okay. Any further discussion from the council? We have a motion. We have a second on this. Okay. I'm going to call for the question. Now, I'm going to request a roll call vote, but I just want to make sure everybody understands how your vote is going to be. If you vote yes, that means you are in favor of the $1,500 and $750. If you vote no, you are opposed to it. Does everybody understand? Question. Okay, we'll call for the question then. Amy,

yes. Amy Dempseky. Bill, no. I will vote yes. No. Okay. The amendment is carried three amendment fails. You got to have four votes. Have a majority of the council. Okay. Thank you. So the amendment failed. Do we want to do we have to table it until next meeting? No. We can make another.

You want to make your proposal? So no matter, let me make sure I understand, Don. So no matter what proposal we need at at some point, we need to get four people. You mean a majority? We need a majority. Understood. So that means you could make a I'll make a counter 2,000 for full-time and 1,000 for the part-time. I'll second that.

Okay. We have a motion by Bill Van Y to amend to where the full-time people would get a $2,000 stipend and the part-time a$1,000 stipend. And it is seconded by Rick Ring. Do we have any further discussion amongst the council? Hearing none, we'll call for the question again. I would like a roll call vote. If you vote yes, that means you are in favor of the $2,000 stipen for full-time and $1,000 for the part-time. Amy Proser, yes. Amy Demsky, yes. Bill Van Y, yes.

I will vote yes.

Okay. The amendment is passed unanimous. So, there will be a $2,000 stipen for the Okay. Okay. So, do we have a motion to approve it on second and third reading as amended? Ordinance number 2025 days OCC day 13 amended to where $2,000 stipen will be granted to full-time employees $1,000 to part-time employees. Do we have a motion?

I move I make that move at least. We have a motion by Bill Van White. Do we have a second by Rick Ring? Any further question from the council? will call for the question on the final reading on second and third reading for the amendment. All those in favor?

Not this time. We're not just to explain we're not suspending the rules because you did the first reading at the prior meeting. This is on the approval. So again, we'll do a roll call. Yes means you are in favor of the proposed typen. No means not. Amy Proser. Amy Demsky. Bill. Yes. And I vote yes. Yes. Now before I drop the gavl, we're okay. Okay. The amendment is approved. The ordinance.

The ordinance is approved. Thank you. Okay. Moving on. Um looking at the proposed 2026 council calendar. Susan, you wanna anything you want to add on that?

Um, just a second. I'm trying to finish everything you guys just um I don't I don't think I do.

Looking at the calendar, is anybody from the council, you know, there may be hiccups on this down the road that we have to change dates. So, I mean, it's nothing is set in stone. Well, I know I'm in a conference meeting, the 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th out in St. Louis. So, I will not be here that meeting. That's the That's the only one I January. January. I thought you wanted it. No, no. I I'll leave this sometime the 6th to head to St. Louis. That was my fault. Maybe I didn't expect.

Okay. So then the January would be the 14th, which is the normal day that it should have been anyways. I thought that he wasn't here then and needed it on the 7th. Oh, no. Wait a minute. Let me check. Hold on. It is. All right. I'm right. It says double check. Our normal meeting would be on the 14th. So yeah, that's good because if it's on the 7th, I can get away from earlier. I don't know yet. I'm looking. We're still November would be the first Wednesday because the second Wednesday is Veterans Day. Yeah, I that would be the

17th. Okay, that was my bad. Yeah. So, we're good. We're good. We're good here. We're good. With the seventh. It's good. Okay. Lord have mercy. Hey, you know, my daughter told me that yesterday. So, we are on the seventh. So, when do you actually leave? Tuesday the the 13th. Okay. It's good. All right. And what were you saying about Veterans Day? What? So, Veterans Day, our second Tuesday of the month is Veterans Day. So, um, I moved it to the first Tuesday, which is the fourth. I tried to do it this way also so you could see it in this view. Nicely done. Okay. Wait a minute, Rick.

Yeah, I've got I've got it pulled up here. Just a second. Um because

on September 30th that's not over fair week, is it? You just said Tuesday. You meant Wednesday. Okay. Yes, I met Yes. Wednesday. All right. I think I just need to quit. I think I'm done. You know, it's been that's that has actually been the way the month of December has been, believe me, for July. Possible to move that to the 15th, like that week after. So the 4th, that week after the 4th. There's been many times I'm like, "Oh, I'd like to take a couple days off." And then we have council. So I don't know if it's possible to move that. Is that

What month are you talking about? In July for July 4th. Yeah. So sometimes people like to take vacations and things that after the holiday. Is it better to move that out to You're talking regular meeting also? Yeah. All the budget meetings and regular meeting. I don't know that that's your guys's that would you rather prefer 15th and 16th you mean that don't make me any difference

I'm open that time too you want to move it to the 15th 16th that's fine with me Rick July that work just get it away from days a little bit. That don't shorten your budget time anything, ladies. That's just the presentations. Oh, that's just Okay, that's right, Amy. I'm indifferent. You're good. Okay, we just then we agreed we have consensus to move to the 15th and 16th on July then. So, let's just go ahead and do that. Um question Susan September 30th is that Auburn fair week or not? Do you know? Probably.

Okay. Then we have some con little difficulty getting in and out and stuff last this last time. Well, we don't really have a choice because that has to be our final budget adoption and the prior week is um the annual AIC conference that we won't be here for. Okay. the fourth Monday. Yeah, that's a week. So, and is the um Huh? The fourth Monday is

see that's just a short meeting. And remember what happened last time? Someone stepped in their wires, throw the whole system out. That was former council attorney. I think that guy works for Steen, too. We'll leave it at the 30th. Any other is AIC the week? It's not the week of the fair. It is the week after the fair. It is the week before the fair. Before the fair. It's the 21st to the 25th. We'll make it work.

You know, we're only in here for just the approval of the budget, right? We don't that's not a regular meeting, is it? No, but the Well, I mean it you can do it is a regular meeting because you're approving budgets, but you can do I mean, if we have other stuff that comes up, we Okay. The the only the issue with that bill would be the fact that the one thing you could not vote on if you were virtual would be the budget. You have to be present to vote on it if if it's the budget. It'll take me five days to figure how to be virtual. You know, I'm not going to be virtual. I will be present or absent, nothing else.

Other question I had is that I know September Labor Day I'm sorry. Say that one more time. I'm trying to get your ordinance printed.

The the downtown stuff is all weekend. It's all Saturday. Maybe Friday, but then Saturday. Amy was thinking more just with the courthouse being closed. that just create issues on it just or I I personally for us we can do we can do the week before I had only left it there because that was the normal second Wednesday but no I have no

I mean in all honesty the second and the third would actually be better for Jod and I because we only have that time frame between then and the 30th to get everything verified, checked, all that. So, but we make happen whatever. Yeah, that would be September road of September instead of

it should meetings are All right, you and I and Dan Y can meet at that. The rest of them tag along. So, I don't know if it's possible. Yeah, the second and third work fine. That's my bedtime. So, I go to bed then I got to have a little bit of time.

The um and the other thing to consider And I don't know what the I don't know what the deadline is going to be, but for July and August meetings, the start of some of these local option income taxes are going to have to be approved um before September, I believe, be turned into the DLG. So, there are going to be some deadlines with that. Right.

That you know take the you know we by by that time next year you should have some type of idea of what our wheel tax is going to generate. If you're going to change it for 27 you need to do it before September 1. You're going to have other uh local option income taxes that are going to have to be discussed. Maybe not that we want to discuss, but you're going to have the libraries, the solid waste district, the the uh airport and and any of these that support them. Uh those discussions are going to start happening. So you're going to you're going to have some things happening in August and probably that first meeting in September that are going to be time consuming. Well, we get into discussions. I know this is going to get off base a little bit. Don can answer. Even though Stuben County is the main county with the solid waste where the budget goes through and everything, they cannot dictate the rate we set as funding to that solid waste district, can they?

Well, why I asked because as as Amy knows, we've both been on the board, the budget is approved. It's not we don't see the budget in Decal County which is my biggest gripe but the the budget goes through Stuben and Stu Ben okays budget or denies the budget as as as their their their process but I do not want them to be able to say okay you have to donate this much in it. We're allowed to set our own rates right believe you're allowed to set your own rates. Well, thank you, sir. And the right

and if they need additional if they need additional assistance from any of these local option income taxes, they're going to have to go to all four counties and because I can't see them, they aren't going to set the rate for all four of us. We'll each have to set that rate. And if one agrees to one amount and the rest of us don't, I mean, it's going to it's going to die. So, they're going to have to be we're going to have to be working together or let them know up front, but that's for those local option income taxes. Thank you. What was that on the which thing were you talking about? Solid waste.

Solid waste. All I had in my I could only come up was sewer district, but solid northeast Indiana northeast Indiana solid waste district. Okay. Any other questions regarding the proposed calendar? And like I said, this it's all subject to change. I mean, if we have something at the last minute, it can happen. This is my only question. September 2nd and 3rd. Does that interfere with anything ACD wise that happens downtown? I mean, I know Friday's the cruising, but I didn't know Wednesday, Thursday. I'm not in charge of that, so I That's fine. Well, well, you got the head man right here.

Oh, I'm sorry. What now? He'll be retired by that time. September 2nd and 3rd. And I didn't know if that interfered with anything ACD wise that was around the There'll be there'll be there'll be quite a bit of stuff going on that weekend. We're talking about the week the two days we moved our meetings to second. I know Friday as opposed to the 9th and 10th. Um it doesn't impact me. I mean, so we could do that. And you are going you're going to make the fixes on this and email list. Absolutely. She's wanting to know if there is any ACD stuff downtown.

What affects parking for us. Second and third. I know fair. It's hard for me to get over here on this side. The third the third there will be there'll be downtown activities on the third during the day. Yep. So, this is something you better look at right now. Maybe we want to move it back to where it was. Uber. What's that? Week of Labor Day.

Yeah, I I' I'd leave it at the 9th and 10th. That way everything's cleared out, but that's up to the council, but there'll be a Yeah, they'll have stuff blocked off for cruise in on Thursday and there'll be activities and stuff downtown. still have tent set up. So, so we better

it might be better just leave it ninth and 10th and leave it leave it go at that so we don't have to deal with the crowd. Well, I mean the let me check but I mean the other option would be a Tuesday Wednesday versus a Wednesday Thursday first and second. Yeah.

Uh there might first you're going to have uh plan commission there from 8:30 to 9 on the Tuesday. It says plaque committee. Plaque commission. Well, that's But that's not always Yeah, right. You guys don't always meet. Yeah, that's right. Plaque commission. Part of the planning commission. I know. I get them just as good.

But we could start that at 9:00. That's not an issue. Or we could start it at 6:00 and take a half hour break while they're in here. Well, the rest of everybody, Amy, me and Rick is here and the rest of you early. have my own. What's council's pleasure? Give it as is and amend it if we need to later in the year.

I like the first and second. I don't think the parking is going to be as bad as it is for the fair. No, it's not. It's not. So, go move to the second and third weekend. The weekend it' be one thing, but not during the week. So, they Amy, it's your choice. Let it up to you. What What do you suggest? Second, third. Are you asking?

You're looking like general. Well, either one of you. You're looking this direction. I'm indifferent. I'm indifferent. You You two ladies. Why don't you step up? Okay. I'm going to say I want it the second and the third. Will the council please agree to that? I make a motion that we make it the second and third. Keep Susan happy. Decision made. Okay. So now you need to approve the whole calendar. So we're going to second and third.

So we have January 7th, Feb, February 11th, March 11th, April 8th, May 13th, June 10th, July 1516, August 12th, September 2nd, 3rd, October 14th, November 4th, and December 9th. Oh, and September 30th. Yes. Thank you. I move that we approve what Susan just read off. So we have our candidate.

Okay. We have a motion by Bill Van Y, a second by Amy Per hearing. No further discussion. We'll call for the question. Oh, I'm just kidding. Any other questions from the council? Okay. All those in favor of the 2026 proposed calendar signify by saying I.

I proposed calendar is adopted. Okay, moving on to 2026 board appointments here. Uh, okay. Board appointments. Let's take a look what we have. Susan, do you want to kind of run through these?

So, um, I made notes here. The only Okay. So on this appointment page, the first three that will happen in January, maybe even the I don't know why we didn't do North East Solid Waste District in December last year, but anyways, from Northeast down, those that are highlighted are ones that you need to um do. As far as coming down to board of health, further down, the only ones that I know about is the um Garrett Public Library. um Katherine Satison um resigned because she moved out of the area and they are recommending Terara Smur which we have that and then for the Eert Library um David Brown actually terminates on the 20 January of 26 but we're going to move it back so it ends in December with the others and they're recommending David Brown to stay as well. All of the others I have not heard anything about.

We don't have any suggestions then for the board of health vote on. How about stay? Isn't it? Is he staying? Yeah, he's staying. Yeah, staying. Okay. But then I guess we just need to reappoint him as he terms this the end of this month. Unless my date is wrong. Essentially, yeah,

except for Smur and the change with David Brown and Alaball will stay. Oh, so where and that's that's the one that I had talked to Valerie at the library, but u David's is changing because they want to move that the expiration date back a month. Is that what what the deal is? um because currently he's appointed through January of 22, right? But it looks does look like everything else would end on 1231 of the So we're actually moving it back a month is basically what we're doing

basically. Yeah. Okay. I would make a motion uh at least for the two library boards that number one for the Garrett Public Library, we uh approve the the uh appointment of Terara Smur uh to that board and for the Echart Library that we approve David Brown appointment which would be through uh December 31st. first of 26 if I'm understanding that correctly.

No, I read this. I I think they're wanting them to they want them for another term. So, it would be through 2029. It All right. All of these that have the fouryear is going to be 1231 of 2029 is what the next end turn date. And I do know that um at least on the Echart Library board, they're they're restricted to three terms without taking a term off or they can be reappointed.

I don't even know if they can take a term off. Uh yeah, they can because we looked at that with the person that uh David Brown replaced.

Okay. So, you want to do just those two libraries for right now? That's my my only motion is for those those two. Uh and Waterlue, I can tell you, does not have a recommendation yet. Yet, they've not found we haven't found anybody. Okay. Oh, Rick, you have a motion? Yeah, that's my motion for those two. Do I have a second? That's on the Garrett and U Auburn library boards. Do we have a second? I'll second it.

Okay. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of Terra Smur going on the Garrett Library Board and uh David Brown's term being backed up to when it's not really backed up. It's just the next term. It's the next Okay. Signify. Um all those in favor signify by saying I. I motion is carried. Okay. council appointments. Everything stays the same. We moving on.

Well, I was just going I was looking at this in that uh for the tourism board, I do believe Dave Bun is is termed out, but they do have a new executive director. So, I don't know if they need a little bit of time before they

I would give them a little time recommendation. I don't know that anybody actually recommends for those types of things. Like you guys have always told me, you guys have always talked to these boards and told me who it was going to be the um and and I think as far as Dave is concerned, we did go out and find Dave. I mean, that was that was our and I did talk to um Amber before she left about finding somebody new to to that they would be interested in having. Um but again, she's left. We have a new executive director and so it may be till next month before that person gets in and his feet on the ground and

I can touch base with Ryan. Yeah. Yeah. you I was going to say you have more more connection with them than most. And the Peterboa board is that uh is is um I asked her I haven't gotten the letter yet but I'm assuming that she doesn't have anybody new. Um and I would I would um Well, do we want to wait? Actually, yes. She just said I said I assume for Peterbo board it's the same. Okay. Um, and she said, "Yeah."

All right. Well, I'll make a recommendation that we um we appoint the Kyle Bransom and Marcia Severs to the Peterboa board for the U 2026 year. I'll second that. Okay. We have a motion, a second to re keep Kyle Ranskum, Rick. Yes. Okay. and and um Kyle and Marsha both.

Okay. Kyle and Okay. And Marsha both. Um any further discussion from the council? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor of keeping Kyle Bransken and Marshia Severs for the PTA BOA board signify by saying I. I post. Okay. Okay. So, I also need for them I need um um a motion and vote to wave the political party requirement and to wave the level two or three certification levels every year. We have to do that.

I make the motion exactly what she said and and I'll second that. Okay. We have a motion uh by Bill Vanise, second by Rick Rain to approve exactly what Susan said. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos. Motion is carried. And then, um, down below that one, um, we just appointed Lynn Reinhardt to replace Jim Dwire earlier this year, didn't we?

We I don't remember. Okay. And so that that that needs to be corrected and I don't know if same same term. Yeah. And then he would have fulfilled this one. So I just need to update that name. All right. And then we need we need an um recommendation from uh Mayor Fiant over in Garrett. Uh Vivian Lys is no longer with Garrett. She was the plan commission director. They've hired a What's that? I just sent him another email. Did you? Okay. I haven't heard back.

That can be dealt with next time. And then the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission, Tyler, I'll make a motion that we approve him for the 2026 year.

I'll second. Okay, we have a motion by Rick, second by Amy. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. I motion is carried. And that brings us to the redevelopment commission. And I'll make a motion that we appoint John Good and Peter Rhyl uh to uh the 2026 year. Oops. Excuse me, my mic was off, but now it's on. I'll second it.

Okay, we have a M motion by Rick Ray, a second by Bill Van Y. Any further discussion? Offer the question. All those in favor signify by saying I. I post. Motion is carried. I just had a text from Bob Craft that he will not be at the July 15th or 16th meeting. He'll be out of country. So, not that that's going to change the dates or anything. He's just giving us a early heads up. Okay. Anything else on the council appointments? So, those are budget presentations. The days that he's not going to be here. Yep. So, it's just going to be crucial that Yep.

Everybody is talking to their departments because it's not happening. And some who couldn't be here on the ETH night? Somebody could be here on the ETH and 9th. There was a conflict. on that in in July. I'm fine with July. Whatever you do. Amy, you had a concern about too close to the fourth for the holiday. Correct. Do we Let's Let's take a look at that now because Bob's letting us know early that he isn't going to be able to make it. Can we finish these appointments? Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry. What else do we have to go through, Susan?

Well, um, board of health, I'm assuming somebody's going to motion to keep all I I move that we keep Thomas on this, the board of health. Do we have a second? Second. Any further uh discussion on board of health with uh Mr. Hollow? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. And all those in favor of keeping uh Tom Hollow on the board of health signify by saying I. I oppose. Motion is granted.

Okay. So going up. So from the Northeast Indiana Regional Coordinating Council, Job Classification, Jail Committee, Tax Abatement Committee, Plan Commission, and Northeast Solid Waste District. Um, are all of you listed in those areas staying the same? And if so, then we need a motion to keep we appoint everybody for 26. Do we need a motion for that? Yeah. Okay. Do we have a motion? So move. We have a second. I'll second it.

Okay. We have a motion by Rick Rang. We have a second by Bill Van Y to keep the council people in the same positions. uh as as listed there. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll call for the question. All those in favor signify by saying I. I post. Okay. I have a question on the develop county economic development partnership. Is that a three-year term that Amy was appointed to? Fouryear. Let me do Yeah. If my math was complete, I would do. Okay.

Okay. Let's uh anything else, Susan, on that one on the council appointments. Not on the appointments, but if you turn it over, you have your liaison. Okay. Leaison. I talked to everybody I think except Amy Demsky, but um Bill's going to keep the same ones. Rick Collins will talk about that. Um, Rick Rain, keep the same ones. Bob Craft is going to keep the same ones. I'll keep the same ones. Amy Demsky, you comfortable with yours?

Amy Proer? Okay. So, do we need a motion to keep these, Rick, or not? Yeah. Well, you know, I it's debatable because a number of these things are a decision of the president of the council. They're just an assignment. They're not a Oh. So, I would say that u we will you can do you can do it as you want, but I think tech everybody's in agreement. We'll just leave them as is. That'll be my decision if necessary. Okay. We're done on that. Damn. Huh? Put the hammer down. Okay. But so we're not we're not doing a formal motion. No.

That but he is assigning us to those things. He's making the assign he's making the assignment. executive decision. Am I correct in what I'm saying? Absolutely. Okay. So, I need to change this to president sign.

I do want to go back to the calendar. Bob was gracious enough to let us know early on that he cannot be here on the 15th and 16th of July. So, how's everything fitted? I'm always together.

The July the July dates aren't really an issue. They're that's just your budget presentations. So, If you don't want them in July and if you want them in August, we can change it to August. Well, my thing is since we get as many people as you can, would it affect you and anything if we go to the 22nd and 23rd?

The U they're making their presentation to us. The I guess the the real issue is when do the departments and the other elected offices have to have their information to you because that's what you're working with. The end of June. So they've got to have their stuff in by the end of June. So when they present it to us doesn't make you any difference.

The only difference that it makes is um let me count this back. So if we go to September 2nd and 3rd, that is going to be um the public hearings, the workday public hearing. So with whatever they present, if any changes are decided, then I have to be able to put them into my form three that has to be advertised 10 days prior to that meeting. So, so if we move them to like August, then if we did the 12th and the 13th in August, then I would have about five days to do any changes for our form three because once the form three is um uploaded, advertised, then you can't go above them. It it is that's why I've done it in July, but

this year July seems to be an issue even. I like July better. It just gives us all time to think. Let me Well, do you have enough time if they've got to have their budgets into you by the 30th of June, do you have enough time to get what you have to do done for the presentations on the 8th and the 9th or whatever that date is? Yeah.

Can we just take it up to the back to the 9th? I know we might have Is anybody else going to be on vacation? Are you guys be on vacation? Is that your three weeks or is that your month of vacation? Amy Roser, I don't want to have Amy Desk Proer.

Can I just can I just say one thing? Um, if we could look at this and I know you guys, it's really really difficult to look at it further out. However, the trend is the last couple of years is that if it's close to a holiday, we either have some folks show up on council or some folks can't because of other reasons. But it's crucial that we do, especially when the department heads are coming in and presenting because that's your opportunity to ask those questions and do those things. So if we do move it back, if we could just really take a look at it and make sure that as I mean obviously things pop up, but that we're really penciling that in and we are looking at those budget dates and saying I'm going to be here to be present so we can you know, you know what I'm trying to say? so that we can all be here and be present and really get a good handle on those.

All we need to have set right today is January 7th meeting. So if we can come back in January, everyone can say their mind and we know we have to have this done because there's other departments that rely on Susan to be able to schedule their meetings for this room for this room. So we we need to schedule it. Well, I would Okay, I'm going to ask you. Would you rather have it first, 2nd, 8th or 9th, or the 22nd or 23rd? I don't want it the 22nd, 23rd because then you're that much closer, okay, to the August meeting because you have to remember you're moving your regular meeting also.

I then let's take it back. I know it's going to get us into life fourth, but either we got to decide if we want everybody here either the eighth or ninth or the first and second. So, which is better for you young ladies to get to present or help us with the percent is if they have to have something turned when they have to have it turned in July, June 30th. That only gives you we might even say May. I can't remember.

A lot of times we do a little bit earlier, but that gives us the month of June because June's a busy month with other things, too. That gives us June to look at it and see if we need to make I would suggest we leave it the 8th and 9th. When we get out here to May or June and we look and at their schedule, we can move that back and forth. What do you say about that? We leave it right at the 8th and 9th. We get out there a little ways and if that don't work, you want us to move it somewhere so you have more time, less time. I'm not the one that's wanting to move it. I like the first and second. So, don't ask us. Like it's you guys that are changing them. Yeah. Yeah. But

so it's not up to us whether I'm just saying absolutely not the 22nd or later. Well, someone put something out. Why Why does it have to be a Wednesday, Thursday? It doesn't. I just said that. Okay. It all depends. It could be a Monday, Tuesday. It all depends on what other meetings are in this room. So, we've got commissioners. We have plan, plat, bza, alcohol and tobacco. Um, and really that's the Thursday meeting is the I mean because if we have July 8th would be the typical second Wednesday of the month. So that would would automatically be assigned to us anyway.

And Thursday we start we start presentations right after that meeting on the 8th. Right. But I'm saying that's a normally scheduled time we'd have in this room. Yes. It's the whether or not the room would be available on the 9th, which is the Thursday. That's the that would be the issue. Uh I would not want to go back to and 50% of the world is going to take vacation the week of the 29th of June through the 5th or 6th. and the other half is going to take the starting Friday the 3 and take the next week. So, it's 50% one way or the other.

But you have checked that the that uh the drainage board don't meet on the 9th, right? Or you um I don't have their right. We also have drainage board. I don't have their schedule yet. Do they meet on a certain day or is this just when something comes up? No, they meet every other Thursday. Oh,

okay. file exits. Right now, I'm going to say this, you can disagree. Leave it the 8th, 9th, and if we get out there and we see that we need to move it up a week or back and how the schedule fills out, I would go with that. So, now I made motion. I want someone else to make motion. share a motion on

I'll make a motion that we meet July 8th and do we have a second? Do we have a second? I'll second it. We have a second by Bill. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor of leaving it at the 8th and 9th of July signify by saying I. I o I said no. Okay. Amy Demsky. No. So if you got to wait till next month to figure it out because we don't have we don't have four, right? Yeah, we do. We have four.

Yeah. Okay. Three, four. Yeah. Yes. Okay. Eighth and ninth. All right. We're going to move on. And that was the last item of calendar business there. Well, the next thing is we need to grant authority for the auditor to make endofear transfers to close out the year. Susan, anything you want to say in that or just put it up for a vote? No, you just have to give me that authority so that we are in compliance with Do we do we have a motion to grant Susan the authority for the end ofear transfers? Need a motion which is something we do every year. We do. We have to. So

Okay, we have a motion by Amy Demsky. Do we have a second? Second by Amy Proser. Any further discussion? All those in favor of granting the auditor the ability for the end of your year transfer signify by saying I. I. I. Opposed.

Motion is granted. Couple of things. things. Uh, Bill Hartman is not here for the um, commissioner council discussion and he said he didn't have anything on. Couple of things that I have. Um, Rick Collins will be resigning his position as of December 31st. He has moved out of district and so that will fall back on um, on Rick Ring shoulder for his replacement. But uh I just want to uh thank Rick um for his service there, but he will not be here. He's at a funeral in West Virginia right now who could not make it and sense his regrets. Couple of things I just want to share with the council. I want to thank everybody for a really really good year. Start with Susan and Jody. What you provide is invaluable for us. So, I mean, we would really struggle without your expertise and and I know it's a lot of grief and headache and short-term changes, but you do you really do a terrific job, both of you, in uh providing information to keep us on a straight and narrow. Want to thank the council. Um, you ladies and gentlemen, you did a you did a terrific job last year and I'm really proud of you and our constituents should be also and I know they are. But we went through some tough decisions last year. We had to make a call on the wheel tax and that wasn't easy because we had to actually vote to put a tax increase on not by choice but because we were backed into a corner. And I know every one of us here had a different proposal and Um we we disagreed. We disagreed a lot and we disagreed hard, but that's what we're here for. It's not the rubber stamp, but we got through it and um we'll take a look at it again. But uh the other thing is that um um

tough decisions regarding Sunny Meadows here and everybody stood fast on that. We passed a solid budget and again a lot of discussion on that. But the thing I'm really proud of everybody, everybody here on the council did their homework, whether it's working as leaison with your groups, bringing it back, presenting to the council. You really did a terrific job. Nobody coasted here on this. And I've seen a lot of councils and a lot of other entities where you get people that just coast. There's no coasters here. and everybody is fully aware that what you're going to present, somebody may not like it, but you're going to put it out there anyway because it's for the good of the community. And uh you just did a a super super job, everybody here. And I could go around and name some of the things that everybody here offered and provided, but I'm not going to do that. I don't want to miss anything, but I just want to say thank you and thank you on behalf of the county for an outstanding job. everybody here in this room and Don, your expertise is invaluable down there. So, we we couldn't do it without you. So, thank you. Well, thanks everybody. Um, on that note, next meeting is January 7th of 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and Amy, you get not yet.

Whoa, here we go. Okay, hold on.

All right. Uh first of all u the tax abatement committee which is you, myself and Amy Demsky, we actually do need to meet to review our tax uh the forms that we use when we assign the length and amount of tax abatement. We don't need to really change the one for the the real property. There's not been many changes there. But there are changes to the way um tax abatement for business personal property. What's eligible for business personal property? Uh so we need to look at those values that we've given to those u u in that form as to what we would give. I know that there is a potential project coming down the line here and I would not want that project to be reviewed until we get these forms updated because using the current form with the changes that the legislature made would not be appropriate. We we do need to take a look at that. So I'll try to schedule a meeting of the three of us so that we can take a look at those. Um secondly, I want to thank um Susan and the auditor's office. They're they're moving forward with a project that that we encouraged a number of years ago in buying um uh the uh timekeeping system where we could uh get better handle on our uh hours spent and overtime whatnot. And all of this now is can be coordinated through LAOW. And I think it's very important for our recordkeeping and our efficiency with our with our finances to have that information. So I want to I appreciate what what Susan's been able to do with that. Um on the other hand, we'll go

back to the other side of it. One of the one of the issues that we've we've tried to get taken care of over the last few years, and Susan's been working on it, but she's had problems with the with the vendor, which is the vendor of choice by most governments. Uh, and that is getting all of our ordinances and resolutions online so that they're searchable by not only by us, but by our department heads and the public. Uh most of the most of the counties have that, most of the cities have that. Uh they've done it in different ways, but but the majority of them have chosen the the vendor that that Susan's been working with, but it's caused her a little bit of grief.

Yeah, it's all we've got it um all the bugs worked out. I have one final review that I'm doing on it and then it will be live. and that's when when she says she's been lacking of time, uh, all of that on top of the budgets and everything else she does, trying to get that fixed is has been an issue. So, um, thank you for both of those items. Uh, the last thing is the county received an anonymous donation of um building the screening wall around the generator. Uh the generator was absolutely necessary. Um it um it it was put in, but it was absolutely atrocious looking at it as you drove by it. And we did have an anonymous donor that um you know had some choices. Uh we could have done it with with greenery and whatnot or the um with the limestone which was the more expensive way to go but and they've they've fully covered that cost. And so I just want to appre I I just want to show our appreciation for that donor because that would have been uh something that would have been coming from the general fund and would would have been quite expensive, but it it maintains the the aesthetic look of the courthouse and I'm just so very happy and thankful to that to that donor. So that was all I had.

Thank you, sir. Anybody else? Anybody else have anything to discuss or come before the council? Hearing none. Amy, I I would just like to thank our president and our vice president for your service this year. We really do appreciate both of you and the leadership that you take. It's very appreciated. No, very appreciative of what you guys do. Really do. Thank you. Uh and with that, I'll make a motion to adjurnn. Second. Second. Any objections? Do we have We'll call for the question. All those in favor of journing signify by saying I. I. No, we are journ.

I would say maybe we can adjourn because Rick's not here. So, u just because I know