County Council - Regular Meeting

Good morning. Welcome to a public hearing for the Muny Recovery Lease Agreement. Today is November 18th is roughly 9:05 a.m. Is there anybody public that wishes to comment? Yes, Rick Yenser, newsman and author. Um, talking to people with Muny Recovery and they do business I think is Indiana treatment centers. Uh, I think this is a good fit for Delaware County. A couple reasons. um local providers have kind of pulled out of the mental health and addiction treatment and prevention business here lately. So, we need to bring in some new people. And of course, what I like about this deal is that government finally gets paid unlike other providers here that are not for profit and they don't pay property taxes. I think too it will free up a new source of money because as I remember the commissioner said some time ago that you were going to probably use opioid settlement money to operate this mental health facility next to the jail. I think that needs to go to prevention and treatment programs unlike what the city did of giving it to public safety because they could and I've heard talk or hear locally that maybe the county wants to give it to criminal justice uh the uh addiction coalition Delaware County. you need to work with them and they will tell you what prevention and treatment programs um deserve that money and actually help people with mental ailments, addiction, even homelessness. So, I hope you listen

because the public doesn't seem to ever care. They don't show up to meetings. They don't say anything. But I in talking to others know that that addiction problem along with mental health needs to be handled not just by government but by the providers here too of healthcare. Thank you. Thank you for your comments. Anyone else here to speak? All right. Hearing none. I'd entertain a motion to close the public hearing. So moved. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Jessica. Roll call, please. Miss Blanket, yes. Yes. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. [clears throat] Yes. Thank you. Kyle, do you need moment? All right. We'll go right into our regular scheduled meeting. So, call the meeting to order this November 18th, 2025. I'm roughly 9:10 a.m. Now, if everybody would stand for a moment of respect in memory of Corporal Reynolds, I'd appreciate it, please.

All righty. Thank you. If you stay standing, Jack would do the pledge, please. I pledge allegiance 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. Thank you, Jeff. Roll call, please. Present. present. Mr. Mole, yes. Mr. Hughes here. H present. Piper here. Present. Freeman here. Thank you. Was the agenda posted properly?

Yep. All right. You have the agenda in front of you and it has been adjusted slightly. The elected officials and department heads will move higher on our agenda. I'll move to approve. Second. Motion by Jessica. Second by Dan. Roll call. M. Planken. Yes. Mr. Hughes. Yes. Mr. Smoker. Yes. Mr. Buck. Yes. Piper. Yes. Mr. Can. Yes. Mr. Swahhead. Yes. All right. Moving on to our tabled business. We have the minutes from our September meeting. I'll move to approve. I'll second. I guess remove move from the table. Yes.

Motion is to remove from the table. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. [clears throat] Roll call, please. Mr. Splang, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Mole, yes. Cookout, yes. Sper, yes. Mr. Kz, yes. Mr. Swahhead, yes. Move to approve the meetings for the September 23rd meeting. Second. Motion to approve the September minutes by Dan, a second by Jessica. Is there any comments, questions, discussions? Thank you for correcting them, Marissa. Roll call, please. Flangen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Moall, yes. Spookout, yes. Spiper, yes. Mr. KZ, yes.

Sweethead, yes. Thank you. Moving on to the October council meeting minutes. I'll move to approve the October 28th council meeting minutes. I will second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan Blank. [clears throat] Wait a second. [laughter] Comments, questions, or corrections? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Flagan, yes. [snorts] Yes. Mr. Mole, yes. Bugout, yes. Spiper, yes. Mr. Scans, yes. Mr. Swahhead, yes. Thank you, Ed.

Moving on to elected officials and department heads. The reason this was moved up higher on the agenda was extension had reached out and requested to be early on the meetings time frame here. However, they have now had a conflict where they could not make it. So, they will try to attend another meeting to give us their update. But while we're on elected officials and department heads, are there any other elected officials, department heads would like to speak now? Did they get up to speak or did they I think so. Okay.

Morning, Council Jeff Stanley with the sheriff's office. I just want to say thank you on behalf of Sheriff Skinner. Uh myself and the deputies and the Reynolds family. Um this past week has been very tragic for the sheriff's office and the council, the commissioners and the community have gone out of their way to pay respects and to give us what we need to make the funeral for the Reynolds family a successful one. So, um the public viewing for the funeral is this Friday at uh Chapel Church there on Bethl or I'm sorry on Nebo and um River Road and then the service campus. Yes. Thank you.

And then the uh the actual service will be at Delta High School on Saturday at at 10:00 a.m. for the for the public. So, we just want to say thank you for everything that you guys have done for us. Thank you, Jeff. Thank you, Jeff. real quick just to reiterate on just point. So, I sent an email to all the elected officials in in the county and in the city that um uh the service on Saturdays at 10. Uh please arrive early if you're going to be in attendance. Uh it's expected to be extremely busy and elected officials will be sat prior to the prior to the meeting. So, just to reiterate to anybody who didn't seen that email

Gavin Green, Delaware County Corner. Um, just want to give the monthly update. Uh, as of this morning at, uh, 2:00 a.m. we had our 613th call for the coroner's office. Um, so that means we're averaging about 56 calls, um, a month, which means that we are projected to have about 668 um, calls uh, for the coroner's office. Um, I can report back um, Mr. H was questioning about the referrals from the hospital. Those have uh started to go down. Um I had a couple conversations with a couple charge nurses to make sure that they're reading their SOPs to make sure that they're not being u overburdening our departments. And so from the ED to the ICU to the um progressive care, I've tried to help out and try to reduce those. So

thanks. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, Gavin. Morning, council. Steven Brand, Delaware County Commissioner's Office. Just a reminder to the council and to all employees that uh open enrollment is today and for the about the next month for benefits. People should be receiving emails andor text messages. Uh you can self-s serve by using the links that are included in those or you can see uh human resources. Uh Mcgriff has been here doing someformational meetings. They've done them at the jail. Uh they've done them here and they're trying to uh you know support everybody on their timeline on their turf. So just a reminder that that's going on right now.

Commissioner Brand, real quick, could you also reiterate what happened at the commissioner meeting relative to the 24 pays um yesterday? Yeah. So the couple commissioner meetings ago, um there was a new the updated benefits grid where the premiums are determined. It was approved at 26 pay because currently this year there's 27 pay. Next year is going to 26 pay. So we did it for 26 pay. After we did that, the auditor's office came back and said, "Hey, we only deduct this 24 times uh a year." So that lines up with the billing from the uh from Apex currently or McGriff in the future. So yesterday we revised the 26 pay to a 24 pay.

Thank you. Yep. Good. Good. Thank you. Thank you. Any other elected officials or department heads? All right. Hearing none, we'll move on to our transfer and appropriation agenda. Elizabeth [clears throat] starting off in County General 145 Jail 156 101 correctional officer -4,700 198 101 part-time positive 4,700 total transfer zero move to approve second

motion by Jessica second by Dan any questions for Jeff I assume you're here representing the Jeff [laughter] there. Any questions? All right. Hearing none. Roll call. Mr. Flanken. Yes. Muse? Yes. Mr. Piper? Yes. Mr. Mole? Yes. Mr. Brook? Yes. Mr. Gance? Yes. Mr. Twiad? Yes. Thank you, Jeff. Appreciate it. Thank you. Moving on. Elizabeth

139 public defender 149101 public defender -1,158 150 101 public defendant -1,926 173 health insurance positive 3,84 total transfer zero. Move to approve. Second motion by Jessica, second by Dan. questions or comments. I assume that 15101 should also read public defender. Public defender. Yeah, I think so. I think it was a type of

Are we u ever going to get on track for this health insurance? Yes, after the beginning of the year. Further questions, comments? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Manga. Yes, Mr. Teu. Yes, Mr. Piper. Yes, Mr. Mole. Yes, Mr. Bugout. Yes, Mr. Can. Yes, Mr. Wyatt. Yes. Thank you, Elizabeth. 138 courts, 311 contractual services, negative 1,676, 536, equipment, positive 1,676 total transfer zero. Move to approve. Second.

Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. comments or questions. Emily Anderson, court administrator, I gave you a copy of the quote. This is for security cameras at juvenile court. This is part of their upgrade that they're doing and they needed security cameras in a couple of places that were not installed with the original court. Um, so YOC got me the quote. They're going to install it at their like they're not charging for the installation. So that is just for the purchase of the equipment. Obviously, I needed to take it out of contractual services and put it into equipment. So, that's what this is. Just moving that money. Questions or comments from council? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Flangen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Piper,

yes. Smoke, yes. Spok, yes. Mr. Cany, yes. Thank you. Moving on, Elizabeth. 133 corner 311 contractual services 15,000 220 operating supplies positive 15,000 total transfer zero move to approve second motion by Jessica second by Dan comments or questions Gavin do you want to go ahead and explain this one because I I didn't put out notes on this after finance so

yeah um Gavin Green Delaware County Corner we have uh we'll be giving back approximately $70,000 uh out of autopsies that we haven't needed to use, but we'd like to transfer 15 out of contractual services autopsies into our operating uh to purchase some end of the year supplies. And those would be um additional shelving or um additional body bags that we'd like to buy. And then we'd also like to get and Commissioner Bran can speak on this um all of our chairs in our conference room that we have all of our families sit in when we talk to them. Um two of them have broken wheels that you almost fall out of. And then also in the light of the event from last Wednesday, luckily EMS had a flag at their downtown station to give um Corporal Reynolds. Um but the coroner's office u because we deal with u death and we're there. We'd like to supply every single ambulance with a commercial size flag in this event um that they have one that everybody is stocked to make sure we give our respect to all of our officers and all of our veterans. So um we're just moving money from one one line item to another. We just need your guys' approval. [clears throat]

Washing machine No body bags. No questions or comments to Gavin. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Blank, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Piper, yes. Mr. Mole, yes. Mr. Bout, yes. Mr. Pants, yes. Mr. Wyatt, yes. Thank you, Govern. Thank you. All right, moving on. Elizabeth

outside of county general 2100 adult user fee 155101 probation officer positive 574 173 health insurance negative 3,280 174 disability insurance positive $6 310 professional services positive2700 Total transfer zero. Move to approve. Second motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Comments or questions? Do you want me to explain any of that?

So the uh 574 for probation officer. What is that, please? So I also handed you a copy of the salary schedule. So according to the salary schedule, a probation officer that receives their master's degree after five years of service, they receive a 5% increase in their salary. I was not aware that this uh probation officer was getting their master's degree. Um and her anniversary date was October 12th. That's when she had her five years. So I did not have it budgeted. That will get us through the end of the year. And then next year I'll have to budget for next year at some point. So 5% increase for the rest of this year is that $574. And what goes into uh your professional services, please?

That is for [snorts] a grant that we receive every year for our probation kiosk. We receive it in the fall, but we never received the funding until last year. We got it in February. So we have to cover those invoices. And each invoice uh is I think 1350. And so this gets us through the end of the year. And I may have to come back and do this again. Then next year I'll have to do a major transfer and transfer the funds back into our user fee from the grant. I did this last year as well. And that $6 is because insurance was not rated correctly. So I have to cover $6. Further questions and comments.

And you had people leave. Is that why you have a a credit? No. our health insurance, we always um we always kind of increased it by 10%. It's what we were always told to do in order to cover any increases. So, we had money in there to cover the extra. Thank you. You're welcome. Shouldn't need to do that next year, right? Unless rates increase or people get family and go from family to, you know, if people move around, that's the only reason why we'd have to appropriate anything. Further comments or questions? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Flang, yes. Mr. Cues, yes. Mr. Piper, yes. Mr. Ole, yes. Mr. Buck, yes. Mr. Can Yes. Mr. Wyatt, yes.

Thank you. Thank you. [clears throat] 1,200 247 public defender supplemental 240 other supplies positive $51.332 postage and freight negative $266.33 rental lease building positive $215 total transfer transfer zero move to approve second motion by Jessica second by Dan what's your rental lease. It's a storage unit we have and our rates were increased in the middle of the year this year.

Okay. I think we had that discussion already once, didn't we? Other questions or comments? Tell me again why we have a um the rental on this lease. I mean, don't we have enough don't we have enough space in the counties? We have got rent space.

We have our Ren, I'm sorry. Shelley Harvey public defenders office. We have files that we have to keep. We're more electronic now, but the files from the past uh are kept for x amount of years. Um their appeals, their their PCR petitions, those all have to be passed and dead. So, we have a unit completely full of file cabinets and boxes of files. Uh, when an at when a public defender has left our employee, they literally we've c we quit taking their boxes back from them, but they would literally bring carloads of boxes back to us of their files that were dead. We do not have the resources to go through and clean out files that could be I think we would still need the storage unit, but it's it is a ma it's going to be a massive undertaking to try to eliminate the files that are in our storage facility.

So, where is this storage facility? It is out uh on Granville, which was pretty much when we were downtown it was convenient, but it's a storage express uh on Granville heading toward like the mall area. Gran Thank you. Granville and Streeter. Did you want to address something? I just wanted to comment. Okay. I guess I still don't understand. How many of these storage units do we have? One. And I don't understand why.

That's for the public defenders. The clerk's office has a has a storage um trailer or whatever they call it. I think as well. So, yeah, there's more than just the public defenders, but we don't have any other room in the county for the storage. It's probably left to be determined. Um, I will tell you that the clerk has files in our maintenance area that is not up to standard that they're having to fix right now. And so we we have no storage out there. No storage in the jail. No, we we fought over storage when we moved in there.

And so all the clerk files that came from here down there is in the maintenance area which was built out and not built out correctly. So now they're under the gun fixing that. And then the storage container that was bought by the clerk is on site out in the back part of the parking lot behind the parking lot behind the building which is a storage container. So I guess my last question would be uh what do you how are you running this for $215? It is. It went from $140 a month to $195 a month. So during the middle of the year, this is an overage. Yeah. I'm sorry. This is an overage,

correct? Yes. They raised our rates. So I had to move money into that supplemental account to pay for the unit the rest of the year.

These files used to be kept underneath Acute. Um, and when Acutch bought the building, because it was community corrections and uh, we were in the basement and in a cage and when Acute bought the building, they gave us very little time um, to get our things moved out. So, we we got the storage unit and community corrections helped move the everything from the cage uh to the storage unit because we were under the gun. We had to get someplace to put these files. And at that point, we were still here at the at this justice center and there was absolutely no place in in that justice center to to put a room full of files basically. And we even have a file room in our office out at the justice center for the most recent files. Uh I go to the storage unit actually quite often when uh a defendant wants to file postconviction relief petition or the state public defender wants to file it on their behalf. I go to the storage unit and go through file cabinets and boxes um to try to find files for the for the people who are in prison. uh that want access to their documents.

Want to ask you wish we left but how much square footage are you talking about? It's the typical size 15 by 30 probably 15 by 20 20 and it has it has uh filing cabinets that that line three walls and then go down the center and then on top of the filing cabinets are banker's boxes full of files. I I guess u thinking is there a way you could make a couple containers work or would that be cost effective? I think I I think I could make maybe one container work.

Well, I mean the big ones are they're a little bit 8 and 1/2 or 8 foot wide, 40 foot long is a big one. And then they come in 8 foot change. And I think uh when Rick bought his I think he it was like $5,000 and that's why I was wondering if it could be cost effective

and well especially since and I am going to contact the storage facility um I when I I contacted the company that owns it and said you know we were not notified that our rates were going up and they said why don't you contact your local this has just been in the last three weeks weeks, why don't you contact your local office and see if they'll give you guys a break because the money is automatic every month for them. They don't have to chase us down for the money or anything like that. So, I'm hoping maybe they'll give us a break. So, I would have to do the math as far as storage. Uh could you uh as the maybe look into that and work with commissioners,

whoever assume it's commissioner Brown out there, not the sheriff's, but look into that and all your fine. This does come out of our supplemental funds. It's not out of county general. So, still Yeah. Yeah. We toyed around with that, our chief public defender and I and our board. Okay. Back to the transfer in front of us. Any other questions? Gavin, want to comment on it or

I just Gavin Green Delaware County Corner. Um, we went to get a quote to Mr. Mo's why we have a storage facility. We have a whole entire office, the coroner's office does that has files. We went to get a quote to have those all digitized so we could give that space back to the county building. And that cost was $782,000. So, and that was the same company that was currently doing the um scanning for the recorder office. And while they were on site, I said, "This would be a great time to get a deal. If you're already here, just come across the hall." And they gave us that quote. And I said, "Yep, that office is just fine with that paper." So the the $200 a month because I tried to look at the return on investment if we were to buy a ConX box or or something and that paper is just fine in that extra office over there. So I just wanted to give you kind of a a lot of us are trying to go digitized, but also the cost. It's not cost-effective to do that. So that's just what I wanted to make my comment about.

We could buy three scanners for that cost. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Further questions regarding the transfer in front of us? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Blang, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Spiper, yes. Mr. Mo, yes. Bug, yes. Mr. G, yes. Wy, yes. Thank you. Moving on to appropriations. Disposal

outside of County General 252 pre-trial diversion 19810 part-time 30,160 171 FICA 2,38 173 health insurance uh 1,400 342 workers compensation insurance 376 for a total of 34,244. Move to approve. Second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Lisa, do you want to give us a little explanation on this, please?

Yes. Lisa Carr, prosecutor's office. Um, we currently have a part-time person coming out of the LIT budget that is covering for someone that is out for surgery right now. She's an experienced person. Um, we did not budget anything out of county general or let next year for part-time. Um, we do have someone that's going to need maternity leave this year. The person I have right now is wonderful. She used to work in our office full-time. We don't want to lose her. So, this is outside of County General. We would like to bring money in to pay her this year or for next year. Um, I spoke to the auditor's office. We can do a transfer now to get her through till the January council meeting and then at that time we I'm not sure if it'll be a transfer or an appro appropriation to um add her at that time. the FICA um and the workman's comp is part of that salary line and the health insurance is a shortage that we have in our health insurance.

Questions or comments? Do you think you have the health insurance problem solved for next year? Yes. I know we've had a lot of issues with that this year. Absolutely. Not just you. Other questions or comments? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Flang, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Piper, yes. Mr. Mole, [clears throat] yes. Mr. Bugout, yes. Mr. Gance, yes. Mr. Yes. I'd like to thank the prosecutor's office and the auditor's office for working on this to find a solution. Thank you all.

Moving on. Elizabeth 1,200 247 public defender supplemental 173 health insurance 25,666 for a total of 25,666. Move to approve. Second motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Questions. All right. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Swingham? Yes. Mr. Hughes? Yes. Spiper? Yes, Mr. Spoke. Yes, Mr. Spa. Yes, Mr. Can. Yes, Mr. Whead. Yes. Thank you. Welcome, Elizabeth.

255. Jury fee 390. Other services and charges 10,000 for a total of 10,000. Move to approve. Second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Comments or questions for Emily? Just brief explanation, please.

Sure. Emily Anderson, court administrator. If you remember at budget time, I gave back some of my um money out of jury trial or jury fee uh out of the general budget saying, "Hey, our jury trials have kind of backed off a little bit. Uh I'm starting to get a little worried just because our trials have been a roller coaster this year and they're kind of ramping back up. Although we only have a month and a half left. We have three trials going this week if that gives you an idea. Um so I just want to make sure I have enough. I have enough in my jury fee fund to cover. Um, and that's why I reduced it in the main main budget because I knew I had money in my jury fee fund. So, I'm just putting 10,000 in there just to make sure we have enough to cover through end of year. Thank you. Yep. Further questions or comments? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Langen, yes. Mr. Hughes,

yes. Mr. Spiper, yes. Mr. Mole, yes. Mr. Bugout, yes. Mr. Can, yes. Mr. Wy, yes. Thank you. Moving on, Elizabeth. 1224 reassessment 171 FICA 922 172 PEF 639 173 health insurance 2,336 174 life insurance 31 for a total of 3,928. Move to approve. Second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Any comments or questions? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Langan,

yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Miss Piper, yes. Mr. Smoke, yes. Mr. Bugout, yes. Can Yes. Miss Wy, yes. Motion to approve financial transfers and to amend salary ordinance with like reductions. Second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. Roll call. Miss Blanken. Yes. M. Hughes? Yes. Yes. Rookout? Yes. Miss Piper? Yes. Can yes. Yes. On the back side of your appropriations is the backfilling report. Motion to receive the back fill report. Second.

Motion by Matt, second by Dan. Any comments? Roll call, please. Mr. Langen. Yes. Mr. Hughes. Yes. Mr. Mogel. Yes. Mr. Pot. Yes. Mr. Piper. Yes. Mr.

Cany. Yes. All right, moving on to ordinances and resolutions. The first one that is listed there is ordinance 2025-26 and is named the name that I had at the time salary ordinance administration and it currently reads an ordinance fixing schedules of compensation and position for elected officials appointed positions and employees of Delaware County, Indiana for the calendar year beginning January 1, 2026 and ending December 31, 2026. I'd like to have council enter this in for first reading. I have a motion for first reading.

I'll second. Motion by Jessica, second by Dan. We have comments or questions. [clears throat] Sure. Um, basically this is just uh outline to clarifying that the council is going to be the one to approve and the auditor's office will prepare all of the salary information concerning the ordinance. So, it's just clear stating what what that would be and when it's supposed to take place.

And this follows Indiana code, correct? Correct. We got to take away sir. Any questions or comments currently? So this is this is going to it's very brief but ultimately beginning um where we've been provided a compensation table which is all of the roles of the county that are salaried or that are paid employees of the county. That'll be exhibit one of this ordinance which just basically is a redundant um ordinance that stipulates this is what people are going to get paid from our budget which was already been approved. Correct.

Yeah. We had not been doing this I don't think for the last couple years it sounds like which we we should have been doing. So um again I think it is redundant but ultimately that's what's required. So now will this uh document need to be updated to the 24 pay would when we're doing the 27 if they if the commissioner decided to go with 24 pay per 27 okay then we would make the adjustments at that point right I just want to piggy back what Matt said it is redundant because all this information if not already submitted through the budget can be determined from the budget by state so that's just my two cents on it

have the office holders and department heads had access to this to double check make sure we haven't missed anybody. Well, they have access it came out of the budget so had access to the budget but not this actual docs. I would think maybe before we adopt it next month maybe they ought to take that time to make sure there are extra copies. Tanya has extras there. So if you need a electronic copy we can send those out. Good. Thank you. Is this pulled straight from um PIP or open? Yes, open gov. Yes. Okay.

Which is what we used for the budget. So it's the same data. All right. Further comments, questions. All right. Roll call for introduction. Miss Blanket. Yes. Mr. Hughes. Yes. Mr. Mole. Yes. Rout. Yes. Miss. Piper. Yes. Mr. Camp. Yes. Mr. Wy. Yes. All right, we'll move on to ordinance 2025-25, an ordinance defining terms and establishing procedures for hiring and implementing salaries for county employees excluding the merit officers. And this is second reading. I'll move to approve for second reading. I'll second.

Your next motion would be Your next motion would be to adopt. Okay. So, hold on. Okay. [clears throat] like to amend your motion? Yes, I'll amend that. And I'll second the amendment the motion. Yeah. I mean, just take a roll call on the motion [clears throat] to adopt and then you can have discussion. All right. Roll call on the motion to adopt. Mangan. Yes. Mr. Hughes. No, I'm I'm sorry. There's been a motion in a second. You'll have discussion and then you'll vote. Okay. I apologize. [laughter]

What is it Monday? All right. So, we have a motion to adopt by Jessica, second by Dan. We do have two parts that were introduced last month. One was section nine, I believe, by Commissioner Brand who spoke about it. Yeah. Sorry. Are there any comments or questions regarding that section?

No. Then there's been no change since that first reading. This is the adjustment to the part-time classification level. um adjusting the pay rate um u metric range from 12 to $20 per hour. Um so nothing has shifted for that. And then the other piece was section 7 which has been reset to what was in the ordinance at the last approval. So we've gone back there's been no no adjustments to section seven at this time. Um Ed, myself, uh Councilman Whitehead, uh Josh from HR, um maybe Commissioner Brandt will be meeting later today to uh review the salary ordinance in totality because there are when I was going through this, there are other issues with things not being followed or being outlined in this ordinance that are not actually in practice. And so we were going to review that in more detail, but today we would like to approve the part-time change just to uh so that there's no um issues with with pay for part-time folks that they may be bringing on board. So does everybody follow along with that? Section seven is returned to what it was prior to introducing the edits. We're only discussing section 9. Comments or questions? [clears throat] Section seven goes back the way we used to do it. Right.

Correct. The the back filling procedure that was previously approved. But we're not approving that today or we are that part of it approving the change back to what it was. You mean effectively section 7 would remain unchanged. It's highlighted because it was highlighted previously. But that is the that is the section 7 that was approved about a year ago when the back filling procedure went in place which was the last time section 7 has been amended. The amendments that that's not what we're doing now though. We're only

this is that it has to go to finance committee before a vacancy is posted. We don't do that now. Right. That's one adjustment that has to be made. But we need to update multiple other parts of that and we are collectively working with the auditor and HR to get those corrected. Currently, it's not being followed the way that it's written. That is true. And there's other sections of this ordinance that it may also have issues like that, but we don't have the final language established yet. Well, then I I is it ready for adoption? That's my question.

Go ahead, M. I think his point was the the the the copy that was printed includes the language with finance committee, not the original language from previously that had been previously adopted. I think that's his point. Your intent was to go back to the back filling language that was yes approved about a year ago. Correct. Uh this version that was printed is the version that was introduced last month, not the version that I sent you that had the uh didn't even look at it. I thought it was the exact one you sent me. I'm sorry. Um, well then this is not correct.

But I mean, you have the ability to edit as much as you want today. So, I think you can make clear with your vote that you're not changing section 7 and then before we sign the ordinance, we'll get the correct language in here. So we are essentially approving only a change to section N. That's that was Mr. Can's position. Correct. Yes. Do you understand that Bill?

I do and I have no objection to the change to section N. But I I really don't like going back to the way we backfill requiring office holders and department heads to go to the finance committee before they post a position. That can that can mean two months that a position might be vacant. Right. If we go back to the language that is not in there. Are you comfortable with that bill? So my Yeah. My vote will be to approve the change to section 9. I'm in agreeance with that. Yeah. I think we all are. I'm not going to speak for the rest of them. Yes.

Yes. All right. So, do we need to amend the motion? Do we need to amend the motion? So, it specifically talks about section 9. Just for abundance of caution and clarity. Okay. I would suggest that you make very clear that despite the copy in front of you containing the proposed uh changes from last month that section seven will not be amended only section 9 will be amended and then we'll get the the prior copy with section seven without the amendments printed for final signature.

Yeah. And to be clear, the one that Ben had sent does not have that finance language in it. So we will have that adjusted. I do need to make that amendment. All right. Then I will amend my motion to adopt with only changing section nine. I have a second. Just curious should we mention that we are leaving section seven alone for clarity or not? That only section. Okay. All right. So we have an amended motion. Is everybody comfortable with that?

Yes. So, you will take a vote to approve the uh ordinance with only section 9 being adopted or being changed. Correct. Roll call, please. Mr. Flangen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Mogul, yes. Mr. Bookout, yes. Mr. Piper, yes. Mr. Scans, yes. Mr. Wahhead,

yes. Thank you. and Matt look forward to seeing what this committee brings about on the rest of it. All right, moving on to resolution 2025-25, resolution of the Delaware County, Indiana County Council approving lease for real property pursuant to Indiana code 36-1-11- C3C2. Motion to a motion by Bill. Second. Second by Dan.

Comments or questions regarding the lease agreement. One, just for clarification, county council uh I've been advised by our attorney is required to approve lease agreements when the dollar amount exceeds what is it 25,000 be annual payments that exceed 25,000 in any given year. So that's the reason it's here. And this lease has already been approved by the commissioners. Is that correct? Yes. Yes. Back in October. Okay.

I uh I don't know who actually drafted the lease. Um, I think there are some very good things in here to protect the county. It is a triple net lease, which means that the tenant is going to take care of most expenses, although the county will still be responsible for structure and HVAC, which is [clears throat] very common with a triple net lease. Um there is a uh waiver of liability provision that protects the county from uh certain types of claims. Uh there is also an indemnification provision where the tenant is going to indemnify the county and there is a waiver of subregation provision which means that if somebody makes a claim and is paid by the tenants insurance that insurance camp company can't come back against the county. So there some very good provisions in there. Um, I agree with the public comment. I think this is a win-win for the county.

Other comments? I'd like further clarifi clarification on a triple net lease. I've never heard of a triple net lease. Uh, at least my experiences being in business. Triple net lease means that the tenant pays for everything including HVAC. Well, is it can be it is defined more clearly in here, but um it is not unusual for when it says triple knees, you're talking about taxes, insurance, and maintenance. Correct.

Uh to limit maintenance to to routine maintenance uh as opposed to structural issues um which [clears throat] typically would be the landlord's responsibility. Again, my experience is typically that is not either way. Sometimes it's a tenants responsibility, sometimes the landlord. Commissioner Bran's here, he might speak to that.

Well, while he's coming to the podium, uh, I would like to comment that if the certified area does happen to get reserveyed, reme-measured, that the new certified area does get brought back to council. is just information only because that does adjust the uh rent payment.

I understand. So, a triple net lease in commercial terms in in the spirit of this lease agreement means that the tenant will pay what the landlord would normally pay in terms of property taxes, insurance, and maintenance. That's about as high level as I can explain it. So, in this particular lease, they're responsible for everything uh with exception of what uh Councilman Hughes explained. So, it puts the burden of maintenance, property taxes, and insurance on the tenant. It's called a NNN, a triple net lease. So, Commissioner, I should have asked you this earlier, but this is a for-profit entity, not a nonprofit. That's

it is a for-profit entity, and the county will be receiving rent lease payments for it, and they will be responsible for the property taxes. There'll be new property taxes generated on the property. That's correct. Thank you. Further questions or comments regarding Yeah, I do want to comment on the back. Much as I'd love to sign this twice, uh Brad is missing from the signature portion. We do have that and the date should be the 18th. Mr. Can's name should have two T's. So, we got some What was the right word you used earlier as far as Scrier's errors? Scrier's errors. Okay.

Bill, would you like for your signature to say Bill or William because that is also included in the area? Either way, those are not vital to the lease at hand. Further comments or questions regarding the resolution? All right. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Blanken, yes. Mr. Hughes. Yes. Mr. Mo, yes. Rookout, yes. Miss Piper, yes. Yes. Yes.

All right. Thank you all. Moving on to appointments and committee reports. Matt, you have job description compensation committee you would like to have on the agenda?

Uh, yeah. Although I don't have a ton of reports just yet because I we are meeting this afternoon on the salary ordinance. Um the the section seven changes I mentioned earlier. Um I have gotten from HR an outline of the new uh PI form, the personal information form process. We'll review that with with Ted's office uh on that and payroll. Make sure those are cleaned up. um the job description and compensation committee um for changes to job descriptions for ads to new jobs um that that require a new description. We're going to shift that a little bit and and make it so that HR is is managing that that initial review and and creation of the job descriptions and and the compensation um components. they'll bring he'll bring that to our committee for review when when necessary and then um and then that'll get approved by the broader council as has been the case currently. Um we just want to put that in writing into part of the process for filling uh vacant positions and so we're going to work through some of that today. Um that's really the only update I have right now. All right. Thank you. The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission asked to have a moment to speak. So, you ladies would like to come forward, please.

Good morning, Council Amber Green. I'm the president of the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission. Throughout the year, we've been giving updates. I think somewhere around quarterly. I think I was here in June or July. So, I have an update for what the commission has done since I was here last. Um, we've [clears throat] assisted Yorktown with a drainage project near Kamak. If you have ever been out there in the past, you will know that that area floods terribly. That was something that took multiple months coming before us. And we were able to assist uh their town manager, Chase Brutin, and that project is currently underway. Um, we assisted county highway with funding for paving of Fuse and Road. Um there was a proposal by the city for an interlocal agreement with a 12 acre site that was donated to the city by Ball State University. Um it is a housing development for 42 homes that will all be valued at $450,000 plus. They were asking the commission to go in in a draw down approach equal to the myy redevelopment commission and we did agree to do that. That was a $47,200 commitment and we are last in in that project. It started, it's slated to begin sometime in the spring of 2026. So, that was one of my personal favorites. I think bringing housing out into the county and the city is beneficial and having both of us work together was great. Um, we finalized an interlocal agreement with Daleville. Some of you may be aware that a couple years ago the redevelopment commission signed over the control of the Daleville tiff to the town of Daleville. um with not a lot of foresight being involved there. So, we have a new interlocal agreement with Daleville to retain 20% of that tiff for the county for when the redevelopment commission is doing countywide projects and we spread the cost amongst various tiffs. So, we will be retaining 20% of that and then Daleville will have the 80% after other commitments are made throughout the year. Um, we gave $30,000 to the Muny

Delaware County Senior Center for water damage and roof repair. And the last thing that we just approved in invoices at our meeting last week, if you remember correctly, we had an interlocal agreement with the city of Muny to expand the boundaries of the Make My Move program. That originally was just the city limits and we expanded it to any Muny address within Delaware County. We have moved four movers because of that expansion. So, we paid the city for that expansion and all of those movers purchased homes as opposed to renting. Whereas, previously before we had this interlocal agreement, we were sitting right around a 92% rental rate with Make My Move. So, now we're seeing more home purchases. But that's the update I have. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.

Thank you. Questions or comments? Thank you for being here. Thank you. Mr. Can go ahead. I was just going to say while we're talking about uh appointments, we do want to remind folks if they're interested in applying for any of our open board appointments that they'll want to get in contact with. Do we have a specific email address we're using? Okay. Okay. So, it's all on our website if you're interested. Thank you for that, Jessica. Mr. Can said the it

Yeah. real quick. Um we have been working through the uh Google Workspace trial with with um a handful of departments. Um thank you for those that have been joining some of the calls update calls. Uh we're working with Google now to try to get an updated proposal for 2026. Um couple goals associated with that. obviously um expansion of of tools available to county employees to use um for you know through Google that we don't currently have today through Microsoft. Um Google just on paper has you know much more options for for tools to be utilized internally uh at a lower cost than than Microsoft Office 365 which we haven't really moved to yet. Um but the biggest one is around our exchange server, our email server. Um which is going to require an expansion of size. Um it's outdated. It needs to be upgraded. Um and probably poses some other challenges that that I'm not even really aware of. But moving to uh Google would also get us off of that physical server um and put our mail out into the cloud. So we are reviewing that. There's been no contract established, nothing planned yet, and even if something were to be established, it would be a transition over the course of the next 12 months that uh that would probably occur. So, just giving an update on where where that stands.

Thank you. Any other committees like to give a report? All right, hearing none. Moving on to old business, county line of credit. President Pulk, you have information to present to us. [clears throat] Good morning, U Repul Treasure. Um, so we have, um, I've basically done some research and back back research on some of this. Um, I spoke with, uh, Council Person Piper the other night uh, on this as well. Um, as well as some of the other uh, finance committee members. And with this um, I got from the from the from the bank, it was Star Bank, Star Financial Bank. um that it should be basically once we make application it would be a 2 to 4 week process to do this. Um the there is a cost involved um initial application cost um somewhere between 2 and 4,000 depending on how much we borrow or how much we want the line of credit to be. [clears throat] And um so we just I'm guessing we just need to figure out do we go ahead and do it now and incur the cost and we might not need it or do we wait and see where we are 6 months into the next year. um see how much we need because that's going to determine the initial cost. And then the other only other cost would be uh the interest that we incur during the time that we have um that we borrow the money for and it's

only on the amount that we borrow. So if we have a $3 million limit and we only do a million, we're only paying interest on the million dollars. So, um I guess just kind of looking um wanting to see what you guys want you you the council wants to do uh on this and then I can move forward on that. Um you know we can work work through it see what kind of limit we need uh what kind of line we need on that and we can go from there. So to be clear this is for emergency line of credit. Yes. This is not required. we were just, you know, this was discussion during budget on right um having it available um god forbid that we actually need it. So,

right. Um and then I had asked you kind of um you know what are the criteria for what amount we would want to have a line of credit available? Is it you know to cover payroll for you know two a month? Is it you know what what that margin is? You said it's probably between two and three million. Yeah. Yeah. would be a good number. I would I would think so. I I can't imagine um we would need much more than that. I mean, I don't think that uh you know, to do an 8 million, it's it's going to double the cost probably initially and it's on the review. It's probably going to be an additional week.

Those fees associated with that. Are there like closing fees? basically it's closing fees and and for them to get um you know obviously they're they're taking their money that they're making money on and so that's going to be where is STAR the only one we would bid that out to. Um I have had talks with First Merchants. Um and those are the only two I mean because those are the two local banks that my office uses. Okay. Um and and basically it's about the same. um merchants is a little higher upfront. Okay. Um cost are going to be about the same. Sorry. I think it's valid to you know that question of when

is really what you're asking. Right. Right. I mean you know if if we determine say in August that we need something it would probably be actually um we would need to get started on that the month before that. Yeah. And what they are requesting um is cash statements um and then also this year's 2026 budget. They want to kind of see where where we at are at. And is the term open-ended in terms of how long we can keep it.

Um I most of those are fiveyear and then they review it after five. Um but I can double check on that to see exactly what the terms. I have a meeting actually with Starbank a at 11 o'clock today. So I can ask that. May I just to give you an idea where we were at um right before advanced draw. Tell us who you are.

Oh, I'm sorry. Tanya Dunmore, chief deputy auditor. Um where we were at cash balance-wise. You guys like to keep a $6 million um cash balance on hand in order to cover everything. Before the advanced draw, we had a payout. We had a departmental twoe claim payout plus a payroll both hit and it took us to 3.9. So just to give you a rough idea, I mean we did advanced draw that deposited within 3 days I think from this is since the beginning of November. Mhm. Yeah. Y within the last couple

but prior to the d advanced draw uh making the deposit you know what I mean into what our portion is we are at 3.9 after the end of October it says we were down about five five and a half so well the first week of November those two big things hit gotcha okay comments questions discussion from council

seems ironic to me that we passed a budget and uh I know we had some discussion in regards to uh getting a line of credit, but it is my opinion for what it was worth that I thought that the council uh was very comfortable in passing the budget and seemingly did not think that we needed at at that particular point in time uh any need. We didn't have any need for this uh line of credit. So, I just I guess maybe a little more clarification if I could, please. We're just getting information. I think it was justformational gathering that uh some of the council members asked for.

Yeah. Um I I I think we were in agreement. I'll speak for you at this case that we are against getting a loan paying interest. You and I are. Well, I mean, you know, we're having this discussion. So obviously there must be uh some thought of the possible need. I'm just again asking for more comments from from the council.

Well, I I'll just speak for myself which was um not having that available emergency fund. If you know we do keep a cash balance, we are cash um clear in terms of covering our our expenses for 2026 as it appears on paper today. Um however, we have almost zero emergency fund money available. So I know in speaking to Don and and others, I mean we have, you know, buildings in disrepair. We've got other factors that could occur that, you know, from a emergency standpoint could could could rear up. So that this was more of a fallback need or a fallback um request to just have available. Again the timing is probably you know the question in my mind because we [clears throat] you know our our 2027 28 you know component we don't know what's going to be happening with any of that. So uh this was more for again if the roof caved in you know what would we do basically we'd have to go borrow money probably. So what's that require and is it something that we could cover in an emergency. So that was just the my thought from many several months ago that we when we were talking about this and then we asked Brad to review it. How much is it going to be? What can we get? What should we look at? That's the information he's trying to provide today.

And I'll agree it doesn't hurt to have this in our, you know, our information that it is available and and going through the paperwork he did to have it available. I mean the timing is what he said. I mean it's a 30-day process. So, god forbid something happens, you know, you know, having it now or in, you know, the next few months or next year or whatever from a timing standpoint wouldn't be the worst thing. I guess I was surprised we didn't have one to be honest with you. if nothing else, just from a having it available. And I guess looking at it from what Tanya just said, I would think that if uh something major hit, we would have enough money to cover it to apply for it then and have the 30 days per.

So I wouldn't think we'd want to apply for it till we the emergency happened because I think we have enough in our to cover for the 30 days in my opinion at this point. subject to change obviously. I mean, I think as a a council and sitting on finance, we we're really paying attention to those numbers and those balances. So, I think we would know in ample time if we're getting to that point. I hate to to do something and not need it, but if we see a trend, then we know have the information now to make those decisions. So, I thank you for the additional

You're welcome. One one other thing that that I would I would probably suggest is to go ahead and get the data to them to where they have the budget, they have the cash statement. That way we're not, you know, trying to get that to them. Let them go ahead and not not get started. That way it's not costing us anything. I don't want to spend out2 to $4,000 and then we not need it. I mean, every every dollar counts. I mean, uh, and so, I mean, but if we can get some of the preliminary stuff to, um, whomever is going to do, whichever bank is going to do it. Um, that wouldn't be any cost to us. So, that wouldn't be any cost. I'm not against that.

Okay. So, I will just need to get with Ed and get that. Bill, Brad, do you have comments, discussion? My my comment is that uh, thank you Brad first for the gathering information. Sure.

Um I know I think balances in the tiff districts are like over $20 million. Um annual bond payments are between4 to7 million out of those accounts. So there is ability if there was an emergency that we could work with the county redevelopment commission to do something and not cost the county money to borrow. So that's my immediate thought. I don't think this is necessary to do. Um second thought is I'm not a fan of Starbank. Um, so, uh, I know the county redevelopment commission had worked with them prior on a bond issuance and they denied an early payoff that would save the county potentially, Eugene, you were on the board at that time, save the county potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars. And so, I would prefer First Merchants over Starbank just due to a previous relationship issue there, but for the county on county behalf, but yeah, that's kind of where that's where I'm at. Bill, do you have any comments?

I I agree with Brad [clears throat] and I wonder too if there are there any short-term funding sources through the state of Indiana or do are we limited to go through a private bank? Pretty much we're limited. Yeah. I mean, if we wanted to do a bond, then you have the Indiana Bond Bank, but um other than that, there's really not any no provision for short-term borrowing. Right. Right. Thank you. What is council's thoughts on the treasur's request to send information to bank or banks? I don't have a problem. It's public record anyway,

right? Yeah, I I don't have a problem with that, but it was uh a little enlightening what Brad just said that there's money we could probably exchange for a while. And I would agree that in my opinion, I don't think we need to go ahead and apply and spend the money to have the line of credit, but it is good to have all this information in our pockets. So that way we know how long it takes, what it's going to cost, and if there is an emergency, we do have at least the avenue there. Right. Okay. Does that give you enough to go forward? Brad,

yes. Yeah. I can uh send that out to both um both banks that we we use locally um here. I mean all our all the tax money goes into Star all the checking accounts and all that as merchants. So I mean that's why I picked you know those are the two local ones we we work with. So all righty. Thank you. All right. Thank you Brad. You're welcome. I don't have any other business on the agenda. Does anybody else have any bring forward? And no new business. All right, moving on to public comment. Bar, do you know if anybody signed up out there? Good look, please.

Mr. Rick, would you like time to speak again?

Yes. [clears throat] again, Ricky Yenser, newsman, author. Um, I saw um gathering last week with Larry Dbor, the economist from Purdue that's an expert on taxes and he had some revelations about what this government did or what the legislature did to local government and public schools. uh he seemed to think that this uh Senate bill and I got DLGF numbers that show it I don't think you're going to lose anything till maybe 27th and then I listened to some lawmakers up in Fort Wayne not too long ago who said we're going to change it anyway and you just said that you had 3.9 million in cash you got 20 million in tip uh when you're spending money on high-end and housing. That sounds like socialism to me, but it's really socialism when you're paying people to come live here. But regardless of that, Larry de Board had a couple revelations that that Senate bill uh helped the rich, but it punished the poor. That people with uh housing that's below value might have to pay more than the rich that already pay, you know, a token if they've got a half a million or a million dollar home. I would suggest that you read what Dbor wrote on that tax bill and then pay attention here to what lawmakers are going to do because as I know government's got money. They got all the money in the world. They've got our money. And just with taxes here lately, uh the noise I get from people on social media is that it's the assessment. It doesn't matter what you spend or what you do. It's a matter of

what the assessor increases the value of property uh both land and personal property every year. That's what's killing this community along with too many not for profits that don't pay property taxes. I just found the other day another big uh property downtown, the old commercial club where Jack's Camera operated years uh ago has been bought by a not for profofit. So maybe you should do something about that along with the biggest employers in town that don't pay taxes, property taxes, the hospital and the university. And thank you for your time.

Thank you. Anyone else from the public would like to speak? Right. Seeing none comments from councel. I'd like to thank Matt for all the work he's put into the salary and the effort that he's done. It's Yman's effort and Eugene and everybody. Thank you. Anyone else?

Have a great Thanksgiving. I mean, it's going to be here before you know it, which is crazy. Well, while everybody is being thankful and spending time with family, just keep Corporal Reynolds family in mind and the entire sheriff's department and all of our public safety officials because you know they're going to be out there missing time on Thanksgiving Day. Yes. Entertain a motion to adjourn. So move. Second. Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.