County Council - Regular Meeting

Good morning and welcome to the Delaware County Council meeting this December 16th, 2025 at 9:00 am. If you'd all stand with me for the pledge. Nancy, would you lead, please? 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, Nancy. All righty. Roll call, please. Present. Present. Present. Hughes here. Yes. Sper

present. Freeman here. Thank you. Is the agenda posted correctly? Yes. Thank you. I entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Matt. Roll call. Yes. Yes. Yes. Lookout. Yes. Sper. Yes. Yes. Moving on to November's minutes.

Motion to approve. I have to second everything today because she's not here. Yeah, [laughter] somebody does. Please. Thank you. Second. Thank you, Dan. A motion by Dan, a second by Matt. There were just a few minor details that Marissa cleaned up. I believe overall the intent was there. Any other comments or questions? Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Spy. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Moving on to the transfer and appropriation agenda. Elizabeth,

starting in County General 123 courts 171 FICA positive $75 173 health insurance positive $722. Oh, sorry. 172 PEF positive $722. 173 health insurance positive $380.94 174 life insurance42 175 disability insurance positive $163 211 office supplies negative $99.96 310 professional services negative $76740 323 Three transportation 2908 536 equipment negative $141.50 total transfer zero

motion to approve second motion by Ann [clears throat] second by Matt comments or questions. Did you move my microphone again? [laughter] Well, I feel like it's weird. You want it over there? It's weird because it's in people's faces where you can actually hear them. That's the best things. Not that we can't hear you. Trust me. Uh questions for Emily hearing none. Roll call. Mang. Yes. Yes. Yes. Mat. Yes. Vance. Yes. Want. Yes. Thank you. There we go. Elizabeth.

All right. 139 public defender. 113 attorney fees county employee positive $10,000 310 professional services negative $10,000 total transfer zero motion to approve second [clears throat] motion by Dan second by Matt Brad you're in charge of second questions or comments sorry go ahead Matt this was not on our finance committee correct

do you want to just go over this real quick surely Sure. Uh Shelley Harvey, public defenders office. Uh we have just ran out of funds in our public defender fund. U you gave us uh money midy year and it didn't make it our we had more than enough in our contractual or professional services. So we moved over there. We've had um expensive trials and expensive appeals and just we have a trial going on right now. So this will cover that also.

What what pay what's paid out of professional services typically? Oh, the that is contract attorneys where we have to uh hire outside contra attorneys for conflicts when we have two like four or five uh codefendants and it's also when our attorneys uh have exceeded their limit of cases that they're allowed to take according to the public defender commission. Thank you. Further questions or comments? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Plankton, yes. Yes. Sperm.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you for allowing me to slide in here. You're welcome. Moving on to others outside of County General. Elizabeth. All right. 1222 statewide 911 171 FICA negative $3,000 uh 1771 175 disability positive $3,000 total transfer zero motion to approve second motion by Dan second by Bill any questions or comments roll call please yes yes Spider Mobile. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Fire. Yes. Thank you. All right. 124 693 reassessment 140 board members appeal negative $100 176 longevity positive $100 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan. I heard Jim first. Second by Jim. Questions or comments? Just due to an omission on that line item that we needed to clear up. Any other questions or comments? None. Roll call, please. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Chance. Yes. Yes. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Elizabeth 2100214 adult user fees 173 health insurance $1,000 323 transportation positive $1,000 total transfer zero motion to approve second motion by Dan second by Bill Questions or comments hearing none roll call please yes Mr. Yes. Fiverr. Yes. Yes. Yes.

Go ahead. [clears throat] Yes. 1195 509 high-tech crime unit 175 disability insurance positive 225 323 transportation negative 225 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan. Second by Bill. Questions, comments? Hearing? None. Roll call, please. Wang, yes. Yes. Spiver. Yes. Yes. Yes. W.

Yes. Thank you. Moving on to the next one. Please. 9214 Ball Brothers High-Tech Unit 393 Conferences and Training 4,3548 443 software and equipment positive43548 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Bill. Comments or questions? None. Roll call, please. Mr. Fang, yes. Mr. Ste, yes. Sper, yes. Yes. Mr. Yes. Yes.

Thanks, Chad. Was it on? 11:35400 cumulative bridge 126 overtime positive 10,000 173 health insurance 10,000 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Bill. comments or questions? Will this cover all your overtime? It will. I believe that we're going to have some left over. Um I've patted it a little bit just because I don't want to get to the end of the year and not be able to pay our employees. Good idea. Further comments or questions? None. Roll call, please. Mr. Swag. Yes.

Yes. Sperog. Yes. Yes. Chance. Yes. Wyatt. Yes. Thank you. Thank you, council. 1176 202 motor vehicle highway [clears throat] 126 overtime positive $20,000 173 health insurance negative $20,000 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Bill. Comments or questions? What is the difference between uh the 1135 and the 1176? Overtime, please.

The 1135 is our bridge employees and the 1176 as our highway employees during um call outs. Um it's by seniority, so it will include bridge and highway employees. Okay. Thank you. You're welcome. Any further comments or questions hearing? None. Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. You're welcome. Now, thank you, council. Welcome. Moving on. Elizabeth

1159 board of health 175 long-term disability positive 1,200 176 longevity negative 1,200 total transfer zero. Motion to approve. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Bill. Questions or comments for J. Hearing? Roll call, please. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you, council.

You're welcome. Thank you. All right. Moving on to motion below the transfers and appropriations. Motion to approve financial transfers and to amend salary ordinance with like reductions. Second. Motion by Dan. Second by Bill. Roll call. Lang. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Thank you. You have the back filling report in front of you. Move to receive the back filling report. Second. Motion by Bill. Second by is that by Dan? By Dan. Roll call.

Swangen. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Fer. Yes. Yes. Thank you. Moving on to ordinance and resolutions. We have ordinance 2025-42 in front of us for first reading. Not motion to introduce ordinance 2025-42. Second motion introduced by Bill, second by Dan. Discussion.

Are there any changes? So, no, there this, if you'll recall, this is the uh hourly 911 and sheriff's deputy longevity and experience pay from last year. It was initially adopted last year. And um it included language that said it would expire at the end of the year unless uh approved by the council to extend other than updating the dates to keep the existing um ranks and in and salary increases in there. Nothing else has been changed. So it just at council's pleasure needs to be adopted again to stay in place. And we we have budgeted for the experience I believe.

Yes, I did believe so. Other discussion do we want to make suspend the rules? Yeah, there can't be. [clears throat] It's not suspending the rules. It's just moving to on to approve it at the same meeting. Correct. I make a motion to suspend the rules to adopt today. I'll second. I think we got to introduce. No, we got Oh, we didn't take There's a motion in a second. Roll call for for first reading. So, roll call on first reading, please. Mr. Flangen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Yes.

Mr. Book, yes. Mr. Piper. Mr. KZ? Yes. Mr. Wad? Yes. Thank you. You'd like to consider it for second reading. Need to make that. And that needs to be unanimous if we want to consider it for second reading.

Yeah. So we we've dealt with this before. Um typically ordinances cannot be adopted. Regular order ordinances would not be adopted on the date in which they're introduced. However, statute allows you to do so. So then you would take two votes. One would be to allow for as Eugene suggested a second reading today. That vote must be unanimous and then you can have a vote on the actual adoption. [clears throat and snorts] Do we need to do that? It expires at the end of the year. My opinion would be yes, we need to do this because if not, it's going to affect payroll starting the first of the year before I read.

Motion to make the motion to adopt say adopt or go for a second. Allow for second reading. Allow for a second reading. Thank you. Second motion by Dan, second by Bill. Discussion, comments, questions. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Flangen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mr. Mo, yes. Mr. Buck, yes. M Sper. Mr. KZ. Yes. Mr. Wy. Yes. And I move to adopt ordinance 2025-42.

I'll second. Motion by Bill, second by Dan. Discussion, comments, questions. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Langen, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Mole, yes. Wow. Yes. Piper. Can Yes. Sweet. Yes. Moving on to ordinance 2025-43 for a first reading. Move to introduce ordinance 2025-43. Second. Have a motion by Bill, second by Dan. Comments, questions, discussion.

Before you [clears throat] uh I think before all of you were here today, the the exhibit A that's referenced in the ordinance itself was not sent out. So that was left uh at your seat. It's the pay or the the point matrix that's referenced in the ordinance itself. That's the exhibit it's referencing. And then this is similar [clears throat] to the one we just did. Nothing has been changed or updated other than dates to make it applicable to 2026. Any further comments or questions? And I know I made my opinion on that. uh addendum or what do you want to call it? Exhibit A made the last time we voted on. I'm not real big favor of that part of it.

Any other comments or questions regarding ordinance 2025-43 hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Flanken, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. MCO, yes. Spookout, yes. Sper. Mr. Can yes. Mr. Swag. Yes. Council want to entertain second reading. Motion to move allow second reading. Second. Motion by Bill. Second by Matt. Roll call. Yes. M. Piper. M. Gance. Yes. M. Wyatt.

No. Moving on to ordinance 2025-26. This is for a second reading.

Point of order. Yes, sir. Um, per the last vote. Do we now suspend that? We already we No, it it passed. So, the the vote [clears throat] be unanimous. The vote prior had to be unanimous. The vote to allow for a second reading on the day it's introduced must be unanimous and it was. However, the vote to actually adopt is just like any other vote and it would have passed what 5 to one. So, it was adopted. Okay. Thank you.

So, you have ordinance 2025-26 in front of you now for second readings. [sighs and gasps] Motion to approve 202526. Second. Motion by Dan, second by Bill. [clears throat] Comments, questions, discussion. Do we have a date for paragraph one? Yep. I just asked that. It'd be the 14th is the first payroll date in 2026. January 14. Thank you.

Yes. January 14th. Any other comments or questions? Hearing none. Roll call, please. Miss Blanken, yes. Mr. Hughes, yes. Smokco, yes. Yes. Spikiper. Chance. Yes. Sweet. Yes. Thank you. Moving on to appointments and committee reports. We have board appointments in front of us. So, technical redevelopment commissioner first.

Yeah, I had them in my notes as a little alphabetical, but we'll go with the list that's in front of us. That make more sense and easy for everybody to follow up here. I have some folks that sent emails. I think everybody on this list probably did. And I think Amber and I got a call from Rob Keyasling this morning. couldn't make it. But um do we want to read anything? Sure. Across it.

The Delaware County Redevelopment Commission. We will be voting for two the names that were submitted to council or to the auditor's office prior to December 1st. Danielle Castle, Amber Green, I believe that's is that Chester Kendrick, Scott Ratliff, and Rob Keyasling. Um Daniel Kessle sent us a note uh outlining her uh she's a Republican who has lived in the county all of her life and has a degree in accounting and a wide range of volunteer work. Everything from political campaigns to CASA to the fair board I believe she serves on now. Um Amber, do you want to give your two cents please? [snorts]

Morning council. Amber Green. I currently serve as the president of the DCRC. I would love to be reappointed to this board. I think this year we've done a good job at kind of working through some challenges and some struggles. There are quite a few big projects that are still on the table that I would like to see finished next year. So, I would love to seek reappointment to this board. If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer.

Thank you. um Chester or Kester Kendrick uh Republican who's put in for the Deliver County Redevelopment Commission and the Daleville Economic Board. Um he's got a really long list of things in here, but um he's a PhD in I technology, MS and cyber security. Uh he's a US Navy cyber warfare officer. Um, looks like he works with AT&T mobility currently. Uh, a lot of background in cyber security and critical infrastructure protection. Um, says with experience in public service across academia, US Navy, and telecommunications, I bring a nonpartisan serviceoriented mindset focused on strengthening Delaware Countyy's infrastructure, economy, and long-term resilience. Uh Scott Ratliff. Uh he has expressed interest in both the animal care and services board and the redevelopment commission. Uh a nearly lifelong citizen of Delaware County. Um he served in the past as a Monroe Township trustee, member of the Monroe Township Volunteer Fire Department for 18 years and board of directors at Muny Civic and he currently is a teacher at Wapahani. Um, prior to teaching, I worked at CIO and Ball Corp and has been involved in the community and strives to make Muny and Delaware County a better place. Rob Keyasling um also serves on the redevelopment commission currently uh did express his um desire to uh be reappointed um has some focus areas on what the redevelopment condition or redevelopment commission can bring for general fund issues in the future. Um he's an MBA uh graduate of Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute with a bachelor's

of business and marketing. Um he works at um Indiana Michigan Power. Um in addition to the county redevelopment commission, he previously served on the county tax abatement committee and the Yorktown Redevelopment Commission. All righty. Thank you, Matt. When we do roll call, we'll have council give their two votes. Does anybody have any comments or questions before we do roll call on the redevelopment commission? Is this a one year or twoear term? This is a one-year term. Mr. President, uh, are board members entitled to um run for any of these as well?

You're talking about council members? Council members, I'm sorry. Yes. If council member would like to put their name in the hat. Yes, they are. Okay. Thank you. Does that mean you're wanting to run Jim? No. Okay. Just [laughter] making sure. [clears throat] Any further comments or questions? Discussion, I guess. All right. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Do we need a motion or just move forward with those? Okay. Ben, how would you like us proceed with this two?

I mean, it's uh I just [clears throat] uh regular roll call as you said, regular roll call and then name the the two individuals that you'll be voting for. Thank you, Ben. Okay, Mr. Fandigan. Uh current Amber Green and Rob Keyasley, Mr. Hughes, Amber Green, Rob Keyasling, Mr. Mogul, Amber Green, Rob Keyasling, Mr. book out. Amber Green, Rob Keyasling,

Mr. KZ, uh, Amber Green and Rob Keyasling, Mr. Whitehead, Scott Ratliff and Mr. Kendrick. Congratulations to Miss Green and Mr. Key. All right, we're moving on to the fair board. This is a voting for one and I believe it is a three-year term. This does not have to be a balanced board. And the two names that were submitted were Amber Green and Bart Keyasling. Has Bark always been on?

When you say always, I don't know how far. It's as long as I have been served. Yes. And Mr. Keyasling does an enormous amount out at the fairgrounds. Yeah. But he's always been he's been through the council. He's typically gets appointed. As far as I know. Yeah. You might ask have to ask Mr. Hughes who's been here a little longer if that's been the case. But far as I know, he [clears throat] has to answer your question. Okay. I think you're right. I'd like to make a motion to uh nominate or to recommend Bar Keyas. [snorts] Second. All righty. If we're going to do it as we did last time, we're just going to do roll call and you say the name that you That's fine. I withdraw my motion. Thank you.

Further comments or questions before we vote? Do we want to let Amber speak since she's here? You like to speak again? [laughter] I just want to make it clear. I understand that the the work that Mr. Keysling does on this board. I do have interest in being appointed, but it is not because of a lack of faith in what he has done or continues to do. I was involved in 4 when I was in high school. I'm a former fair queen and I would love to get involved in working on the pageant side of the fair board again. So that is why I put in but this has nothing to do with Mr. Keysling's abilities just to be clear. Thank you. Thank you. [snorts]

Further discussion hearing none. Roll call please. Miss Planken Bart Keyasling. Mr. Hughes Bart Keyas Mr. Mole. Mr. Keyasling struggling Mr. Can Mr. Keyasling Mr.

Mr. Keyasling congratulations to Mr. Keysley and thank you Miss Green for putting your name in there for that. I know how important that part of the fair is to you. All right, moving on to Daleville Economic Board. We'll be voting for one. I do believe is a one-year term and I did some research. There is no requirement that the individual must live within the Daleville town limits. the three names that were presented to council, Brent Cheetum, Matt Porter, and Mr. Kendrick. Uh Matt Porter also sent a note um about his applicant for the Alcohol Beverage Commission, Animal Care, and Services, and Daleville boards. Uh he's lived in Delmer County for nearly 20 years. His kids went to Daleville, and he would like to give back. His experience as a social worker has allowed him to witness a vast array of livelihoods and approaches. I believe in a strong sense of community and we have to share life together should we want to see progress. Um he says he considers himself to be a reasonable and logical person who's capable of changing his opinion on matters should different new information be brought to light. He lives in Mudy.

Thank you for that. Is there a current member on the Yes, Mr. Chetum is our current member. I thought he was this I I'll I'll use Jessica's I'll fill in for Jessica. I think this is the board that everyone she stipulates every year hasn't ever even met if I remember right. Yeah, this is only a board that meets in the event of a bond issuance by the Okay. by the county redevelopment commission. Okay. Okay. [clears throat] Further discussion hearing none. Roll call, please. Mrs. Lang. Uh Mr. Cheetum. Mr. Choose Matt Porter Mr. Mo

Mr. Kendrick Mout Cheetum Mr. Kants Matt Porter Mad

Matt Porter Congratulations to Mr. Porter. All right, moving on to the tax abatement committee. This is where we'll vote for three. And I believe this is also a one-year term. Current names that were given to council are Josh Perkins and Joe Bar. And both those currently are serving on there. Uh the other says open. So Mr. Hughes, you're not serving this year.

I I didn't express it because if someone else would like to serve, I've been on that committee for three years now. So if someone else is interested, I'm more than one to step. I I will comment Josh Perkins and Joe Bar are both excellent members. We haven't met uh for I don't think we've met this year. Uh but in the past they are very much engaged. They're both business people and uh do an excellent job. So they're very easy to work with if someone else would like to step in. Do we have a volunteer from council?

Mr. Pow, I will uh I'll accept that if uh there's no other willing to do that right in candidate. Thank you, Mr. Brook. Since we only have three to choose from and we have to nominate three, can we do it by acclamation? Is that all right with council? Yes. All those in favor, Mr. Perkins, Mr. Bar, Mr. Bookout, say I I post same sign. Abstain.

Appreciate that. We have a tax abatement committee. Thank you all. Moving on to animal care services. This is also a vote for just one. I I guess I'm unfamiliar. Is this a one-year term? For some reason, I thought it was long. Can you look that up for us, Marissa? The names that I have submitted to council are Scott Ratliff, Matt Porter, and Austin Hamill. You have any information regarding Mr. Hamill? Yes.

Would you read that, please? Uh Austin lives in Albany. Uh Republican. I've always had a strong passion for animals and used uh to foster a lot and used to foster a lot of dogs and help find them good homes. Uh he feels servicing the animal care board is a great way to help animals in his community. Thank you, Matt. I was informed this is a three-year term. Any further discussion or comments or questions? All right. Hearing none. Roll call, please. Mr. Yes, sir. Sorry. Uh current is our incumbent on there now. The uh current incumbent declined. That's what I was thinking. All these were new but

sure. So we have one or two one appointment that we're voting on. Okay. Clarification or discussion hearing? None. Roll call, please. Mr. Langan. Uh Scott Ratliff. Mr. Hughes. Scott Ratliff. Mr. Mo. Mr. Hamill. Mr. Rout Scott Ratliff, Mr. Can uh Scott Rattliff, Mr. Ry,

Scott Ratliff. Congratulations to Mr. Ratliff. Moving on to the Alcohol Beverage Commission. This is also voting for one. This is a one-year term. Names submitted to council are Doug Hutchinson and Matt Porter. And Doug Hutchinson is the current serving member appointed by council. And uh he he sent a note just that he would want to continue he would like to continue his position on the commission for 2026. Uh he works well with board members and he's a Republican. [snorts]

Other discussion hearing on roll call, please. Mangan. Mr. Hutchinson. Mr. Hughes, Douglas Hutchinson, Mr. Mole, Mr. Hutcherson, Mr. Wout, Douglas Hutcherson, Mr. Can uh Mr. Hutcherson, Mr. Whead, Mr. Hutchinson. Congratulations, Mr. Hutchinson. Moving on to the property tax board of appeals. We will be voting for one. This does have to be a balanced board and we are appointing a Democrat. The only name submitted to me was Mr. Carrie Wiggler and he is a Democrat. Did you send anything? Okay. Not that I see. Sure.

How long is the term, sir? I believe this is also one year. Can you look that up for me? One year. One year. One year term. He currently serves on there. Yes. Further questions. [snorts] Hearing none. Roll call. Mr. Blanken. Carrie Wiggerly, Mr. Hughes, Carrie Wigerley, Mr. Smoke, Mr. Wrigley, Mr. Buck, Carrie Wiggerly, Mr. KZ, Mr. Wiggerly, Mr. Swahhead,

Mr. Wiggly. Thank you. Moving on to County Council attorney Beasley and Gilkas is the only one that sent in, I guess, information to council. It is a one-year appointment. We are voting for one. Any discussion from councel? You do have the draft agreement that been provided. Um I think it's parallel to what we've done in the past. I don't see any major changes. [clears throat]

The only change of any significance uh other than updating the the years is it does now include uh that partner Aubrey Christrist will serve as secondary attorney. uh just some some clarity as to who can be turned to in the event that I'm not available but other than that there's no changes and I appreciate you adding that language there further discussion can we do by acclamation I'm all right with that if the rest of council is yes would be voting for Beasley and Gilkerson all those in favor of Beasley and Gilkson is serving as county council attorney say I all those post same sign thank you

thank All right, that gets our board appointments. Do we have any other committees that would like to speak that I don't have on the agenda? Um, I'll talk about the IT committee if you'd like. Yes, please.

Oh, where to start though? Um, I'll start with the most recent thing um that came to light yesterday. Uh, and there was an email that's gone out today around uh, credential harvesting. So, there was an email sent from an internal address that had a um, security breach link in it that several folks have clicked on which uh, potentially puts our um, entire network at risk. Uh, there has been a request by the IT team and the commissioners to change your passwords immediately. So for anyone listening, please pass that along to all of your department heads and or department folks and uh anybody else who's accessing your computer today. Uh they ask that you change your password to something completely different, not just, you know, changing the last numeric number um in a sequence or or anything like that. So um brings to light you know a lot of the challenges that we've been that we're facing. Um, we have asked that the IT team push out additional cyber security training. I don't think we've had one in many months um here internally, but uh just to reiterate, you know, anything that looks suspicious, reads suspicious, has a link, do not click it. Um and and direct those inquiries to the IT team. Uh so um there has been some um discussion also uh the IT group Jim Fluke's contract you know ends at the end of this year and uh will not he's not renewing he does not want to be renewed. Um so the commissioners and some of us from the IT group are working with those folks to uh bring them on board uh as Delaware County employees or contract employees. Um Commissioner Brand and HR are working on that as we speak. Um I think we have most of that figured out

now too. Uh so that was um something that came up recently. Uh we we met with um all the department heads recently on our potential um option to move from uh move our mail primarily from Microsoft to Google. Um we'd also get some additional tools with that. Um that com there lots of concerns and questions came up as a part of that conversation. So, we're working through some of those details. We're also get trying to get some updated numbers on whether or not we can save some money um going this direction long term. Uh with some of the IT changes, you know, or the IT um conundrum we've been in here with the last few weeks, we're going to put that on hold temporarily until we can get through the first of the year. So, but that conversation will continue to be ongoing. Um trying to think that was it. So, think that's it.

Thank you, Matt. questions for Matt. Can I ask a question about the um changing password because the email we received said if you clicked on it, you must change your password. Not everybody changed their password. So, is that changing? Um it says all users that this the one that went out. Yeah. Okay. I haven't seen I didn't read that. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.

Question. Thank you. Appreciate the update, Matt, and look forward to I guess another update next month to see where we stand. Other committees like to give reports hearing none. I have nothing on old business. Anybody want to bring up any old business? All right. Nothing under new business. Elected officials and department heads. Purdue Extension did ask to give a presentation or at least introduction. So you all would stand up there, please. Morning. Justin Curley, Purdue Extension. Um, just want to come in today and announce a couple of uh changes, some chair shuffling. Um, I've been in this county for two years and effective January 1st, I'm going to transfer to Wayne County, which is my home county. Um, Emily Kring, a Muny resident, is going to be coming into this office and she will be the egg educator in the county. Um, I've served as county extension director the last two years and effective January 1st when I leave, Amanda Bullan will take over in that role. And I wanted to introduce our new 4 educator, uh, Vicky Gasway. It's hard to call her new because she's been here a couple months, but she's been just that busy that she hasn't been able to get to a meeting. So, I'll give the ladies a chance to introduce themselves. Just wanted to thank Justin for his leadership over the last couple years and uh also for the training that he's allowed me to watch and uh look over his shoulder for the last few months. And so just looking forward to working with you all and moving our programming forward. Would also like to thank Justin for that introduction. Um I think I know most of you sitting up here. So I'm looking forward to um serving in this role and growing our 4 program. We currently have over 300 um 4 youth as well as over a hundred adult volunteers that serve in

our 4 program here in Delaware County. So I can give you some better uh updated statistics after our January 15th close date. So if you know of any third through 12th graders that would like to join 4, please send them my way as well as we can have some mini4 uh volunt or mini 4 kiddos that are in kindergarten through 2 grade. And then if you would like to be an adult volunteer, would love to tap into um all the resources that our county has to offer. So we're looking at growing the program, expanding into some spark clubs, college and career readiness skills um just to develop our youth for the next generation and for the next step in phase in their life. So look forward to serving in this role. So let me know if you have any questions.

Hey Vicki, any qu Yeah. Do to join 4 do you have to like be a farmer? Do you have to have farm animals? Do you have to, you know, I mean, I know that's um typically the the the stat status quo around 4, but no, 4 is for everyone. In fact, we actually have we serve more students that are not coming necessarily from a farm now um and rather than those that are farm kids. And so even if you want to enjoy, we have STEM clubs. We have multiple what we call static projects that are um housed at the memorial building at the fairgrounds. So we have more of those projects now than we actually do livestock projects. So 4 is for everyone. Thank you. Not just our farm kids.

And how do those children and teachers, parents reach out to you? Give us your contact info. Uh email vgasaway purdue.edu. So v g1s awy at purdu.edu or they can call the extension office here at Delaware County 747732 747732. Appreciate that. Thank you very much. Would love to grow our numbers even more. So please send them our way.

Any questions or comments? Oh, I would like to recognize one thing that I feel like educators in general. My my past life before this, I was a teacher for 18 years. Um, but we're not great at giving ourselves any type of recognition or kudos. Like, it's just the what's expected of you. Um, recently Amanda Bullion was awarded one of our national uh family and consumer science awards. So, you have a national awardee standing in your presence working for you serving here in Delaware County. So, I'd like to give her a congratulations.

Thank you all. Well, as a 10ear 4 member, I will highly encourage anybody listening, watching, however you've heard this message to join 4. There are projects out there for everyone and everyone is invited to be a 4 participant. All right, moving on. Any other elected officials or department heads would like to speak? Mr. President, go ahead.

Tanya Dunmore, chief deputy auditor. I would just like to introduce Chelsea Welsh. Uh we promoted her from payroll deputy to head bookkeeper so everyone could put a face with the name. Welcome, Chelsea. Carrie, would you look and see if anybody signed up from the public? Are there any other elected officials or department heads? And Mr. local. You started to speak. Yes. Thank you. Um I'd like for Emily to update us on CASA, please.

Emily Anderson, court administrator. Uh we told finance committee about uh new development with CASA grants. Uh CASA has three grants, well essentially four grants that they work out of along with county general. One of the main grants that we received was the VOCA grant and they were told that that grant coming from the federal level would be cut at the state level by 40%. That does not mean that our CASA grant will be cut by 40% but it it's 40% for all the CASA um entities within the state. So as we looked at our VOCA grant, we have two full-time and one part-time on that grant. worst case scenario that we see happening is we're going to lose a full-time person. So, I was uh letting the finance committee know that we can't lose a full-time person. Like, it's we can't run a program like that. So, um we will not know the extent of what we will lose until July of next year. Um just letting council know that we have to have that person. So, if we lose that person, we're going to have to come to county general side and ask for it. um best case scenario, we lose a part-time, which we can potentially absorb into the um county general side a lot easier. Um but she has five employees, full-time employees, and three of them or two of them are Grant. Um they have a weight list, I think she said, of 170 children as it is. The positive of this is we've um we had a vacancy in the in the department of the volunteer coordinator and we have a new volunteer coordinator that has will be starting in January and we have high hopes that this volunteer coordinator will work at getting new volunteers which will help with that case that weight list. Um, and having volunteers will help with that with the program

itself, but we still have to have the people in the office doing the work as well. So, I'm just letting I just was like, we need to go to council and let them know that this is a possibility when we're losing our grant and CASA's program has been built around grants for years. Uh, and and they do really a lot of work getting grants. Um, just giving you all a heads up on it. This is a possibility. We won't know anything like I said until July hopefully before we turn in budgets because I don't want to do three budgets but you know. So any questions? Thank you for the update. Yeah, you're welcome.

Other elected officials and department heads. All right. Thank you Carrie for looking but nobody from the public signed up. Comments from council.

I'd like to wish everybody a merry Christmas and a happy new year. Um, thanks to Tommy Kerry, the team for uh, [snorts] Snow Medon 2025 uh, and the work being done during that. So, I just want to shout out to those guys. Further comments from council like to echo both previous council members. A large thank you to your department, the highway department, for keeping us safe. You all stay safe on the road. Everybody have a safe and happy new year, a merry Christmas, and we'll see you all next year at our January 27th meeting. So, I hear a motion to adjourn.

So moved. Second. Roll call, please. Mr. Langen? Yes. Mr. Hughes? Yes. Mr. Smoke? Yes. Out? Yes. Sper. Mr. Scad? Yes.