HOWARD COUNTY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MARCH 25TH, 2003

 

 

The Howard County Council met, Tuesday, March 25th, 2003, at 7:00 p.m., in Room 338 of the Howard County Administration Center.  Those present were Council President Richard Miller, Council Vice President James Papacek and Council Members Dwight Singer, James Shearer, and Stanley Ortman.  Also present were County Attorney Larry Murrell, Personnel Administrator Wanda McKillip, and Auditor Martha Lake.  Council members Jeffrey Stout and Leslie Ellison were unable to attend this meeting.

 

The meeting was called to order by Sheriff Department Major Steve Rogers and conducted by President Richard Miller. 

 

The minutes of the February 25th, 2003 Meeting, were corrected by Howard County Attorney Larry Murrell as follows in regard to Resolution No. 2003-HCC-05 and Amended Salary Ordinance No. 2003-HCC-15, for the specified reason:

 

         The Auditor’s transactions in Transfer Resolution No. 2003-HCC-05 on page 3, item 1, received a favorable vote count of 3 to 2 at the meeting, however, according to statute, this count is not sufficient for approval.  Approval requires a majority of favorable votes of the entire body (all 7 members).  Since the transfers could not be approved, this also changes and disallows the transactions for the Auditor on Amended Salary Ordinance No. 2003-HCC-15, page 4.  All other transactions stand as reported.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Singer, seconded by Mr. Papacek and carried to adopt the minutes with the above noted amendments.   

 

IN THE MATTER OF SPECIAL COUNCIL RECOGNITION OF MILITARY SERVICE:

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to issue a proclamation that the County Council, together with Howard County, supports the men and women in the military that are serving our country in the Middle East, providing the freedom to assemble in meetings to express opinions and vote according to our conscience.  Mr. Singer seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

IN THE MATTER OF HOWARD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES:

 

Ms. Nicole Scott, Vice President of Howard Community Hospital Behavioral Health Services, gave a presentation on their renovation project.  Howard County Community Foundation awarded the former First National Bank Building on North Main Street to Howard Community Hospital Behavioral Health for a lease of $1.00 per year for 30 years.  The entire building will be renovated except for the structural portion at a cost of $4.3 million. 

 

Howard Community plans to relocate all out-patient behavioral health services to the new facility.  The education services and 24-hour care will remain at the hospital.  The new facility will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Approximately 70 employees will relocate to the new facility and up to 100 patients will be seen each day.  Parking will be provided in the parking lot located diagonally across the street. 

 

The tentative move-in date is scheduled for December 2003.  Ms. Scott briefly described an overview of the type of programs offered and patients that will be treated.  Since the facility is licensed by the State of Indiana as a community mental health center, funding will be received from both the County and State to take care of indigent and underinsured patients.

 

IN THE MATTER OF COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ISSUES:

 

Director Glen Boise presented the following issues for Council information and approval:

 

                1.     Informational Meeting:  Mr. Boise asked the Council to consider setting a special meeting on April 1, 2003 at 6:00 p.m. in Room 101 of the Government Building to hear about the planning process and have an opportunity to express opinions on issues in Howard County.  The County Commissioners, a variety of elected officials and community leaders have been invited to the meeting.

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to set a Special Meeting for the Commissioners on Tuesday, April 1, 2003, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 101 of the Government Building to receive information about the County Comprehensive Plan process and discuss public issues.  Mr. Shearer seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

2.        Council Appointments to Steering Committee:  Mr. Boise reminded the Council that at the previous meeting he had requested each Council member to appoint someone to serve on a Comprehensive Plan Committee.  The Committee will meet once each month for approximately one year.

 

3.        Public Workshops:  Public opinions are encouraged at workshops scheduled on April 15th and 17th, 2003 at school libraries throughout the county.

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF ORDINANCE NO. 2003-HCC-14 ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS:

 

Ordinance No. 2003-HCC-14 was read in full for the first time by Auditor Martha Lake, and read in full for the second time by President Richard Miller.  Ordinance No. 2003-HCC-14 was presented and acted upon as follows:

 

 

 

APPROPRIATION ADDITIONS REQUESTED:         

REQUESTED:                      APPROVED:       

 

001         HOWARD COUNTY GENERAL FUND:

 

011         HOWARD COUNTY REASSESSMENT FUND: 
2370        Printer & Copier Supplies                                                   $    2,500.00                            $    2,500.00

3212        Postage                                                                                  $  13,000.00                            $  13,000.00

3512        GIS Project                                                                            $  20,000.00                            $  20,000.00

3570        Printing                                                                                  $    1,200.00                            $    1,200.00

Total Reassessment Fund:                                                                $  36,700.00                         $  36,700.00

 

When the budgets were prepared in July 2002, County Assessor Ann Harrigan anticipated that the reassessment would be finished by the end of 2002.  The County Treasurer provided printers for the reassessment project therefore Mrs. Harrigan intends to replace the toner that was used to print the Form 11’s.  The postage and printing request also pertains to the reassessment project.  The request in Line Item 3512 is to enable the County’s GIS Project to proceed.

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to appropriate $36,700.00 to the line items listed above.  Mr. Shearer seconded the motion, which carried.

               

020         HOWARD COUNTY ACCIDENT REPORT FUND:

4710        Equipment                                                                             $   5,000.00                             $    5,000.00

Total Accident Report Fund:                                                             $   5,000.00                           $    5,000.00

Major Steve Rogers presented the requests for additionals on behalf of Sheriff Marshall Talbert who was unable to attend the meeting.  Major Rogers stated the Accident Report Fund is generated by the sale of accident reports.  Sheriff Talbert anticipates purchasing two (2) portable hand-held radar units with the money.

 

Mr. Singer made a motion to approve the appropriation of $5,000.00 in Line Item 4710 as requested.  Mr. Papacek seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

046         HOWARD COUNTY ELECTRONIC DATA FUND: 

2360        Supplies                                                                                 $    2,085.00                            $    2,085.00

Total Electronic Data Fund:                                                              $    2,085.00                          $    2,085.00

 

Auditor Martha Lake explained the fund is generated from the sale of compact discs in the Mapping Department for the last few years.  The money collected is to be used to support the ongoing process.

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion, seconded by Mr. Singer, and carried to appropriate $2,085.00 in Line Item 2360.

 

100         HOWARD COUNTY FIREARMS TRAINING FUND:

2360        Ammunition/Shooting Supplies                                        $    6,500.00                            $     6,500.00

Total Firearms Training Fund:                                                        $    6,500.00                          $     6,500.00

 

Major Steve Rogers explained this fund reflects munitions that are used in training officers and others associated with the Sheriff’s Department.  Firearms training is conducted at the indoor range at the Kokomo Police Department, a range located at 440 West and various tactical schools that engage in shooting exercises.  Also some training is scheduled this year at Grissom Air Force Base.

 

A motion was made by Mr. Papacek, seconded by Mr. Shearer and carried, to appropriate $6,500.00 to Line Item 2360 for ammunition and shooting supplies.

                                                               

115         HOWARD COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT INMATE WORKER FUND:
4722        Equipment                                                                             $      800.00                             $        800.00

Total Inmate Worker Fund:                                                              $      800.00                           $        800.00

Major Rogers stated this money will be used for equipment to support the Inmate Worker operation.

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to appropriate $800.00 in Line Item 4722 as requested.  Mr. Singer seconded the motion and the motion carried.

 

132         HOWARD COUNTY SURVEYOR PERPETUATION FUND:
3120        Contracts                                                                               $  25,000.00                            $   25,000.00
Total Surveyor Perpetuation Fund:                                 $  25,000.00                         $   25,000.00

150         HOWARD COUNTY CUMULATIVE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND:
4306        Surveyor Computer Upgrade                                             $    5,400.00                            $     5,400.00
Total CCD Fund:                                                                 $    5,400.00                          $     5,400.00

Surveyor Beryl Grimme had a schedule conflict and was unable to attend the meeting.  Mr. Grimme contacted President Miller earlier today and advised that the requests for money out of the Howard County Surveyor Perpetuation Fund pertain to the ongoing cornerstone marking project.  The request from the Cumulative Capital Development Fund would be used to upgrade computer terminals in the Surveyor’s Office. 

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to appropriate $25,000.00 to Line Item 3120 out of the Howard County Surveyor Perpetuation Fund and appropriate $5,400.00 to Line Item 4306 out of the Cumulative Capital Development Fund.  Mr. Shearer seconded the motion, and it carried.


169        
HOWARD COUNTY CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE EXCISE TAX FUND:
3125        Vehicle Lease                                                                        $   2,212.85                             $  2,212.85
Total Controlled Substance Excise Tax Fund:                               $   2,212.85                           $  2,212.85

Auditor Martha Lake explained this is a brand new fund.  The money in this fund is generated when people possessing controlled substances are arrested and tax is charged on the amount of money that the drugs represent.  The money is placed in a fund in Indianapolis.  Sheriff Talbert applied for Howard County’s share of the money and it has been received.  The money is earmarked to prevent drug use.   This appropriation request would accommodate paying the lease on a vehicle to be used by the County Drug Task Force. 

 

Mr. Singer made a motion to appropriate $2,212.85 to Line Item 3125 as requested by the Sheriff.  Mr. Ortman seconded the motion, and it carried.


500        
HOWARD COUNTY ECONOMICAL DEVELOPMENT INCOME TAX FUND:
4733.01   Emergency Equipment                                                        $     575.00                              $      575.00

Total EDIT Fund:                                                                 $     575.00                            $      575.00
 

Auditor Martha Lake stated this request is for the battery backup for the repeater system in Greentown. 

 

Mr. Papacek made a motion to approve $575.00 out to the Economical Development Income Tax Fund to Line Item 4733.01 Emergency Equipment.  Mr. Singer seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

515         HOWARD COUNTY MISDEMEANENT FUND:
4710        Equipment (Prisoner Tansport Van)                                 $   10,500.00                           $  10,500.00
4715        Software (Livescan Fingerprint)                                        $   10,000.00                           $  10,000.00

Total Misdemeanent Fund:                                                                $   20,500.00                        $  20,500.00

 

Major Rogers explained the money in Line Item 4710 would be used to purchase an aluminum insert for the new prisoner transport van.  The insert has three (3) separate compartments, having the ability to transport up to three classifications of prisoners. This could reduce the number of officers needed to transport prisoners.  The insert is sealed so that the compartments can be easily washed out with a hose, and can be removed and installed in future vans.

 

Regarding Line Item 4715, the software will allow CISCO to communicate with the NEC Livescan fingerprint machine to eliminate duplication of information and work effort when a prisoner is photographed and fingerprinted.  This would reduce the amount of time an inmate has to be out of confinement.  The software is a one-time expenditure of $10,000, which had been adjusted down from $12,000 due to an earlier interface purchase.

 

Mr. Singer made a motion to appropriation of $20,500.00 out of the Howard County Misdemeanent Fund to the Line Items listed above.  Mr. Papacek seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

TOTAL ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS

ALL FUNDS:                                                                                        $  104,772.85                      $  104,772.85

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF RESOLUTION NO. 2003-HCC-05-- TRANSFERS:

 

Resolution No. 2003-HCC-05 addressing requested transfers was presented and read in full for Council information and review.  The following actions were taken:

 

001         HOWARD COUNTY GENERAL FUND:

002          HOWARD COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE:  

1113        First Deputy Auditor           1117        Part-time                                $  2,238.00                              $   2,238.00            

2371        Other Supplies                      1117        Part-time                                $  9,500.00                              $   9,500.00

2371        Other Supplies                      1118        Overtime                                $     500.00                              $      500.00

 

Prior to the meeting the Council members received copies of a letter from Auditor Martha Lake.  The letter contained an apology regarding the transfers presented at the February 25th meeting.  After the meeting the County Attorney pointed out that a majority of favorable votes of all Council members is required to grant approval to the transfer requests, and not just from those that were present at the meeting.  The approval of the Auditor’s requests for transfers failed due to the lack of a majority vote.  (See correction noted on page 1, attached, under approval of the minutes for February 25th, 2003 meeting)

 

The above listed transfers were changed slightly to cover overtime, if needed, in the next few weeks to process assessed values in order to expedite the spring tax-rate and billing process.  The remainder of the money will be used to pay part-time personnel when needed until the end of the year 2003.  In addition to the Mapping Project and various other large tasks, another set of assessed values will follow behind the first set.  However, there is one pregnancy in progress and one or two pending surgeries.  No increases will be given to any part-time hourly rates this year.

 

Mrs. Lake attended the State Auditor’s Advisory Meeting on Tuesday, March 18th, and discovered that Howard County ranks third or fourth in the State in completing the reassessment on time.  She commended the efforts the departments and all personnel involved in the dedication and teamwork on the reassessment project.

 

Mr. Papacek made approve the above listed transfers as presented by the Howard County Auditor.  Mr. Ortman seconded the motion, and it carried.

 

IN THE MATTER OF SALARY ORDINANCE NO. 2003-HCC-15 – AMENDING THE EXISTING SALARY ORDINANCE FOR 2003:

 

A motion was made by Mr. Papacek, seconded by Mr. Ortman, and carried to approve Amended Salary Ordinance 2003-HCC-15 as read.  The amended salaries, any changed position titles and all other pertinent information is shown as follows:

# POSITIONS/                      REQUEST:             APPROVED:         YTD:

                                                                SALARY              

 

001         HOWARD COUNTY GENERAL FUND:

002          HOWARD COUNTY AUDITOR’S OFFICE:
1113        First Deputy Auditor 2 @$28,465                                      -$    2,238.00           -$   2,238.00            $ 54,692.00

1117        Part-time                      $18,000                                             +$11,738.00            +$11,738.00            $ 39,738.00

1118        Overtime                           -0-                                                +$     500.00            +$     500.00            $      500.00            

 

 

IN THE MATTER OF HOWARD COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2002:

 

A dinner and meeting will be held at Howard Community Hospital on April 15th, 2003 at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria conference room in regard to their annual report for 2002.

 

IN THE MATTER OF PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATOR ISSUES:

 

Personnel Administrator Wanda McKillip presented the following issues for Council information:

 

1.        Healthy Habits for Life:  County Extension Director Susan Neher will be conducting a series of lunchtime seminars on Thursdays, April 10th to May 15th from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Government Building.  The seminars are open to County employees and the public.  A fee of $10.00 per person will cover the cost of the entire series.  (The money will be placed in the Extension Education Fund that is audited by the State Board of Accounts) 

 

2.        Appointments:  Mrs. McKillip distributed an updated list of appointments serving on committees to the Council members.

 

There being no further business to come before the Council, Mr. Papacek made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Mr. Ortman, which carried.  The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

 

                                                                                                                HOWARD COUNTY COUNCIL:

 

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                Richard H. Miller, President

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                James Papacek, Vice President

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                James Shearer, Councilman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                Dwight Singer, Jr., Councilman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                Leslie Ellison, Councilman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                Stanley Ortman, Councilman

 

                                                                                                                _________________________________________

                                                                                                                Jeffrey Stout, Councilman

ATTEST:

__________________________

MARTHA J. LAKE, AUDITOR

County Council Minutes, March 25th, 2003