Ruth Ann Batta Obituary

Ruth Ann Batta Obituary

http://wrbiradio.com/ruth-ann-batta/

Andres Wuestefeld Funeral Home in charge of arrangements:

Visitation Monday, August 31, 2015 Parish Life Center, St. Leon, IN 4:00- ­8:00 Services Tuesday, September 1, 2015 St. Joseph Church St. Leon, IN 10:00

Agenda Sept 1 Morning Commissioners Meeting

AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Tuesday, September 1, 2015 

8:30 a.m., Commissioners Room

County Administration Building

215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I. CALL TO ORDER

II. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III. OLD BUSINESS

1.  Zone Map Amendment Request - Tootles Trust 

IV. NEW BUSINESS

1.  Harrison EMS Contract – Chief William Hursong

2.  Highway Engineer – Todd Listerman

1.  Railroad Agreement for Bridge #138, Bonnell Road

2.  Tri-Township Utility Relocation Agreement

3.  2016 Holiday Calendar

V. ADMINISTRATOR – Terri Randall

VI. AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington

1.  Claims/Minutes

VII. ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel

VIII. COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

IX. LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

X. PUBLIC COMMENT 

XI. ADJOURN

A second Sampling of County Council Budget Hearing Notes from 27 August 2015

27 August 2015 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Randy Lyness, President, Dennis Kraus. Sr., Dan Lansing, Liz Morris, Charlie Keyes, Ryan Brandt, and Bill Ullrich. 

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor and Leah Bailey, Comptroller and Connie Fromhold for a while.

I came in at 9:30 AM while Council was finishing up with the County Clerk, Rick Probst

Clerk of Courts - Rick Probst- voting costs seem to be up significantly. Council tried to cut education and training- but that was JUST for poll workers and Probst said it was down to the penny. The poll workers need to be trained annually- as some are new and some have been off a year and need reminder training. Council made some cuts with the expectation that Probst will have to be back for extra later.

Sheriff Dept- Mike Krienhop and his “posse”- the jail matron ( Jo) , Jack Prarat, and John Lee (?). Addressed $100,000 for inmate meals that was an additional over 2015 budget. Meals run about $400,000 a year. So far they have spent $242,000. Inmate population has decreased. People have been able to make their bonds. Averaged 280 and now averaged about 250 inmates. Ullrich said the judges are trying to make the bond affordable. Morris moved and Brandt 2nd to approve $100,000 out of Riverboat Revenue for inmate meals for the rest of 2015. 

Lansing asked about the salary change- and Kreinhop said it was the law- but he didn’t ask for it last year so he personally saved the county $30,000. They are expecting an employee to retire next month- an evidence technician ( Ed Lewis). If the new deputy is hired- then the evidence technician can be deleted. 2007- had 30 sworn deputies. Presently we are at 28 sworn deputies. Average deputies for 50,000 population counties is 35 deputies. Kraus said the Personnel Advisory Committee did not recommend adding an extra post. If we aren’t going to listen the PAC then why have it? Council did want to keep listening to PAC advice. Kreinhop later talked about being short on deputy and Kraus said essentially that he still stands by the PAC decision. 

Lansing asked if the jail would need more officers too. Kreinhop said yes , he is asking for more there too. Ullrich backed up that need plus said they have their own in- house lab now so they hope to speed up evidence analysis. They won’t have to get experts from INDY to testify then. Big discussion on the number of deputies going down. Jack Prarat got up and said that we are doing our part and getting grants for the lab etc. Trying to find money to offset these things. They have an incinerator to get rid of the evidence and drugs. We have to have that. Police pension was discussed. The county is listed at 92% GOOD in funding the pension of all the 92 counties. They set the range of funding for the pension as $244,182 this year. 

The PAC Committee said they wanted to see the additional money for the tech officer to go for an additional jail officer. The actual minutes were read out by Dennis Kraus. Kreinhop kept up the pressure trying to get the extra deputy. He has a nice balanced schedule right now. ( So why does he need another body?) Council moved on- to decide it firmly at  the end. 

Merit Board has 5 members. Sheriff appoints 3 and the other 2 are elected by the merit deputies. They get $100/meeting and meet 4 times a year. Law enforcement supplies is separate from police supplies. Cuts were made in each. Gasoline was discussed and only billing the sheriff for what they use. They allotted $110,000 for the sheriff gas. Body armor costs. Always need for new officers and any that outgrow theirs. Probably needs about 5-6 in 2016. The vests are good for 5 years. Each costs about $800. Training expense $3100 this year so far. They have 35 vehicles in the dept. The oldest is a 1999 15-passenger van with 120,000 miles on it. 

Liz Morris hit the idea of not having family in the sheriff cars and also in the Walmart Parking lot etc. Sheriff said- Family members are authorized to be in the vehicles. The presence of a police vehicle is a deterrent to crime. Example taking the family to church in a police cruiser. The sheriff determines the policy. He is elected.

Sheriff asked for 4 new jailers. Morris went on at length about them claiming numerous times it would be staff neutral. Because of the technological changes- it would be staff neutral. She wants to hold to the one additional. They can revisit in 2017. If he  -the jail commander -was unsure of his answer then he should have stated. He works for YOU. He speaks for you. And you were there for these discussions and questions also. She is not changing her mind on this now. Kreinhop went on about liability and needing more personnel to supervise inmates. He calls it preventative. Staff analysis recommended 23 additional officers and he’s only asking for 4. Lansing said he’s tried of the constant threat of being sued. Kreinhop said that this is preventative measure. WHEN WAS A STAFF ANALYSIS OF JAIL DONE? BY WHOM? Lansing asked the sheriff as he didn’t know either- Kreinhop answer: done in January of last year - Jan 2014. Was it for when the jail was full? Kreinhop - We really didn’t address that. (So how DID they determine staffing?) 

Nurse for jail. Overtime expenses. They have an inmate that goes to the hospital for long term care and have an officer that has to go with him. Mental health and dental. Those costs go above and beyond our contracted health provider. They allotted $300,000. 

Sheriff IT costs. John Lee spoke- here are still some costs until they get the new computer and IT services with Spillman until 2016. Cum cap and cum courthouse is covering some of this. Lot of equipment on battery backup. The cameras take up more hard drive space now as resolution increases. $267,767- Lyness asked- what if we have to cut this- can he move money from other spaces. Cum Courthouse and Cum Capital Development.

Lunch break. 11:45- 12:45PM

Three judges were covered from 12:45-1:30 PM- only changes in pauper attorney funds essentially.

Council began discussing various cuts.

The lobbyist issue was first. Council wants to be copied on all the Barnes and Thornburg communications related to their jobs. Lewes and Kappes will be out. Barnes and Thornburg helped with federal grants also for the justice dept. and prosecutor. Pennington will notify Lewes and Kappes of their termination and Barnes and Thornburg of the need for Council communications. They will also notify the cities and towns, as they paid a portion of Lewes and Kappes. 

YES home fuel oil bills were discussed. They had to be sure heat was covered. 

Riverboat Revenue Funds:

1191 RR fund- based on admissions tax:

For 2015 $5 million total 

97% went to county gov’t. operations

2 % went to private schools

1% went to park board capital improvements

7303 fund- other RR fund:

For 2015 $7million

9% Capital Projects Long Term- Fund 4924

17.5% Growth and Development Fund 4915

9.5% Emergency Appropriations Fund 4914

8% Transportation Infrastructure

6% Bridge Renovations

5% EMS- 21 departments

25% Shared Gaming Admissions tax with municipalities

20% Highway 4916- requires annual plan approved by majority of Council before release

FOR 2016- the total for 1191 RR will be about $4.6 million so those go down by about $400,000

For 7303 the 2016 total would be about $6,500,000

Tax rate brings in 6.4 million ???

COIT brings in $6.2million ???

Brandt- don’t want to hire any more employees than what we have.

Lyness- what about the health plan we have? We need to look at this.Asked Gayle Pennington to get him the number from 10 years ago and then current number.

I asked the Council about Umbaugh’s numbers and analysis that shows on p10-12 that Riverboat Savings had about $11 million and then went to a bit over $7 million by the end of this year. I thought that we had $9 million in Riverboat Savings? There was some discussion about this and Phil Weaver came over with numbers and Council kept checking things.

Council compared Frank Cummins numbers and Umbaugh’s and they think they like Cummin’s numbers better. 

Liz Morris said she was done in and wanted to stop for the day and start fresh tomorrow on that. Council agreed.

Council adjourned at 3:15 PM and will reconvene tomorrow at 9 AM to finish up.

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

Redevelopment Commission to Meet with Aurora Industrial Park Businesses

THIS MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

August 18, 2015

TO: Business Owners: Aurora Industrial Park, Randall Avenue, Aurora, IN

FR: Terri Randall, County Administrator & Economic Development Officer

RE: Aurora Industrial Park Signage / Concerns & Solutions


On behalf of the Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission, I am writing to make you aware that the board shares concerns that have been raised regarding difficulty or inability for your business to obtain and/or change signage on the shared Business Park sign located on the corner lot (US 50/Randall Avenue).

Not only is the sign in poor condition but it has come to the board’s attention that businesses on Randall Avenue are unable to market to the public because they do not have access to add or change signage. Part of the issue is the physical (legal)  location of the sign and the fact that the parcel on which it sits has been in transition to a new owner. The good news is that we believe we have made 
progress and the current owner seems willing to work with the businesses to make improvements.

Also, the area is a “TIF” region and, as such, the redevelopment commission has funds that may be able to be utilized to assist in improving the situation. Because it is important that we work together to help grow Dearborn County, the board invites you to attend a meeting to discuss the signage and impact on your business.


When: Thursday, September 3, 2015

Where: Craig Distributing Conference Room

Time: 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

RSVP

Please email: shayden@dearborncounty.in.gov or call (812) 537-8894 to speak to 

Sue Hayden with your RSVP or any questions.

Randall Avenue - Industrial Park

A Sampling of County Council Budget Hearing Notes from 25 August 2015

 25 August 2015 Dearborn County Council Budget Hearing Notes

Present: Randy Lyness, President, Dennis Kraus. Sr., Dan Lansing, Liz Morris, Charlie Keyes, Ryan Brandt, and Bill Ullrich. 

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor and Leah Bailey, Comptroller

These notes are for the morning hearing and start with the 9:30 AM Agenda item. I did not attend the afternoon session.

Planning and Zoning- Mark McCormack- copier doing well- and Council asked if any other depts. had one like theirs. McCormack agreed that they have  good one and that maybe they can have one or two per floor in the building and share. They lease theirs and the maintenance is included. They have the economic impact model with OKI on the Economic Development and an impact model. They don’t take schools into account in this model. This model is $2600/year to use. They input our yearly tax info and we are on a maintenance cost only with the economic impact model. The model tells what the tax impact would be as part of the property tax. This assumes no tax abatement in the process. The per diem for the board members was not sufficiently funded by Council even though Council members themselves set it as $75 for PC and $55 for BZA members. Legal services are all up from enforcement violations. There is an increase in subscriptions, training, and education or conferences due to GIS moving to them. He thought GIS salary was under PC now. $36,000 is the salary.   

Kraus asked about some of the projects and services they provide. McCormack said they are being asked by Commissioners, one of whom sits on the PC, to do some projects and studies for Redevelopment or Economic Development etc. They want things done in house and they appoint 5 of our members of the PC. 

McCormack did not put in an increase for salaries and wages. The assistant planner and zoning administrator spot were discussed at Personnel Advisory Committee. Blight elimination project has used a lot of work time.They want hours for adm. assistant like she had several years ago. He thought removing minute taker could combine with that perhaps. Hours spent have gone up 25% from last year to date this year.

Keyes said to move all GIS to commissioners so that PZ budget could be the same and it can be tracked better. Council agreed as did McCormack. There is also a $12,000 GPS item to locate hydrants etc. 

Andrea Schuter - GIS tech- said they use it for corner markers etc. They want to be able to locate utilities accurately, building corners, sign inventory etc for several different departments. Its a 2005 piece of equipment and is off by a foot. They are looking to be more accurate. 

Kraus said he is not sure they need to buy it at all. Council left it at that for now. 

Recorder- Glenn Wright- same budget as last year. Perpetuation Fund is for restoring and preserving county records. Most is paid for by user fees. 19 books restored for $47,000. His copier is 3-4 years old. It’s a black and white one. Council asked a lot of questions about their copier trying to ascertain cost differences within the departments. He buys paper by the pallet instead of by the case. They use letter, legal and ledger size papers. Glenn said he tries to run it efficiently just like they do on the farm- you make do with what you have. He also expressed condolences to Dan Lansing on his Mom’s passing. 

Prosecutor- Bryan Messmore- Keyes asked about if he was ok’d to present for this. Messmore said the trial was still on the prosecution today and tomorrow for Ohio County murder trial. Witnesses had come into town. 

Brandt asked about the budget witness fees. They reduced to previous years fees. They will have to come back for additional expenses on witnesses. Prosecutor pays for depositions on prosecution witnesses.Deputy prosecutors are all lumped into one salary item. Messmore asked if there were any exceptions- none - so he didn’t have to go back to Aaron with that. There were essentially no questions on this budget.

Commissioners- Shane McHenry and Terri Randall-  Randall said they have few changes to their budget. Thought GIS moved to their budget. Council added the GIS contract $38,810 to their budget too. Lawsuits amount increased- because they have been coming back each year on those for additional funds. They run $35-40,000 each year. Randall said for a lawyer, $10,000 doesn't get you very far. Sue Hayden is moved from 2nd deputy to first deputy. She is listed as executive assistant. $28,000 for commissioners and $4,000 for Redevelopment work. 

McHenry said she has been 2nd deputy for 6 years- good employee- he feels it is time to move to first deputy. 

Ullrich agreed. Workers Comp has improved. Life insurance- is part of Med Ben bill- but that is in this budget. All Medical benefits come out of COIT fund. All other county benefits get paid out of general fund. 

Gas line items were questioned by Keyes. Is there a way to put remaining gas fund in Commissioners budget and get it out of sheriff budget. Randall said that would let them know we are looking at them for their gas use. 

Randall said she is already getting the reports form each dept. on the gas use. (So they are already seeing these numbers??) Council just wants to increase accountability. The sheriff uses about $120,000 out of the $300,000 gas bill Keyes said. 

Liz Morris asked about non-county employees in county vehicles. Liability. 

Randall said we discourage it- but it might happen and then we are covered per the insurance company. 

McHenry said that the talk to sheriff about the business of having family in the car as they pick up kids and head to Walmart. Then they cannot respond to a call after hours as family in car. Sheriff said they drop the Mrs and kids on the curb and run off to take care of business. Morris said - it creates ill will for public to see them using taxpayer funded gas for personal use. 

Kraus- agrees with raise for Hayden - goes above and beyond call of duty. Why do we have to spend almost $200,000 for lobbyists? One for Commissioners and one for Council. Lewis and Kappes and also Barnes and Thornburgh? 

Randall said that if she had to have just one- that Barnes and Thornburgh has gotten her a seat at the table with legislators. More useful to her. When they come out of legislature sessions, everyone wants to take to Barnes and Thornburgh, Randall said.  Lewis and Kappes has lost Aurora in the fee schedule. Even though he does well for us and we think the world of John Bond (sp?) per McHenry and Randall. Lewis and Kappes is a county wide effort. That contract comes up soon again. Randall said we need to put the other cities and towns on notice if we are going out of that ($35-40,000 our share of the nearly $80,000) Lewis and Kappes contract. 

Ullrich agreed that Barnes and Thornburgh is the way to go. Barnes and Thornburgh get about $120,000 for both contracts with the county. They also work with the judicial system to get grants.

Pennington- In 2016 every employee that touches money will have to be bonded. She likes to keep business local with Seitz but they may have to get bids on this as it will be a bigger expense now. 

Randall - ADA money is being needed to get us all ADA compliant. They have not done the Braille on signage yet as they wait till the new building comes in. Also adding stops on wheel chair ramps for Joe Johns and others etc. Morris said - these are unfunded federal mandates. There’s no money to help us do this. 

Morris suggested and they put that $38,000 into cum cap development to continue this. Decided to move to cum cap.

Randall pointed out the $5,000 with Harrison EMS increase.  PAWS stayed the same. 

Brandt asked about the computers and copiers- trying to get them under one contract. Randall said she could try to get on that in 2016. She has not had time. Not as straight forward as it seems. Advantage to having different ones so as not to be held hostage. She has not been able to tackle that one. 

McHenry thanked the Council for all their efforts.

Redevelopment Commission- Terri Randall- just the same as last year. nothing to discuss.

I left hearing at lunch break. 

I asked about the Umbaugh Budget Analysis from Monday morning and received a copy of their presentation materials as did the newspaper. 

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

24 August 2015 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

24 August 2015 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes

Present: Dennis Kraus, Jr., Chairman, Russell Beiersdorfer, Mark Lehman, Mike Hornbach, Art Little, Jake Hoog, Dan Lansing, Jim Thatcher.

ABSENT: Eric Lang

Also Present: Mark McCormack, Plan Director, Nicole Dailey, Assistant Planner, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.

ACTION ON MINUTES- July 27th meeting minutes approved. Mike Hornbach and Dan Lansing abstained. 

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

 Request: Zone Map Amendment Applicant/Owner: Dennis Kraus, Jr. / Richard and Reda Renck Site Location: Hyland Road and State Route #1 Legal: Sec. 23, T 7, R 2, Map #02-23, Parcel #006.000 & 006.001 Township: Kelso Size: 12.9 + Zoning: Currently Zoned Agricultural and B-1

Dennis Kraus Jr. stepped down as he had prepared the survey. He did not leave the room.  Mark Lehman lead the meeting as acting Chairman then. 

Mark McCormack went thru the staff report as below. He also showed a powerpoint and pictures of the area.

Staff Report:

3) This property—Kelso Township, Township 7N, Range 2W, Section 23, identified as being part

of parcel # 006.000 and all of parcel # 006.001—located on the southwestern portion of the

State Road 1 and Hyland Road intersection—is currently located within (both) Restricted

Business (B-1) and Agricultural (A) Zoning Districts.

4) During the Comprehensive Plan Update process, County staff identified these parcels as being used for Commercial and Agricultural purposes. The proposed development site is bordered to the west and northwest by Golf Course Uses; to north and northeast by Moderate-Density Residential and Institutional Uses; to the east by Moderate and Low-Density Residential Uses, and to the south and southeast the property is adjacent to Agricultural Uses. There is a cut out area around the existing house. They are proposing 52,000 sq ft of storage. 

5) The Applicants’ concept proposal estimates that additional development of the property will generate approximately 30-35 vehicle trips per day for the proposed use—based on the

volume(s) of the existing business. Please note: The Dearborn County Technical Review

Committee has the authority to require a full Traffic Analysis (in accordance with Article 23, Section 2320 of the Zoning Ordinance) during a Site Plan Review process, if necessary or applicable.

6) Please refer to Article 25, Table 25.1 of the Zoning Ordinance regarding the minimum

dimensional standards and maximum density requirements for a General Business (B-2)

District. A General Business (B-2) zoning classification would allow for a maximum building density of 15,000 square feet per acre. There is currently 36,997 square-feet of structural storage approved for the 4.1-acre property with the existing storage units. An additional 52,000 square-feet of structural storage is proposed with the Applicants’ proposed rezone. At this time, the proposed overall building density (approximately 6,900 sq. ft. / acre) is well below the maximum density that would be permitted in a General Business (B-2) Zoning District.

7) Please refer to the Goals and Strategies of the Comprehensive Plan, pages 59, 72-74, 95,

110, 116, 121, 148-149

8) Land Use Designation Criteria:

Please refer to the Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Element, pages 124, 142-149

 Moderate and Steep Slopes: As stated in the Comprehensive Plan, slopes with

gradients over 20% should be avoided for clearing, re-grading, or construction. There

appear to be no areas identified in this project that are intended to be developed that

meet or exceed this (20%) threshold.

 Floodplain/Flood Prone areas: No portion of the subject property appears to be

situated a one hundred (100) year flood hazard area (Flood Hazard Zone “A”), as

determined by the applicable FIRM Community Panel Map.

 Transportation Infrastructure / Functional Roadway Classifications:

 Hyland Road is a Category I Local Road—with a paved width ranging from

17 to 18 feet in this area.

 State Road 1 is a Category II Arterial Road—with a paved width ranging from

24 to 25 feet in this area. (Traffic = 6,822 vehicles per day in this section)

*The transportation figures included in this section have been determined by referencing

INDOT traffic counts and County staff’s field inspection(s). These measurements are not

intended to imply that there are uniform conditions on the roadways referenced.

 Sanitary Sewer: This proposal does not require a new connection to public sewer at

this time—or expanded sewer service. The existing property is served with sewer from

the Town of St. Leon.

Technical Review Committee Recommendations and Findings:

9) Please refer to the Technical Review Report / letter from the July 6th, 2015 Technical Review Committee Meeting. Please note that as of Thursday, August 13th, these items remain incomplete or questionable:

 The letters / documentation confirming an acknowledgement of the site’s fire and EMS

services;

 A description of the site’s proposed security measures and lighting (as recommended).

10) Please refer to the Applicant’s Zone Map Amendment statement(s) and enclosures copied to the planning board.

They need to consider the written commitments if they give a favorable recommendation. The area around the house needs to be considered to make it a bit bigger to make it shielded from potential future uses in the B-2 zone. 

Dennis Kraus, Jr. spoke as the surveyor. There is central sewer. Electric is the only utility serving the storage uses. He never could get a letter from St Leon Fire Dept. There is an electronic gate across the driveway with a keypad. There are fences around sections of the property. Access has to be three the electronic gate. The original zoning did include the parcel across SR 1 that is essentially unusable for building, so there is probably no benefit to being zoned B-2. Most of it is in SR 1 highway right of way. This old rezone was from the 1980s. Lighting would be consistent with what is already there and on the existing buildings. There is one security light out front that would be freestanding. There is existing detention and more is being considered for the site. Kraus then left the room.

Sam Renck- There is security lighting every 50 ft. We live in the house - so we have on-site security too. 

Mark Lehman and the board want to move the north line all the way from the house to SR 1 to shield the house. 

Beiersdorfer- Where is closest fire plug? In the church lot across the street. 

PUBLIC DISCUSSION:

Mr Bardell (sp?)- property is just south of the Renck property. How does this affect our property? If we wanted to be B-2 also? Lehman explained that it would fall in line with the current uses- but they would have to come to the board with a site plan. My parents owned this land initially. The land is just sitting there- growing weeds and groundhogs I guess.

END PUBLIC DISCUSSION

Art Little- thinks it is already there- no problem with extending it. 

Jim Thatcher- Good with it.

Jake Hoog- Falls in line with what is there and it fits all five of the criteria for a rezone. It shouldn’t affect the property values any.

Dan Lansing- This is fine and it shouldn’t affect traffic.

Russ Beiersdorfer- OK- but change the line to the SR 1 from the house and across the road it should move to Ag. Any other businesses moving in would have to have  traffic study possibly.

Mike Hornbach- agrees along the same lines and a traffic study IF the use changes to get 1000 per day. 

Beiersdorfer motioned and Hoog seconded for a favorable recommendation for B-2 for 12.9 (+ or - with changes) acres contingent on the resurvey of the south side of the B-2 are to be north of the house straight out to SR 1 and if another rB-2 business comes in there needs to be a commitment for a traffic study. The area east of SR 1 be changed from B-1 to Ag. All ayes Passed.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Garrett Walker- started as new planner. From Ball State.

Next will be working on the Comp Plan. They will format everything to get a consistent feel to the plan. 

Nicole is working on demolition projects. 

Aurora had code court for the first time with the county. They are working with BZA there and met with Historic Preservation there too. If there is too much time involved- Aurora will have to pay more or we will have to change our involvement there. 

St Leon is starting update of their plan that will last about 6 months to a year. 

Budget hearing for Planing is tomorrow. We have more expenses as we absorbed GIS into our office. Asking for $12,000 for equipment that will locate fire hydrants etc. Some of the old equipment is off by a considerable amount. Kraus Jr. said he doesn’t think it’s off that much. There have been a lot of changes  in GPS world- so it might be good to have this replaced as the old one is 10 years old. We were going to increase the per diem. Only because they didn’t give us enough for our boards should all members show and all meetings occur each month.

He also requested more money for the assistant planner in order to keep them for more than 2 years. ( It’s costly to rehire and retrain too)

Legal budget is going to increase probably. We have to be more selective with enforcement. 

Going to bring some more ordinance amendments in the future on cell towers and signage.

Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

Budget Hearings for 2016 County Council- Agenda

Budget Hearings County Council for 2016
August 24-28

[NOTE: This agenda was not received until late this morning.  Other items may be discussed that are not listed on this agenda. Council fits other discussions in around the scheduled items.]

August 24

9 AM Budget Analysis- Umbaugh and Associates
10 AM- Building Dept- Bill Shelton
10:30 Veterans Office- Mike Burgess
11 Am- Surveyor- Dennis Kraus, Jr
11:30 AM Health Dept- Dr Scudder

Break for Lunch 12-1

1:15 PM Maintenance- Eric Hartman
1:45 PM- Superior Probation and Community Corrections- Steve Kelly
2:45 PM Visitors Bureau- Deb Smith
3:15 PM Lifetime Resources- Ann

August 25
8:45 PM Childrens Advocacy Center- Sarah Brichto
9 AM Solid Waste Mindy Smith
9:30 AM Planning and Zoning- Mark McCormack
10 AM- recorder- Glenn Wright
10:30 AM Prosecutor- Bryan Messmore
11 AM- Commissioners- Terri Randall and Shane McHenry

Break for Lunch 12-1

1:30 PM Cum Bridge - Todd Listerman

2:15 PM Juvenile Center -Traci Agner and Beth Blair

August 26

8:45 AM Highway- Tim Greive

9:15 AM Coroner- Steve Callahan

9:45 AM Probation- Steve Bradley

10:30 AMCommunications- Jared Teaney

11AMRegional Sewer District- Steve Renihan

Break for Lunch 12-1

1:30 PM Extension Mike Hornbach

2 PM Park Board- Jim RedElk

2:30 PMAssessor- Gary Hensley

3 PM Soil and Water- Brad Dawson

August 27

8:45 AMAnimal Control- Marlene Underwood

9:15 AM EMA- Bill Black

9:45 AM Sheriff Jail- Mike Kreinhop

Break for Lunch 11:45-12:45

1 PM Superior Court 2- Judge McLaughlin
1:30 PM- Clerk- Rick Probst

Missing Information Age Link- A Statewide Broadband Plan

Missing Information-Age Link:
A Statewide Broadband Plan

Editors: For immediate release. This is based on an article to be published in the upcoming issue of the quarterly Indiana Policy Review. It is available as a white paper here.

by Robert Yadon, Ph.D.,
and Barry Umansky, J.D.

Successful deployment of statewide broadband service is within reach for Indiana. However, the state must take a proactive, leadership stance to provide the necessary incentives to bring public and private resources together to reach this goal. Without a comprehensive state broadband strategic plan, each region would be left to the costly and time-consuming task of charting its own course independently.

Within the framework of federal law, and building upon the legislative achievements already made in the state, Indiana can take steps, outlined below, to establish a more meaningful, multifaceted and effective statewide policy to stimulate consumer demand for broadband and to provide a variety of incentives for consumers, businesses and Internet service providers to enjoy, provide and expand high-speed broadband across the state. To that end, here are suggestions for legislative and regulatory action:

• The State of Indiana should authorize and fund a survey of each Economic Development Region to ascertain the level and characteristics of demand and feasibility for broadband services 
• The State should make all state-owned buildings and state-owned lands available for wireless broadband and mobile phone facility siting and for deployment of fiber, cable and other broadband-capable transport facilities. 
• The Statewide Policy and Plan should encourage electric/telecommunications cooperatives to deploy broadband in rural and other areas of the State, so as to expand and improve broadband service and create greater broadband competition.
• The State should offer debt financing, if necessary, to municipalities that can demonstrate use of sound financial and technical plans to deploy broadband services so as to expand/improve broadband service and create greater broadband competition.
• The State also should consider, where consistent with reasoned state budget priorities, state grants and/or capital lease financing to help deploy broadband. Similarly, the State should consider providing state tax credits, loan guarantees, project debt financing and “private use” tax exemptions for broadband infrastructure projects. 
• Indiana should consider providing state tax credits to consumers and to businesses contributing to the costs of extending broadband access to their locations.
• The Indiana legislature should also consider providing tax and other incentives to consumers and businesses Investing in on-premises and mobile hardware and software to enable their full access to – and their ability to gain full benefits from – broadband. Similarly, Indiana should consider the provision of tax and other incentives to broadband/Internet-related software and “app” developers within the State. 
• As part of its statewide plan for broadband adoption/expansion, the Indiana legislature should adopt clear policies and rules that will foster the optimal mix of fiber and wireless broadband systems/technologies to serve particular geographic areas within the state. 
• The State should use such an “all of the above” approach also for the deployment of a set of infrastructure paths that also could lead to the state leading the country in creating “all-Internet-Protocol” telecommunications connectivity.
• Indiana should create, and provide sufficient state funding for, digital literacy education programs to educate Indiana residents and businesses as to the benefits and uses of broadband Internet. 
• Moreover, and consistent with a recommendation in the final report of the Indiana Rural Broadband Working Group – a committee formed by Indiana’s Lieutenant Governor Sue Ellspermann – we strongly urge the state to create a “Rural and Urban Broadband Center.”   The Center would help educate and guide the state, its counties, municipalities, economic development officials and citizens, as well as potential broadband investors.  

Given the economic structure of Indiana, failing to participate fully in promoting and using multiple funding strategies and incentives likely would delay for decades Indiana’s full participation in the information economy and achieving a nation-leading broadband future for the state.

Robert E. Yadon, Ph.D., is director of the Digital Policy Institute (DPI), professor of Information and Communication Sciences at Ball State University and an adjunct scholar of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation. Barry D. Umansky, J.D., is a senior fellow of DPI, professor of Telecommunications at Ball State, and a communications attorney. DPI is an independent digital communications research and policy organization established in 2004. 

DC Redevelopment Commission Executive Session and Meeting Date/Time Changed

DC Redevelopment Commission Executive Session and Meeting Date/Time Changed

PUBLIC NOTICE

Change in Date and Time of DCRC Meeting

The Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission has 

changed their scheduled Thursday September 10, 2015 at 

9 a.m. meeting to Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 

9:30 a.m. 

The meeting will still be held in the Commissioners’ 

room at 215-B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, IN 

47025.


PUBLIC NOTICE

Executive Session 

The Dearborn County Redevelopment Commission 

will hold an Executive Session on

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m.

There will be a DCRC meeting at 9:30 a.m.

The purpose is to discuss interviews and negotiations with 

industrial or commercial prospects or agents of industrial or 

commercial prospects by the Indiana economic development 

corporation, the office of tourism development, the Indiana 

finance authority, an economic development commission, a 

local economic development organization (as defined in IC 5-

28-11-2(3)), or a governing body of a political subdivision. 

This is classified confidential by state and federal statute: 

IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b) (4)

And also for the purposes of discussing strategy with the respect 

to the purchase or lease of real property by the governing body 

up to the time a contract or option to purchase or lease is 

executed by the parties.

This is classified confidential by state and federal statute:  

IC 5-14-1.5-6.1(b) (2) (D)

These meetings will take place at the

Dearborn County Administration Building, 3rd Floor 

Commissioners Room,

215 B West High Street,

Lawrenceburg, IN  47025

AGENDA- August 24th Plan Commission Meeting

PLAN COMMISSION AGENDA 
Monday, August 24th, 2015 7:00 P.M.

A. ROLL CALL

B. ACTION ON MINUTES 

C. OLD BUSINESS SCHEDULED TO BE RE-OPENED 

D. OLD BUSINESS TO REMAIN TABLED 

E. NEW BUSINESS 1. Request: Zone Map Amendment Applicant/Owner: Dennis Kraus, Jr. / Richard and Reda Renck Site Location: Hyland Road and State Route #1 Legal: Sec. 23, T 7, R 2, Map #02-23, Parcel #006.000 & 006.001 Township: Kelso Size: 12.9 + Zoning: Currently Zoned Agricultural and B-1

 F. ADMINISTRATIVE 

18 August 2015 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

18 August 2015 Dearborn County Commissioners Meeting Notes

Present: Shane McHenry, President, Art Little, and Kevin Lynch

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Terri Randall, Administrator

OLD BUSINESS:

McHenry said he received email from Todd Listerman with 3 papers that were already passed on Kaiser Road Bridge that needed to be signed. Approved.

NEW BUSINESS:

Litter Update- Celeste Calvitto- presented a check from the Beacon for $4000 to commissioners. 100 signs ordered per Listerman. Community Corrections can collect litter on 4 roads that won’t require road closures. They have 4 Saturdays. Mollie from Recycling Center- Not all litter is trash- some is recyclable. So they will work in teams of two to separate trash from recyclables as they go. They will have a deputy there to keep people knowing that collecting is going on. Mollie said prevention is as important as cleaning it up. Hoping that people seeing the signs will help with that. They want to keep increased access to recycling and trash bins. They are thinking of getting students to decorate their own recycling containers and distributed on various properties to be used by the public. They want to make more people aware of the problem. Signage or billboards may help. The will release dates and times when they firm it up with Todd. 

McHenry thanked them for the donation.

Zone Map Amendment request for Tootles Trust/Maxwell- Planning and Zoning Director, Mark McCormack- Baudendistel said that the survey is not done showing the 25 acre carve out of the 90 acres so they can’t decide on this tonight. [NOTE: At the PC the board said that the survey had to be done before they brought this to commissioners for decision. I stated that tonight as well. ] The commissioners thought they could hear this tonight anyway. The applicant and owner were not present tonight. Nor were any neighbors. 

McCormack said he could be back for a later meeting when this would come up for decision when the surveyor (Stenger) who said he could be finished in about a month or 6 weeks. 

McCormack represented the same material as he did from the PC- Reference those notes previously posted on the blog. He showed pics of the area. He also stated that a traffic analysis and railroad access would be needed before development. McCormack said that he has expected the applicant to be there. Tabled until the survey was done. Lynch tried to get it decided tonight to be as business friendly as possible. Mark McCormack told him the PC wanted the survey in and also that the notification of neighbors  

Appointment of new EMA Director- Jason Sullivan- was approved by Commissioners at the recommendation of the EMA board. It s effective Sept 1, 2015 

ADMINISTRATOR- Terri Randall- was in on the interviews and when she first saw him she wasn't sure until they interviewed. She is impressed. 

Had a pow-wow with Dillsboro and neighboring emts and fire to try to get them to work together. Lynch couldn’t be at that meeting. They wanted to centralize some things and she will come with an agreement with a consultant on this later. 

Glenn Brandt in Manchester emt is retiring in August. 

The emts at the meeting brought up some issues with radio waves and hearing. They want to run with that to see whether can do for communication out there.  

McHenry thinks Jason Sullivan and Jared Teaney can handle that project.

AUDITOR- Gayle Pennington- Claims and Minutes from Aug 4th meeting approved. 

ATTORNEY- Andy Baudendistel- finalizing Aurora details for 3 year lease on the Purdue Extension office. It has an early termination clause. It will be presented at the budget hearings.

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS- Lynch- congratulated Randall for being recognized as top 20 people in government by Business Courier. Also thanked everyone for the OKI luncheon and the tremendous turnout. Hoping people will turn out to come back and see SE Indiana opportunities again. 

Moment of silence for Mary Lansing- the matriarch of the Lansing family in Greendale- many of whom are active in the county and in their Greendale community. 

Little concurred as did McHenry.

McHenry thanked Celeste and Mollie for the litter campaign and the generous check. 

PUBLIC COMMENT- none

LATE ARRIVAL- none

Meeting Adjourned at 5:42 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township

Investigative article submitted concerning county jail health care provider

I respectfully submit the following story by Investigative Reporter, Brian Sononstein, 'Advanced Correctional Healthcare: Brutal Brand of Jailhouse Medicine' for posting in the Public Forum. 

http://shadowproof.com/2015/08/03/advanced-correctional-healthcares-brutal-brand-of-jailhouse-medicine/

Kind regards,

Kelley Kingston-Strayer

[NOTE: This is the company the Dearborn County jail uses for healthcare of the inmates.]

AGENDA August 18th Commissioners Meeting

AGENDA

DEARBORN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

5:00 p.m., Commissioners Room

County Administration Building

215 B West High Street, Lawrenceburg, Indiana

I.          CALL TO ORDER

II.          PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

III.         OLD BUSINESS

           

IV.        NEW BUSINESS

            1.  Litter Update – Celeste Calvitto

            2.  Zone Map Amendment Request – Maxwell/ Tootles Trust - Planning & Zoning Director, Mark McCormack

            3.  Appointment of New EMA Director

V.         ADMINISTRATOR – Terri Randall

           

VI.        AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington

            1.  Claims/Minutes

VII.       ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel

           

VIII.       COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

            IX.        LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION

X.         PUBLIC COMMENT

XI.        ADJOURN

Good Economics Requires Humility

Good Economics
Requires Humility

reprinted with permission of IPR

by Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D.

What is the key to prosperity for the state of Indiana and its counties and towns?

Economist Adam Smith argued all that is necessary to raise a society to the highest level of “opulence” is “peace, easy taxes and a tolerable administration of justice.” If these conditions prevail then prosperity will emerge “by the natural course of things.” The quote is from the 1755 lecture notes of his student Dugal Stewart. 

Unpacking the three conditions reveals Smith’s insight to be as true today as in the mid-18th century. Civil order is necessary for prosperity. Who is going to make an investment in worn-torn Syria? Closer to home, it is unlikely investors will be fronting new businesses in Ferguson, Mo., anytime soon. Protecting life and property is the first obligation of all governments.

“Easy" taxes also grease the skids. Note the proposition does not say no taxes or even minimal taxes — rather, it suggests a tax burden that has some reasonable relation to the services the government provides.

Unfortunately, this tells us little about what to tax at a local level (Property? Income?) or how to structure the tax (proportional or graduated scale?). However, we can surmise that if taxes are used to enrich a privileged class, or if they are designed to redistribute income from taxpayers to favored recipients they are probably not easy taxes for everyone else. 

Finally a “tolerable” administration of justice: Tolerable is one of those old-fashioned words my grandparents used. “Feeling tolerable today” meant that Grandma was doing OK, maybe OK plus, but not outstanding. Justice doesn’t have to be perfect but it must reach some acceptable benchmark. I suspect when a municipality receives a fifth of its revenues from fines for minor parking and traffic infractions, as is the case in Ferguson, taxes are neither easy nor is justice tolerable. I also suspect this has something to do with the absence of peace in the jurisdiction.

Smith made a number of other observations relevant to local prosperity in his well-known "Wealth of Nations" in 1776 and in his final revision of his "Theory of Moral Sentiments in 1790." The most important strain in his thinking, in my humble opinion, is that local council members and administrators should be humble.

The “magistrate” should avoid arrogantly believing he knows what is best for everyone, or that his vision is the perfect fit for the community. He should carefully monitor local conditions and circumstances and listen to all his constituents — whether political allies or not. He should be wary of economic development “fads.” What works well in California or New York may not work at all in Indiana, what is good for South Bend may be irrelevant for Hartford City. And on the point: It is not what Mr. or Ms. Public Servant do that matters — it is what their constituents can do for themselves that is the key to prosperity.

Of course, this is all well and good until a specific action must be taken. Should EDIT funds be used for bicycle trails? Should the XYZ Company get a tax abatement? Should the governmental unit hire an extra worker for code ordinance enforcement or should the resources be used for better parks and recreation programs?  

This far down in the weeds Smith gives no answer — nor is it reasonable to expect that any other “expert” can give definitive answers to local questions. Sound principles matter but there is no substitute for local knowledge to answer local questions.  

Cecil Bohanon, Ph.D., is a professor of economics at Ball State University.

---

The Indiana Policy Review Foundation is a non-profit education foundation focused on state and municipal issues. It is free of outside control by any individual, organization or group. It exists solely to conduct and distribute research on Indiana issues. Nothing written here is to be construed as reflecting the views of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation or as an attempt to aid or hinder the passage of any bill before the legislature or to further any political campaign.

12 August 2015 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes- 2.5 hours

 12 August 2015 Dearborn County Council Meeting Notes

Present: Randy Lyness, President, Dennis Kraus. Sr., Dan Lansing, Liz Morris, Charlie Keyes, Ryan Brandt, and Bill Ullrich. 

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor and Teresa Randall, County Administrator

OLD BUSINESS

NEW BUSINESS

HOGAN CREEK WATERSHED COORDINATOR- Soil and Water- Heather Werth- Grant application signature. Terri Hall- Chair of the Board introduced herself and explained that they were there to inform them about the grant they were seeking. Heather Werth said that IDEM is running the program. The current grant ends in March. They want to extend the program through this grant. $200,000 is the cost share of this. There is no cost to the county. It s all a reimbursement grant. Landowners install the remediation and then they get reimbursed. It runs for 3 years and 3 months. There is no dredging. They do things like planting trees and increase vegetation in a buffer strip. The district forester will draw up the plan for that. Ullrich motioned and Morris 2nded. Passed.  

911- Jared Teaney- looking at updating their 911 recorder that is 10 years old. Parts etc hard t get. $59,140 needed out of 911 fund. Five year warranty is included. The $19,100 is the warranty and maintenance cost that is include in the $59,140 total. The old recordings will be accessible still. Lynn's asked if this was put out for competitive bids. Teaney said yes. And this company is used by several other debts. Brandt motioned and Lansing 2nded. Passed.

Council Discussion- Possible funding of the Annex project and possible funding of a comprehensive financial plan:

Kraus- What does the construction manager do before the construction starts? Maxwell- We do budgeting and systems recommendation.

James Secrest- grew up in Lawrenecburg and Aurora. Heard we need jail and courthouse. We have a heroin problem. We need a treatment center- more than an annex. We could spend our money in a better way.

Kathy Scott- I came because I understand that you have an ongoing process. There is a lot of pressure to do this now. It is disturbing that since 2004 the county has not been putting money aside for this. We have a stock market in the tank and job issues for young people. The paper ran articles about the state taking our boat money. I know you need more space and space is not needed as much if we store things in the cloud. Security issue- do you really want people camping out in the rotunda and in areas you can’t see all of them? Taking in prisoners to get more funds is being discussed. She asked Maxwell about the space needs numbers saying we needed 37,000 square feet. 

Maxwell said the gross area is in the 37,000 sq ft range. He said when they reviewed the 2004 studies and interviewed people it was amazingly close to the needs in 2014. We never talked about a basement. Prisoner security and delivery was problem they hadn’t solved because they weren’t architects. The architects did that with the basement. 40% of the basement is in use for prisoner delivery. Kathy Scott said that can’t we take the 16,000 sq ft in courthouse out of that to cut it down by 10,000 sq ft or so. 

Scott Carnegie with DLZ said that ultimately we are using the existing sq ft in the courthouse along with the 37,000 sq ft in the annex. 

Ulrich said that the usable sq ft in courthouse is being used under a lot of duress. The courts really need more space. Lansing unasked and they answered -There is some money in the total to fix the old house some too. 

Kathy Scott noted that we are losing population. We have to be careful about taxing people more in this economy. In 2008 assessment per acre was about half of what it is now. For people in Agriculture this will be a big burden. Similarly for businesses. She thinks they shouldn’t rush thru this- maybe stop and take a breather for a year and think about this. She’s not sure many of our millennial generation will care about going into a Greek style Courthouse. 

Aaron Negangard- County Prosecutor- We started talking about this in 2002. This is not a rush to judgement. If Judges took 13 years to judge a case they’d be disbarred. We are saving $20 million off the 2004 plans at $44 million. It cannot be any small than this. It is barely sufficient to have that space in a courtroom. You could vacate my office- but you cannot turn it into a courtroom as it was built in the 1870’s. The public may not be aware of all the scenarios we have looked at. We looked at tearing down the juvenile center and expanding there. Going off site won’t work as it will be too expensive. We do store things with computers now- the clerk is digitized. Part of the jail program is to treat chemical addiction. I agree we do have a heroin problem. We have  courthouse that is not in compliance with the law on disabilities and it is a fire hazard. Warming up to the topic he went on about security in the courtrooms and shooters being able to wipe out a courtroom. He talked about Joe Johns being able to sue them if he wanted to again. We are not asking for the Taj Mahal. This is for the people. I am tired of talking about it. I understand that it will not be a tax increase under the current plans. I encourage Council to vote for what is right so that all the people working in the Courthouse can come in a safe functional environment so that they can do their job. This county has a legal obligation to provide all the elected officials  with a functional office. This is the cheapest way we can do it. 

Terri Hall-warned about sticking to 11.2 Million to be sure not to go over budget as it will be close to the 12million needed to go to public vote. She agrees we need space- and where it is and how it looks is more a matter of personal preference.

Chris Mueller- I’d like these questions and the answers to be part of the  official minutes of this meeting. Pennington nodded that she could do that. 

RE: The additional requested for $275,000 for Maxwell and DLZ- 

Is this in addition to the $343,000 contract for Maxwell as construction manager? 

Terri Randall said among other things that it was part of it but that the total for both DLZ and Maxwell was more like $900,000 to $1million dollars on the annex.

Is there a contract with Maxwell and DLZ as to a budget and work product for this sum?

Brad Rullman of Maxwell Construction explained that this was part of the 2nd of three phases in their contract.This money comes out of the total $11.2 million price tag.

How much is each entity allowed? 

Rullman said that is not specified.

2. Can the Auditor create separate accounts for Maxwell and DLZ’s contracted budget amounts so that these items are easy to track with respect to expenditures and staying within budget?

Answer- Yes and Council asked Pennington if that would entail extra work on her part. She said not really. Council asked how they could do this- did they need to have a vote to create the extra line item. Yes. and they will discuss that after they decide on the funding -or not- for the annex. [NOTE: They tabled this later as Randall said she had to figure out Maxwell and DLZ contract language on this.]

3. Can you request any changes to the design of the annex as a stipulation for funding? It seems like there were no concessions to the public comments and the historical society comments that were considered in the final vote. The design is the original one. What’s the point in public input if it is completely ignored? 

Shane McHenry took exception to my stating that they ignored the public input and said that Chris McHenry told him that historical society had no problem with the facade design. He did soften it a bit to say that perhaps I had talked to others who expressed a different viewpoint. 

The Council said that they needed to vote on what the Commissioners had sent to them, but Ullrich said that this was not completely decided yet as the drawings could change things as they get further into design. Bottom line is that the Council was not going to change what the Commissioners sent- at least not in any way attached to the money request. Perhaps they will talk about it behind the scenes.

4. On the record I’d like to ask one more time- Do any of you (and specifically Mr. Lyness) have any financial or business relationship that constitutes an ethical or legal conflict of interest regarding the proposed county annex construction and financing?

Randy Lyness stated that he had informed Council that he would not vote on this tonight. He stated that he had handled what he needed to handle legally regarding his son being part owner of Maxwell Construction as advised by the county attorney already. He also stated that he is working with Maxwell in Harrison too. (He is subcontractor on Main Source Bank project and Maxwell is the contractor) He also said that ethically I do not know anything about him. (This was probably in reference to a recent editorial I had written on this matter. He was not happy about that.) He stated that John Maxwell was probably his best friend and also his brother in law. He said that some people had told him that he was voted in to do a job and that’s why he should vote on this. I told them that I hear from the public because of what I write on the blog and that sometimes the public does not understand or feel like they get all the facts. I have trouble myself at meetings at times when discussions don’t spell out the details or I find things out that office holders all know because they talk behind the scenes. The public doesn’t hear that. I told him I was glad he decided to do the ethical thing and not vote. And that I thought I did know what he stood for ethically. I said I read that family was very important to him, which is why it would be hard to be unbiased in this decision. 

Morris and Ullrich said that the headlines of the paper should boldly note that he abstained on this. 

I said that it is important that the public have confidence in the decision process. Keeping it untainted by abstaining on voting due to ethical issues helps do that. I thanked him for taking that stance. 

James Secrist- Again about terror in the nation and talking about more than dirty windows here. Also more on needing rehab for the drug issues.

Lyness said that it will be more expensive- we need to do it now. 

James Secrest said that for guy who is not voting he is sure influencing votes. 

Keyes said that Lyness is not influencing him. He can speak and he will listen to everyone here. Keyes said people are talking to him about this too. 

Kraus said that he believes that Randy Lyness is doing the right thing by not voting. Known him since 1994 when they were on Council and he respects him. My son is President of Plan Commission and when my surveys comes in - my son leaves and stays out of the room and doesn’t vote. Lyness said that he will leave the room now. And Kraus as VP can take over. Then he left to go to the hallway outside.

Kraus talked briefly re parking and ways to expand.He then ceded to Judge Cleary.

Judge Jon Cleary said that he wanted to speak about how to decide when to help a person or remove them from society. The county is different county. I never saw a police officer unless someone died growing up. Now we have many felonies in this county. Difficult cases are coming in.We have squeezed in that building as long as we can. Mr. Lyness has left the room- I heard him say he wants the county to be a better place for his sons. I think we have to get us some reasonable court space now. 

Liz Morris- We have paid cash for Hoosier Square and cash for the jail and now we are on track to pay cash for this. She detailed all the progress made and paid for with cash in terms of the programs in the jail. This is the last major project we have to do for many many years to come. She thinks we have done all the due diligence and research necessary on this project. 

Dennis Kraus- Does it have to be the one with the rotunda- or can you live with any one of the three? No final answer. They seemed to think the other two choices were less space or no basement. But all three have basement. 

Judge Humphrey- When we have a jury trial I wish you could see the circus we have to go through to get all the people set up in the trial. Jurors for selection sometimes its 50-60 people. It takes a large area. Judge McLaughlin has a trial and I have 3 speedy trial requests slapped on me that I have to accommodate in 70 days. 

Lansing- If this passes- taxes will go up. Last year we used 4.8 million to balance budget. In May we had $2million in additionals. $750,000 increase in the jail budget over last year. We can pay for it out of savings- but taxes will go up. It’s the nature of the beast. 

Liz Morris- Business is in business to make money and government is in business to serve the people. 

Lansing- I don’t know when there is ever a better time- but it will cost taxes eventually. 

Ullrich- said that the design of the facade is in the fine points. Maybe they can change facade or the final design. 

Morris- The commissioners voted on Option 2 with the full basement and the rounded front.

Brandt- The basement needs to be done now. We wouldn’t be fiscally responsible if we didn’t decide to build that now. McLaughlin has been patient about getting a Courtroom. The consideration of citizens and staff and ADA compliance. We’ve had a 149% increase in felonies in Superior Court 1. 

Brandt motioned and Ullrich 2nd to fund $11.2 million for the annex and amended it to include the $275,000 additional out of Riverboat revenue. Keyes clarified that it was just for the funding not where it was coming from yet. So the funding source is undetermined. 4 ayes- Brandt, Morris, Ullrich and Keyes. Lansing and Kraus Nayes. Lyness not present for the vote. Passed.

Chris Mueller- I asked about where the funding was from- not decided yet.

Eric Ratz- DLZ- said that we are going to work on this and that we know we are not to exceed $11.2 million. We work on the plans and the council can work on their funding source. We don’t need to decide on the funding source tonight. [NOTE: Says the guy who is getting the $275,000 to wok with now. How come he is weighing in on the decision?]

Phil Darling- So what happens if the building ends up costing $15million?

Terri Randall- Spoke at length- but in a nutshell- they have the best people possible to estimate and we did a good job on the jail so we expect to stay on budget on this too.

   

Commissioners- Additional appropriation in  the amount of $275,000 for Maxwell Construction and DLZ Annex project- Decided and approved with the vote on the annex- see above.

AUDITOR- Gayle Pennington

Ordinance fee for Heritage Barn exemption discussion- people who have a heritage barn can apply for a deduction against the assessed value of that barn. The annual public safety fee cannot exceed $50. $25 to fire and $25 to police. The law allows this. Morris asked how old a barn has to be. Morris said she has seen some barns that are more like blight. Now they pay nothing. This would get $50 for safety services.They have to file every year to get the exemption. And pay the $50 at that time. Council tabled this to research further. IC 6-1.1-12-26.2 is the code involved. 

Ordinance fee for Business Personal Property discussion- local service fee for IC 6-1.2-3-7.3. This is for each person filing an annual certification stating their business personal property is exempt from taxation.This is a$50 fee too.This is for businesses with under $20,000 of personal property. Morris is in favor as a small business owner. It cost her $45 just to get her CPA to fill out the forms for this so a flat fee would be cheaper. Kraus abstains. Motion passed.

Health Dept. saw no cases and so the litigation line was eliminated in their budget. They now received money from a court case from Humphrey to add to the Health Dept. budget. They need to reinstate the original line item to receive this from the court order. Passed.

I asked about the line item for the Maxwell contract and the DLZ contract. It will be decided at budget because Randall needs to be sure about the soft contract numbers. They did not discuss the possible comprehensive financial plan that was also listed on the agenda for the annex discussion.

Minutes approved from July 21st meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township