6 FEBRUARY 2018 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

6 FEBRUARY 2018 DEARBORN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING NOTES

Present: Shane McHenry, President, Art Little, and Jim Thatcher

Also present: Gayle Pennington, Auditor, Andy Baudendistel, Attorney, and Sue Hayden, Administrator

TITLE VI STATEMENT FOR COMPLIANCE was read by Baudendistel

OLD BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

Indiana Region 9 Workforce Update- Kurt Kegerreis, Executive Director- annual update. Still a profound need for skilled workers. We have one of the lowest unemployment rates in the entire nation. Challenge of their work is that their funding is tied to the unemployment rate. Funding is down 42% and staff down 50%. Board is passionate about staying local and being tied to their communities. They go out to promote Work Indiana and Jobs for Graduates. We do this better than any other region. They work with some of the local schools. They also have a component to the workforce on the opiod epidemic also. thy have a hire program for ex-offenders. Trying to attract talent to the area also. The have audits also. 

McHenry said he was going to get on a soapbox here. These ex-offenders are taking server jobs etc , but the business has to neglect testing for marijuana because the use is wide enough that they would lose employees, which he doesn’t necessarily agree with. He hears the opiod epidemic but now we are on to another issue - amphetemines are the problem now. The government is working on this but the problem is changing. 

Kurt Kegerreis said he was using the current buzzword. But he does understand the problem. 

McHenry said that some of these people are talented people and they have a right to get a second chance. If they are sincere about getting and staying clean- they can be really good employees. 

Kegerreis - Because the unemployment rate is so low- the employers are willing to work with ex-offenders now. Now is their chance.

He also thanked Little for his faithful attendance. 

Zone Map Update- Planning and Zoning Director- Mark McCormack- Ordinance rezoning 347.676 acres in Lawrenceburg Township for the Oxbow- presented the purpose to continue them as the same uses in the oxbow’s already owned areas. McCormack presented the map and showed where these formerly industrial zoned lands were located. He also showed how much of this was in the floodway for the 100 year flood zone. He talked about the recreational area that was purchased and cleaned up. He also showed the structure they want to leave there and refurbish a bit. He also showed Oxbow pictures of the area. He presented the five criteria for a zone change. The 7 members of the PC gave it a unanimous favorite recommendation.

 Commissioners opened discussion to the Public. 

Tim Mara spoke for him and Dr John Seymour of oxbow. The property was acquired in Sept 2017. this encloses about 1000 acres and not one drop of public money needed to purchase this. Seymour said they provide a unique resource. This bumps up against Shawnee Lookout making it a 5000 acres of continuous protected area. 400 plus acres of this is being farmed. 

Baudendistel read the ordinance changing the zone. Opened public comment. No one spoke. 

Commissioners approved the zone change and signed the ordinance.   

Replacement for Citizen Appointment on Plan Commission and BZA- Baudendistel explained that they needed to replace the dual appointment and Mark Lehman offered to do the BZA post also. They have an alternate for Lehman if he had a BZA timing conflict. Both Thatcher and Little agreed he was a good choice. Approved. The need one for the Plan Commission. Thatcher said all were good choices. He wanted someone younger and commissioners approved Michael Lynch- Kevin Lynch’s son. [NOTE: There was a residency requirement question on this regarding him being appointed to be Lynch’s commissioner replacement. Has that been rectified?]

Signatures for Lykins Turn-around Survey- Commissioners approved and McHenry signed.

Re-establish the Cum Bridge and Cum Capital Development TAX rates- Baudendistel- said Gayle had provided information about this. This raises the tax rate for property taxes to the maximum allowed for these two funds. Cum cap has to do with anything that has to do with running or maintaining the courthouse. You have to re-establish the rates or else they decrease and go away. They have to be done between Jan and May. This hasn’t been re-established in 10 years. The bridge fund does the same thing.This is about $50/year on a $150,000 home of assessed valuation. Thatcher asked what triggers getting it re-established. Umbaugh brought it to their attention. Pennington said the Commissioners establish it and then it gets advertised again for public to comment or remonstrate??? McHenry wants this to table till March 20 EVENING meeting so public can comment and he can see what Council wants to do. Commissioners agreed to table. Little said we should do it every year so there is no big increase like this.  

Health Benefits- Medical and Rx Program- Pennington said Pinnacle and Med Ben have been working together on this. No changes that you are not aware of already. This just combines it into one document. McHenry said they do meet frequently on this, so he is up to date. They try to encourage generics, but they can choose to get brand name and the employee pays the extra. Approved and signed by McHenry. 

Board Appointments for Miller Township- Thatcher recommended an older person who serves on other boards and his name is Robert Starks from HVL. Approved.

ADMINISTRATOR – Sue Hayden

Nepotism Certification for the Year End 2017- housekeeping item that all elected officials have to sign and she needs Commissioners to publicly certify that all public officials have signed these.

Barnes and Thornburg 2018 State Government Relations Engagement- Lobbyist contract- this requires McHenry’s signature - approved. Council had cut their budget to $75,000 on this.

2018 Highway Paving Agreement with O’Mara - presented for Listerman- last paper for Community Crossings Matching Grant to be signed by McHenry. Approved. 

AUDITOR – Gayle Pennington -Claims approved and minutes from January 16th approved. 

ATTORNEY – Andy Baudendistel- nothing more

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Little - congratulated Jim Thatcher for becoming Commissioner and Pennington on being Clerk of Courts and said this is her last meeting as Auditor.

McHenry concurred and also commended the highway guys doing an excellent job in the weather, especially after the Super Bowl.

LATE ARRIVAL INFORMATION- none

PUBLIC COMMENT-none

ADJOURN- 10:06 AM

Christine Brauer Mueller

Lawrenceburg Township