COMMISSIONERS MEETING
REGULAR SESSION
JANUARY 21, 2014 9:00 a.m.
ATTENDANCE:
COMMISSIONERS: Donald Walton, President
David Berry, Vice President
Max Watts
ATTORNEY: James Ensley, Attorney
AUDITOR: Lorie Hallett, Auditor
AUDIENCE: 11 individuals
The Putnam County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 21, 2014 at 9:00 a.m. at the Putnam County Courthouse Donald Walton opened the meeting and the pledge to the flag was given.
Donald Walton thanked all emergency personnel for their efforts during the recent storm.
COMMISSIONER APPOINTMENTS
The Commissioners selected Donald Walton as the President of the Board of Commissioners. David Berry made a motion to approve Walton as President and Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
The Commissioners selected David Berry as the Vice-President of Board of Commissioners. Max Watts made a motion to approve David Berry as Vice-President and Donald Walton seconded. The motion carried.
Donald Walton will represent the Commissioners on the Planning Commission, Operation Life Board and West Central Economic Development Commission.
David Berry will represent the Commissioners on the EMA Board, Redevelopment Commission, and E911 Board.
Max Watts will represent the Commissioners on the West Central Solid Waste Board, Board of Health and Greencastle, Putnam County Redevelopment Commission.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS-ANIMAL CONTROL
The plans are to have the shelter open by the summer of 2014. The County Option Dog Tax is already in place however, it would be increased to $5.00. In 2014 the Commissioners will dedicate $50,000.00 of the Edit money to this project, and the rest would be funded through grants and securing money from the communities and the Humane Society.
MINUTES-DECEMBER 16, 2013
David noted a change in the minutes-Floyd Fire should have read Michael Lambert was appointed to the board instead of just discussed.
CLAIMS
Claims presented for approval from 1-3-14, 1-10-14, 1-13-14, and 1-16-14. David Berry made a motion to approve the claims and Max Watts seconded. The motion carried.
Claims from 11-18-13 and 12-2-13 were approved on a motion made by David Berry and seconded by Max Watts. The motion carried.
1. Letter from DNR for distribution of money from sales of timber to be distributed to volunteer fire departments.
2. Letter from BLN for Pavement De4sign Request Submittal for Bridge 104.
3. VFIS-Nonrenewal for insurance for Putnam County Operation Life.
4. United States Bankruptcy Court notice meeting of creditors.
5. Tort Claim from Ken Nunn for Lisa Swogger
6. Tort Claim from Ken Nunn for Christopher Wade.
7. Official Ballot for FSA Committee Election.
8. Conference information from INPAA
9. Indiana LTAP Newsletter.
10. Indiana Preservationist Annual Report
SANDY AMERS
Ordinance 2014-1-21 regarding a 15 year waiting period on Homestead was approved and signed by the Commissioners.
Sandy also presented the Commissioners with EMA grant paperwork and they approved those.
PTABOA
Nancy Dennis presented the Commissioners with a list of people to be on the PTABOA for 2014. Nancy Dennis, Assessor, Betty Bertram-Democrat-County Resident, Jana Sillery-Republican-County Resident, Virginia Whipple-Democrat-Out of County Level II Beth Hinkle-Democrat-Alternate. David Berry made a motion to approve the list of people for the PTABOA and Max Watts seconded. The motion carried.
EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE RATES
February 1, 2014 is the renewal date for the Health Insurance Plan, along with this the new rates become effective also.
The Commissioners decided that in 2014 the employees had to absorb some of the increase in premiums. For 2014 all employees with the exception of Highway employees, will pay 15% of the total premium for their insurance. However the Highway employees will pay 10% of the total premium for their insurance. The Commissioners are trying to narrow the gap in the difference that is paid between the Highway employees and all other employees.
BZA APPOINTMENT
David Berry made a motion to appoint Kevin Scobee to the BZA and Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
PLAN COMMISSION APPOINTMENT
David Berry made a motion to appoint Ed Samsel to a four year term to the Plan Commission and Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
HOSPITAL BOARD
Max Watts made a motion to appoint David Bray to the Hospital Board and David Berry seconded the motion. The motion carried.
LOCAL DISASTER EMERGENCY DECLARATION
Tom Helmer as that the Commissioners sign the appropriate paperwork for the Local Disaster Emergency Declaration. The Commissioners signed the paperwork.
GIS-PLAT OFFICE PART-TIME HELP
Robbie Cudnik requested permission from the Commissioners to hire a part-time employee to help staff her office. The money was budget in the 2014 budget. David Berry made a motion to approve the employee and Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
RESOLUTION FOR COMMISSIONER SALE
Sharon Owens presented the Commissioners with the Resolution authorizing the upcoming Commissioners Certificate Sale. Kathy Deer representing Clear Creek Conservancy asked the Commissioners to assign the properties that still owe exceptional benefits and has on
structures on them to Clear Creek Conservancy for the minimum cost. The Commissioners approved the request on a motion made by Max Watts and seconded by David Berry. The motion carried
The Commissioners set the minimum bid for the Commissioners certificate sale at $25.00. David Berry made a motion to approve the minimum bid and Max Watts seconded the motion.
Mike Ricketts ask if Clear Creek Conservancy would be willing to allow the Highway Department to use one of these properties to store some of the equipment used to maintain the roads in the area. Kathy Deer said they would work with the Highway Department finding space for the storage of equipment barring any restrictions.
LAW ENFORCEMENT PARKING AT THE COURTHOUSE
Sheriff Steve Fenwick requested two more parking spaces be reserved at the courthouse. They would like to reserve the two spaces west of the current two spaces, now that there is two Courthouse Security Officers.
David Berry made a motion to approve the additional spaces and Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
HIGHWAY ANNUAL BIDS
David Berry made a motion to accept all the bids turned in for the annual highway bid process. Max Watts seconded the motion. The motion carried.
JIM ENSLEY
Jim Ensley updated the Commissioners on the contracts he is currently working on for the county.
ADJOURN.
Donald Walton made a motion to adjourn the meeting. David Berry seconded the motion. The motion carried.
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Donald Walton, President David Berry, Vice President
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Max Watts Attest: Auditor’s Office