DECATUR COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING MINUTES


OCTOBER 17, 2006


The Decatur County Council held their October 17th meeting with the following present: Ernie Gauck- President, Rheadawn Metz, Tom Carroll, Geneva Hunt, Al Knecht, Rose Hellmich, Ken Owens and Janet Chadwell- Deputy Auditor.

Mr. Owens moved to approve the September 19th meeting minutes as read and Mrs. Hunt seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.

Carol Beck of the Health Department told Council members she has advertised for the position of food inspector. The Health Board would prefer a person having a degree in science so the sanitation person and the health specialist could cross-train. Mrs. Beck stated after January 1, 2007 all food establishments and grocery stores will pay an annual permit fee of $50.00. She asked to change the starting salary to $25,000 for the health specialist as after some interviews no one wanted the job for $21,000 (8% less for new hire). Mr. Owens made a motion to allow Mrs. Beck to hire a food inspector at the current salary of $23,024 and after January 1st the salary would be $23,500. Mrs. Metz seconded the motion. Motion carried 7-0.

Washington Township Assessor Francis Geis asked for the Council’s approval to enter into a contract with Ginny Whipple for picking up Honda’s assessments- both real estate and personal property. Ms. Whipple stated someone needs to stay on top of the whole Honda project. According to Ms. Whipple the Commissioners have given a tentative approval for such a contract. Ms. Whipple is asking for a retainer and a salary of $2,300 a month or $95 per hour. Mr. Knecht suggested waiting until the new County Assessor takes office and see if she is in favor of such a contract. Council members agreed to think about Mr. Geis’ request.

County Commissioners Jerome Buening told the Council the request for additional monies of $60,000 is to complete payments to RQAW and Bruns for work on the Washington School/Work Release Center. Mrs. Metz moved and Mr. Knecht seconded the motion to approve all additional requests. Motion carried 7-0.

ADDITIONALS: Cumulative Capital Development- $60,000; County General- $4,130 & Health- $17,521.

Mr. Gauck asked those in the audience if they had anything to say or ask. Bill Ernstes asked if anyone from the City Council had approached any County Council members about dissolving the agreement/ordinance which had created the Greensburg-Decatur County Airport. Mr. Owens said he only knew what he had read in the newspaper- no one has been contacted. Once the City said they would support/take the airport forward alone, the FAA gave a ninety day extension for the grant application. Mrs. Metz stated she doesn’t want eminent domain used to expand or relocate the airport.

Sheriff Daryl Templeton reported the Work Release Center is doing well- currently there are ten in the work release program and he’s getting requests from neighboring counties to transfer ones to use our program.

With nothing else to come before the Council, Mrs. Hellmich moved adjourn and Mr. Knecht seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.