County Council Meeting Notes July 19, 2023, 6-8 pm.  Audio

This post at Brown County Matters.

County Council Agenda

Pay Grade Increases. This was the last meeting that Departments could identify their requests for pay grade increases. These will be reviewed during the 2024 budget hearings. Requests made from Parks and Rec, Auditor, County Clerk, Commissioners, and Treasurer. Department asked to provide their 2024 budgets by July 2.

Pay and Benefits.  A 2018 Salary Study that compared pay and benefits with other counties our size indicated that Brown County salaries are competitive with other counties our size and we are more than competitive with benefits – health, longevity pay, life insurance, and paid holidays.  County employees often compare their pay with the larger surrounding counties with larger budgets.

Cost of Living – Tax Increases. The Council has routinely been approving higher taxes to cover up to a 3% cost of living increase for county employees.

Status on 2023 Budget. Routinely comparing the plan to the actual expenses is not part of the process. For example, the suggested goal for many funds is to maintain a 15% balance. Kim Kemp mentioned that the county consultants did find 800K that could be applied to cover the expected increase in health insurance-related costs,

Unfunded Requirement. Election Board required additional money (9,500.00) for equipment licenses and fees. Similar to capital improvements, the county does not maintain a consolidated list of all the recurring contracts and leases.

Audit- State Board of Accounts (SBOA). The SBOA identified that the money from the 3 million dollar recurring capital improvement loan cannot be used for operating expenses (ambulance contract). It is unknown at this time if the fund has to be reimbursed (about 500k). This was challenged at the time and the commissioner’s response was that is was legal to use a capital improvement loan to pay operating expenses.

Climate Change. The Project 46 initiative was on the agenda. The justification that has been cited for the project included a UN Climate Change Report. The County council was asked to support a resolution in favor of the project to include a suggested 50 cent per capita tax on all citizens ($7,500). The intent of the project is to leverage resources to apply for federal grant money. The project is supported by Bloomington, Columbus, and Nashville.  None of the council members were aware of the background on this project. Dave Redding (who works for Cummins) expressed interest and Jim Kemp explained his rationale as to why he would not support it.

This project was briefed on— at the Nashville Town Council.  The following link – Project 46 Brown County Climate Change included the audio and link to the UN Report and the program in Bloomington.