Commissioner Meeting Notes, Aug 16, 2023.

Town of Nashville Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan – Sandie Jones. This project was sold by a former commissioner as a “Joint” endeavor funded with a grant of 20K from the Indiana Department of Health, and 20K from the County. The source of the funds is from the ARPA money. The Plan would be used to apply for grants to fund the construction of the paths/trails. Cost likely in the millions.

There was only one bid for the project that came in at 51K – 11,000 over budget. Nashville proposed that the County add in another 5,500 and the Town would add in 5,500. Given the commitment to funding, Commissioner Pittman questioned the “jointness” of the project.

Another contract stipulation was that the commissioners were to allow contractors to trespass on private land to conduct trail-related surveys. Commissioners Sanders objected to this stipulation. Commissioners are to make a final decision at their next meeting.

Scenic Overlook on 135. The Parks and Rec Board asked the Commissioners to transfer the deed to Parks and Rec which the commissioners have agreed to do. The county received the deed to the land from INDOT. The plan is to build a new shelter to replace the one that INDOT decided was beyond repair.

Position Descriptions. Commissioners approved a new ordinance reinforcing that the Commissioners are responsible for “job descriptions.” The Council retains responsibility for determining funding (salary/grade).

Standard practice (State and Federal) is for a position description to be classified. “A job classification identifies a group of positions to have sufficiently similar duties, authority, and responsibility such that: 1) the same qualifications may reasonably be required for, and 2) the same schedule of pay can be equitably applied to all positions in the group.” Ref: ISPD.  https://www.in.gov/spd/files/compensation-definitions.pdf

The County Council has concluded that Brown County’s system needs to be re-engineered.  Should be interesting – reminds me of the quote from Einstein: ““We can not solve our problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”