Agenda Commissioner meeting Apr 3 2024

Audio of the Meeting:

Infrastructure Repairs/Replacements.

• • Jail AC Units.  Commissioner Sanders proposed funding a partial replacement of the Jails AC Units versus all at once. This would result in a more immediate response if one or more of the aging units fail.  The complete replacement (around a million) will require a capital improvement loan.
    • Specification, Request for Proposals, Project Management. Discussions included contracting for these services. DLZ quoted 64K.
  • Budget Deficit?  The county’s financial advisor identified that balances in the general fund may be needed to pay operating expenses.
  • Capital Improvement Loan.  County has to routinely borrow money to fund infrastructure costs.  The current loan will be paid off this year.  And a new loan will be needed. The goal is to make it tax-neutral. Given the old loan was for 3 million/3 years and was at an interest rate of less than 1%, staying “tax neutral” will require less money to be borrowed or pay back over an extended timeframe. 
  • In addition to the Jail  AC units, building new prosecutors’ offices was identified as a priority.   Requirements identified included making it “bulletproof.”   

Vacancy – Washington Township Board. The commissioners will be advertising the vacancy. The Chair of the Democrat Party did not identify a replacement. This allows the commissioners to make an appointment – independent of political party affiliation.

Sherrif

• • Turnover.  Sheriff Stogsdill briefed that they continue to lose staff to surrounding counties.  Mentioned they may need to reduce coverage on shifts.
    • Will the council approve changes to the salary ordinance that would allow the Sheriff to use available payroll dollars to increase the salaries of existing personnel?
    • What is the risk to citizens of reduced staffing?
  • Leasing Vehicles.  Sheriff bought one new vehicle and is leasing three more. He identified that “purchasing the vehicles” would be less expensive. This is a change from a former commissioner who believed leasing was less expensive.

Bike Signs.  Mike Magnor is continuing to research the issues.  Alyn Brown of Brown County Mountain Biking suggested a phased strategy and priorities based on bike traffic and safety issues.  Bike Sign Proposal 2024_03_03

• • The law in Indiana is that cyclists can use the whole lane and that motorists are required to pass when they can do so safely and when they can do so with 3’ of clearance. It doesn’t matter if there is a center line or not.
  • Commissioners are not being asked to change any laws or make any special allowances.  These laws already exist and are in place.
  • The request is to add signage to let motorists know the laws and make them aware that cyclists are on the roads.

Solar Eclipse.   Plans are in place.  The Governor did declare an “emergency” that facilitates cooperation among states.

Bridge 122 Mt. Liberty Road.  Beams had to be replaced and approval for additional repairs have been approved by the commissioners.