County Council Meeting Notes, June 17, 2024

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AUDIO of the Meeting  

This post at Brown County Matters.

    • The County Council is responsible for managing the county’s finances. There is no good information, courses, training, etc., that provides citizens with a good understanding of the rules and processes and arcane terms and concepts.
      Consequently, the county relies on consultants, legal advisors, and elected officials who have the time and dedication to learn all they can and pass on their knowledge via improvements in documented internal controls and SOPs.
    • The “So What?” The ”County Council” determines how much property taxes must be collected based on the spending they approve. The more spending, the more taxes that can be collected due to increases in assessed property values.
    • Internal Controls. Note that an annual review and report of internal controls are required by law at the federal level. States do not have to follow the same standard. Audit findings from the State Board of Accounts are advisory. At the federal level, corrections are required, and repeat findings can lead to the need for personnel changes.
    • Due Diligence. Councilman Kemp was elected to the council in 2020, has a financial background in the private sector, and has spent a significant amount of time working to understand the finance, accounting, and budgeting system. Regarding the current state of the county’s finances and the issue of borrowing up to 4 million dollars, suggest you listen to the audio of his comments on the topics. Audio – 1:23-1:27
    • Capital Improvement Needs. The commissioners identified and documented the need to replace the jail’s AC units (around 1 million). Studies for other proposed projects have yet to be completed.
    • Sheriff’s Office. Turnover due to non-competitive pay remains a problem. The department is starting to house more prisoners (17-20), which can generate an additional 230-250K a year, which, if it can be sustained, will be used to fund higher salaries.
    • New Appropriations. Several were approved.

Links to the audio and additional information

Council Mtg Agenda 06.17.24. Sheriifs presentation (one hour) was added to the agenda.

Passed. Beavers Additional Appropriation 06.17.2024

No Action taken – Beavers GOB Resolution Council Bill 6 06.17.2024

    • The County Council hereby makes a preliminary determination to issue general obligation bonds (the “Bonds”), pursuant to IC 36-2-6, as amended, in an original aggregate principal amount not to exceed Four Million Dollars ($4,000,000.00), for the purpose of financing all or a portion of the costs of the Project. The Bonds shall have a final maturity date not later than [January 1, 2044], with a maximum interest rate not exceeding [eight percent (8.0%)] per annum. The Bonds shall be payable from ad valorem property taxes to be levied on all taxable property in the County.

To be convered at the Working Session meeting on June 24, 2024, from 9-noon.

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