August 9, 2004

BOARD OF FRANKLIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

The Board of Commissioners met in a public hearing for the purpose of hearing and answering objections of taxpayers relating to the proposed use of all funds for the 2005 budget with Chairman John E. Taylor and Commissioners Fred E. Ferguson, Donald C. Hay, Donald R. Stottlemire and Donald E. Waymire present.  

The public hearing was called to order at the Franklin County Annex Meeting Room by Chairman Taylor at 7:00 p.m.

Albert Swank of 218 Arkansas Rd.  Who pays Blaine Finch’s salary and why doesn’t the County Attorney do the work any more?  Is the County still boarding prisoners from other counties?  Robert W. Green is paid $50,000 to provide legal counsel, was this put out for bids or just given to him?  Chairman Taylor said he doesn’t know what Blaine Finch is paid by Robert W. Green for the County services.  Craig Davis said that the Jail is full and we are no longer able to board other prisoners from other counties.  Chairman Taylor said that professional services do not have to be put out for bids.  Commissioner Waymire said they were paying $40,000 for an extra attorney in the County Attorney’s Office, so the County Attorney was available to be the legal counselor. 

Albert Swank asked why Robert W. Green and Chairman Taylor said they were satisfied after talking to Blaine Finch and didn’t contact anyone else. 

Doug Morgan of 3921 Florida Rd.  Is the contract with Robert W. Green looked at every year or is it just on going?  Doug said he thought county money would be better spent if an employee was the legal counselor and an employee of the County Attorney’s Office.  Chairman Taylor said that the contract for legal services is for one year at a time and it has a 30 day clause for either party to terminate it.

John Riddle of 2387 Old 50 Hwy.  Why are we budgeting $30,000 for an assistant building inspector?  Why do we budget $300 for the Armory?  Shari Perry, County Clerk said it is paid to them, when the County uses it for emergency situations.  Chairman Taylor said they are anticipating the need to hire another inspector.

Albert Swank asked where the budget is for the 36 Mile Road Improvement Plan.  Chairman Taylor said there will be no payments until 2006.  Albert Swank asked what the interest rate would be and Chairman Taylor said approximately 3.58 percent.

Chet Leach said they were told at the public hearing on the nuisance resolution, that no additional employees would need to be hired and why are we budgeting $25,000 for a new vehicle.  Chairman Taylor said the $30,000 was budgeted just in case they need to hire an additional employee.  Commissioner Stottlemire said that one of the vehicles needs to be replaced for the Planning and Building Department.  Chairman Taylor said if the position is not needed the money will not be spent.  John Riddle said at the nuisance hearing they were told it would not cost any money and that building is starting to slow down.

Albert Swank asked why we have to purchase 4 wheel drive vehicles, are the roads that bad.  Commissioner Stottlemire said that sometimes the Sheriff’s Department needs to use 4 wheel drive vehicles in bad weather.  Albert Swank asked how much they are planning to pay the new Human Resource Director.   Chairman Taylor said they had budgeted $55,000 for the Directors salary.  Albert Swank asked how much does the County Clerk get paid to do the HR and payroll.  Shari Perry, County Clerk said $450 per month.  Albert Swank said something needs to be done to stop crime.  Sheriff Department employees keep increasing and he has heard the new County Attorney say she is going to help with crime.

Andy Gassaway with the Ottawa Herald asked about the Human Resources Department and Blaine Finch said that $106,000 was budgeted for next year.  Andy Gassaway asked if the budget included $100,000 for a County Administrator and Shari Perry, County Clerk said that had been removed from the 2005 budget proposal.

Albert Swank said he had no objections to legals being published that is how he stays informed.  Albert Swank said he had been involved in a motorcycle accident and the police officer told him it was routine to call for an ambulance for all accidents.  He said he only had a scrape on his arm and didn’t need an ambulance.  Why is the ambulance called if the involved parties don’t request an ambulance?  Craig Davis, Sheriff said it is not routine for the Sheriff’s Department to call for an ambulance and he didn’t know about the City of Ottawa procedures. 

With no further comments the public hearing was adjourned at 7:42. 

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                                        Clerk                                                                                               Chairman