VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

BUDGET HEARINGS

AUGUST 26, 2008

The Vanderburgh County Council met in session this 26th day of August in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting was called to order at 9:40 a.m. by County Council Vice President Lloyd Winnecke.

Councilmember Winnecke: Good morning and welcome to the continuing Vanderburgh County budget hearings. Let’s begin with attendance roll call please.

Councilmember Winnecke: Would you please stand and join me in the Pledge of Allegiance?

(The Pledge of Allegiance was given)

Councilmember Winnecke: Before we begin I’d just like to make a couple quick comments. First, a thank you to the Council staff, Sarah Nunn and Sandie Deig for their outstanding effort as always to help us get prepared for the budget season. Thank you very much. To Auditor Fluty and his staff, they are so committed to this process that they’re just outstanding resources and probably, most importantly, not probably, but most importantly, this year I’d like to thank the other elected officeholders and department heads. Over the years, we’ve all witnessed a lot of cooperation between this body and other offices. But this year, I think, the level of cooperation between the Council and other offices has been unprecedented. We have, thanks to your help, we have identified efficiencies, cuts and in some cases, new revenue. So thank you for all of your efforts and it’s with your input that we present our cuts and additions in some cases to the 2009 budget. And I would, lastly, say that I would restrict comments from the podium until the conclusion of the meeting. There could be some dialogue among Councilmembers during the course of Mr. Raben’s presentation, but we will hold other comments until the end. And with that, I’ll turn the floor over to our Finance Chair, Mr. Raben.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you, Councilman Winnecke. And well said. Alright, I guess how I would like to start today is, everybody has been given a copy of the 2009 proposed budget cuts. Rather than work through a rather large book, to make matter simpler, I’d like to work from these cuts and, Councilman Winnecke, if it’s okay with you, if we take them a budget at a time, that would represent about fifty different motions, I would like to start with the General fund accounts and simply present the cuts and at any point, if somebody wants to stop me, I’ll stop, we’ll vote where we’re at up until then and continue on, if that’s okay.

Councilmember Winnecke: But your intent is to make one motion at the end for all of the General fund? Or –

Councilmember Raben: No, we’ll just keep going through each individual account.

Councilmember Winnecke: Okay, I’m with you. That’s fine.

Councilmember Sutton: And just, you’re making note, that as we’re working through this adjustment sheet that if a line isn’t mentioned, isn’t discussed, then whatever was put in is what we will proceed with in 2009?

Councilmember Raben: Okay. So how, again, I guess we’ll get this thing started. I’m going to move that all salary lines, including FICA & PERF will be adjusted at our September the 10^th meeting, at our final meeting, and that’s a standard motion throughout the day for all budgets. So we would turn to page one of our proposed cuts, –

Councilmember Winnecke: You’re making that in the form of a motion now?

Councilmember Raben: Let’s do that, that’s fine. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

Councilmember Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I just want to make sure that does, the salary lines you’re putting in, that’s with the two and a half percent, the increase?

Councilmember Raben: The intent is to leave the two and a half percent intact. Yes.

Councilmember Sutton: Okay, I just wanted to make sure we’re clear on that. Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: I have a question about that, too, though. The elected officeholders that are opting to freeze their salaries at ‘08 levels, is that taking that into consideration as well?

Councilmember Raben: That will. That will be part of our final salary ordinance vote on September the 10^th.

Councilmember Shetler: Alright, thank you. Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 6-0)

CLERK

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you. So let’s start with page one of our proposed cuts. Starting with account 2600, the request was in the amount of $75,000, I’d like to set that in at $60,000; 3603 to be set in at $80,000; 4210 zero. Page two is County Auditor. Let me say with that County Clerk that all other 2, 3 and 4000 accounts as listed.

AUDITOR

Councilmember Raben: Moving into County Auditor, 3310 zero; 3370 zero. All other 2, 3, and 4000 as listed.

SHERIFF

Councilmember Raben: Sheriff, 1130-0199 $16,910; account 1210 $63,000; 1750 $133,750; 1990 $100,000 and one that is not on your list, which is 1911, and that account reads in your book as Sheriff Retirement Fund. The requested amount was $496,753, set that in at $446,000.

Councilmember Winnecke: Mr. Raben? Is everyone up to speed, so far? Okay, continue.

Councilmember Raben: All other 2, 3 and 4000 accounts in that budget as listed.

JAIL

Councilmember Raben: Under Jail, 1301 set in at $5,000; 1531 $2,000; 1750 $60,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

CORONER

Councilmember Raben: County Coroner, 2210 set in at $4,000; 2230 $1,500; 2600 $3,000; 2700 $2,500; 2730 $1,500; 2740 $1,000; 3130 $1,000; 3190 $5,000; 3200 $13,500; 3310 $2,500; 3520 $1,500; and 3540 $7,000. All other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

PROSECUTOR

Councilmember Raben: Prosecutor. Is everyone still okay? Prosecutor 1050 set in at $37,674; 1060 $43,563; 1070 zero; 1080 $37,674; 1110 $37,674; 1130 $37,674; 1250 $37,674; 1260 zero; 1380 $62,373; 1390 zero; 1400 zero; and all other 2, 3 and 4000 accounts as listed.

(Table continued next page)

PROSECUTOR IV-D

Councilmember Raben: Prosecutor IV-D, account 1150 $62,373; 1160 $52,894; 1310 zero. All other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

PROSECUTOR DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

Councilmember Raben: The next page, allow me just one second. Oh, this is the Prosecutor Drug Law Enforcement budget. Account 3994 set in at $169,000. That’s $169,000.

PROSECUTOR STOP DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Councilmember Raben: The next page, Prosecutor Stop Domestic Violence, 3994 set in at $79,329. Next, County Assessor, oh, and on that last budget, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

COUNTY ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: County Assessor, the first item is 1320 zero; 1330 zero; 1420 zero; 1450 zero and 1972 zero. All other 2, 3 and 4000 accounts as listed.

CENTER ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Center Assessor, starting with account 1972, 1990, 2600, 2610, 3130, 3310, 3372, 3380, 3390, 3410, 3520, 3540, and 3700, all set in at zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

KNIGHT ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Knight Assessor, starting with account 1972, 1990, 2600, 3130, 3141, 3310, 3400, 3410, 3520, 3530, 3540 and 3700, all set in at zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

PIGEON ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Pigeon Assessor, starting with account 1972, 1990, 2600, 3130, 3310, 3410, 3520, 3530, 3540, and 3700, all set in at zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

COOPERATIVE EXTENSION

Councilmember Raben: Co-Op Extension, account 2600 to be set in at $4,500; 3120 $9,500; 3130 $6,500; 3530 $72,934, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

AREA PLAN

Councilmember Raben: Area Plan, 2210 $900; 3610 $35,000; account 3710, 3740, 3860, 4210, and 4250 all set in at zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Councilmember Raben: County Commissioners, account 2600 set in at $2,000; account 3001 $190,550; 3021 $1,756,188; 3040 $18,962; 3090 $48,570; 3100 $181,414; 3130 $20,000; 3140 $200,000; 3210 $152,422; 3280 $100; 3420 $20,000; 3460 $10,200; 3500 $44,241; 3610 $100,000; 3750 $129,994; 3850 $50,000; 3432 zero; all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

Councilmember Winnecke: Stand by just a second.

Jeff Ahlers: I think you said 3432 unless I heard wrong, instead of 4432 on that?

Councilmember Raben: Okay, the last item is 4432 set in at zero. We can go ahead and take a vote at this point since we’re stopped, if you’d like.

Councilmember Winnecke: Any questions of Mr. Raben at this point? And so you’re making all that in the form of a motion?

Councilmember Raben: All the previous is in the form of a motion, yes.

Councilmember Winnecke: Do I hear a second?

Councilmember Shetler: Second.

Councilmember Winnecke: Questions or discussion on any item we’ve discussed so far?

Councilmember Goebel: I do have one quick question on Soil & Water. There was some discussion about them moving with their rent increase to the Old Courthouse. Would that be something we would adjust later if that did happen or is it even possible? Line 3040, I’m sorry. It’s on page 80. I think they’re no longer getting a stipend from the federal government.

Councilmember Winnecke: If that happened, I think we could adjust that in the new year or whenever it happened.

Councilmember Goebel: Okay, thank you.

Councilmember Winnecke: Mr. Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I think we did clarify, but there was a question about 3460, which was a –

Councilmember Winnecke: In which budget?

Councilmember Sutton: This is the Commissioners budget, on the Consultant fee, and I think the question was what that contract was for and I think Bill clarified that. It was that Maximus contract.

(Table continued next page)

Councilmember Winnecke: Any other questions? Roll call vote, please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 6-0)

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you. Next we’ll move into Public Defender. Again, as a standard motion, once again, all salary lines including FICA & PERF will be set in at our September the 10^th meeting. Starting with line item 1160, the correct amount to set in is $38,976; account 1170, 1180, 1200, 1290, 1610 to be set in at $38,976; account 1620 $114,935; 1630 $38,976; 1640 $38,976; 1650, 1660, and 1661 set in at $33,210; 1670, 1680, 1690, 1700, 1710 and 1720 accounts set in at $38,976; 1730 $33,210; 1740 $38,976; 1775 zero; 1795 zero; 1810 $33,210; 1840 and 1850 set in at $33,210; 1860 $38,976; 3130 $3,500; 3943 $15,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

(Table continued next page)

CIRCUIT COURT

Councilmember Raben: Moving ahead to Circuit Court 1360 $36,382; 2610 zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

SUPERIOR COURT

Councilmember Raben: Superior Court 3303 zero; 3050 $800,000; 3250 $26,000; 3932 $96,164; 3941 $12,000; 3980 $14,000; 4220 $4,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

Councilmember Winnecke: Mr. Raben, would you hold on one second please?

Teri Lukeman: Would you repeat the first line please?

Councilmember Raben: The first line was 1303 set in at zero. Moving to –

Councilmember Winnecke: Wait just one second please. I don’t see line 1303. Oh, no wonder.

Councilmember Raben: It’s 1303-1370. It’s about midways down on page 100.

Councilmember Winnecke: Okay, I’m with you now. Thank you.

DRUG & ALCOHOL DEFERRAL SERVICE

Councilmember Raben: Okay, department 1371 DADS, line item 3770 set in at $4,500, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

BURDETTE PARK

Councilmember Raben: Burdette Park, line 2210 set in at $20,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

LEGAL AID

Councilmember Raben: Legal Aid, 3120 set in at $500; 3130 zero, 3140 $1,125; 3550 $1,000; 3410 –

Jeff Ahlers: 3250, you said 3550.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, let me back up. Account 3250 $1,000; 3410 $750; 3700 $500; 3730 $1,000.

COUNTY COUNCIL

Councilmember Raben: County Council, 1920 $9,500,106; 3371 $8,000; 3372 $4,000; 3610 $5,000; 3860 $1,600,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

RIVERBOAT

Councilmember Raben: Riverboat, 3111 set in at $420,000; 3761 $80,000, all other accounts as listed and, Councilman Winnecke, I’m going to stop there because that concludes the General fund budgets.

Councilmember Winnecke: I have a motion, do I hear a second?

Councilmember Shetler: Second.

Councilmember Winnecke: Questions or discussion?

Councilmember Sutton: I just wanted to note on that last one, the Riverboat 3761 doesn’t appear in our budget book but that is the –

Councilmember Raben: That’s for the dental clinic.

Councilmember Sutton: Correct, for the $80,000.

Councilmember Winnecke: Any other questions? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 6-0)

COUNTY HIGHWAY

Councilmember Raben: Okay, and again, at any point anyone stop me if there is a question or you want to take the vote at that point. Starting with County Highway, 1920 set in at $686,781; 2210 $140,000; 3200 $40,000; all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

CUMULATIVE BRIDGE

Councilmember Raben: Cumulative Bridge, 1920 set in at $224,030; 3610 $3,000; all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

CCD/COMMISSIONERS

Councilmember Raben: Commissioners/CCD, 4122 zero; 4130 $100,000, all other accounts as listed.

LOCAL ROADS & STREETS

Councilmember Raben: Local Roads & Streets 2160 account. Starting with 2230 set in at $65,000; 3481 $194,602; 3930 $480,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/AUDITOR

Councilmember Raben: County Auditor/Reassessment, 3530 zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/COUNTY ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: County Assessor/Reassessment, 1900 $765; 1972 $11,000; 1990 $10,000; 3130 $1,000; 3540 $110,000, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/PTABOA

Councilmember Raben: PTABOA/Reassessment, account 1180 $2,500; 1900 $191; 2600 $2,000; 3130 $500; 3530 $42,800, all other accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/CENTER ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Center Assessor/Reassessment, account 1900 set in at $1,530; 1972 set in at $3,000; 1990 $20,000; 2600 $3,000; 2610 $2,000; 3130 $3,500; 3310 zero, all other accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/KNIGHT ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Knight Assessor/Reassessment, 1900 $1,912; 1972 $2,500; 1990 $25,000; 2600 account set in at $2,600; 3130 $3,500; 3310 zero; 3410 $3,500; 3520 $1,000; 3530 $5,000; 3700 $700, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

(Table continued next page)

REASSESSMENT/PIGEON ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Pigeon Assessor/Reassessment, account 1900 $1,530; 1972 $2,500; 1990 $20,000; 3130 $3,500; 3310 zero; 3410 $3,000; 3530 zero, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

REASSESSMENT/AREA PLAN

Councilmember Raben: Area Plan/Reassessment, 3860 $600, all other 2, 3, and 4000 accounts as listed.

SALES DISCLOSURE

Councilmember Raben: Last is Sales Disclosure, account 3310 set in at $14,000, all other accounts as listed.

Councilmember Raben: And with this final motion, I’m going to move that all other budgets that I’ve not mentioned in these cuts, that all 2, 3, and 4000 accounts will be approved as listed, and I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

Councilmember Winnecke: Motion and a second. Any discussion or questions relative to the last part of the budget? Mr. Goebel?

REASSESSMENT/COUNTY ASSESSOR (CONTINUED)

Councilmember Goebel: Just one on County Assessor/Reassessment 4210, that would be on page 153. Did you move on that, James?

Councilmember Raben: What was the number you stated?

Councilmember Goebel: 4210 on page 153.

Councilmember Raben: I did not, but I’ll open back up. Let’s vote on this and then I’ll open back up, if you want to take that out.

Councilmember Goebel: Okay. I mean, it’s open for discussion.

Councilmember Winnecke: What line item did you ask about, Mike?

Councilmember Goebel: 4210 at the very bottom of page 153.

Councilmember Winnecke: Okay.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, Mr. – well, I guess you’re acting president today. I would like to amend my motion on County Assessor/Reassessment, account 4210 to be set in at zero.

TOURISM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT

Councilmember Raben: I have one other amendment to make and that is page 189, account 4209 is also to be set in at zero. We received a letter from Marilee from the Convention & Visitors Bureau requesting that. So those are my two amendments.

Councilmember Leader: Mr. Raben, would you repeat that second one?

Councilmember Raben: It’s 4209.

Councilmember Leader: The reserve?

Councilmember Raben: Yeah.

Councilmember Winnecke: Mrs. Leader, would you amend your second?

Councilmember Leader: I will.

Councilmember Winnecke: Any other questions or discussion? Hearing none, roll call vote, please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Shetler?

Councilmember Shetler: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 6-0)

Councilmember Winnecke: Any questions or discussion?

Councilmember Sutton: Did we want to give a tally on what those –

Councilmember Raben: I can do that. With these cuts, you know, everybody understands, just where we’re at today, today’s snapshot. After we make the further salary amendments and what have you, the number will be greater than this, but as of today, these cuts represent $2,260,333. Just General fund.

Councilmember Winnecke: Any other comments from the public or officeholders who are here?

Councilmember Raben: Oh, that’s fine, never mind. The thousand dollars that we added, but that was Reassessment, so that’s alright.

Councilmember Winnecke: Again, we appreciate everyone’s input in this process. It really has been a great, very much a collaborative effort. Just as a reminder, we will vote the final vote on the 2009 budget September 10^th, at which time we’ll make our salary adjustments. And again, the intent is to keep the two and a half percent pay raise in. That’s September 10^th at 9:00 a.m. and immediately following that meeting, we’ll have the September 10^th County Council regular meeting. Is that right, Mrs. Deig?

Sandie Deig: Yes.

Councilmember Winnecke: With that, we stand adjourned.

(The meeting was adjourned at 10:16 a.m.)

VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

        President Marsha Abell               Vice President Lloyd Winnecke

       Councilmember Jim Raben           Councilmember Mike Goebel

        Councilmember Tom Shetler         Councilmember Royce Sutton

        Councilmember Donna Leader

Recorded and transcribed by Teri Lukeman.