VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL
MINUTES
MAY 4, 2005
The Vanderburgh County Council met in session this 4th day of May in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting was called to order at 3:31 p.m. by Council President Lloyd Winnecke.
President Winnecke: Good afternoon. I’d like to welcome everyone to the May 4th meeting of the Vanderburgh County Council. We’ll begin with attendance roll call please.
COUNCILMEMBER |
PRESENT |
ABSENT |
Councilmember Tornatta |
X |
|
Councilmember Sutton |
X |
|
Councilmember Abell |
X |
|
Councilmember Goebel |
X |
|
Councilmember Raben |
X |
|
Councilmember Wortman |
X |
|
President Winnecke |
X |
|
President Winnecke: Would you please join me and stand for the Pledge of Allegiance?
(Pledge of Allegiance was given)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES MARCH 30, 2005 SPECIAL MEETING APRIL 6, 2005 REGULAR MEETING |
President Winnecke: We’re going to begin with approval of the minutes. I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes from our special meeting of March 30th.
Councilmember Raben: So moved.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
President Winnecke: At this time I would entertain a motion to approve the minutes from our April 6th meeting.
Councilmember Wortman: So moved.
President Winnecke: Motion.
Councilmember Abell: Second.
President Winnecke: And a second. Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
President Winnecke: At this time I would turn the chair over to our finance chair, Mr. Raben.
APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE |
COMMISSIONERS
Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you, Mr. President. First on the agenda today is County Commissioners, 1300-3420 Legal Advertising in the amount of $10,000. I’ll move approval.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion?
Councilmember Sutton: Did we talk about dropping that down last week, Jim?
President Winnecke: It was, from 20 to 10.
Councilmember Sutton: Oh, did you say 10?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Councilmember Sutton: Okay, I’m sorry, I thought you said 20.
Councilmember Raben: Did I –
Councilmember Tornatta: You said, as approved, I thought. And it says 20 on the sheet here.
Councilmember Raben: Oh, I – excuse me. Ten thousand.
President Winnecke: Other questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: (Inaudible – microphone not turned on) Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
COMMISSIONERS REQUESTED APPROVED
1300-3420 |
Legal Advertising |
20,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
Total |
|
20,000.00 |
10,000.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Mr. President, Community Corrections 1361-1850 in the amount of $35,000; 1361-1380-1361 Correction Officer at $790, for a total of $35,790.
Councilmember Tornatta: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Mr. Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: I was wondering about the Union Overtime. There’s two positions that wasn’t filled, and I was wondering why they wasn’t filled. That would help with the overtime, and how much user fees are in the account. I guess that’s the question I’ve got to ask. Is there anybody from the Sheriff’s department here today?
Councilmember Raben: No, there’s no one from the Sheriff’s department, but if you recall, we normally don’t allow for offices to transfer out of salary lines, so –
Councilmember Goebel: The Sheriff is here.
Councilmember Raben: I do see them walking in the door.
Councilmember Wortman: Yeah, there he comes.
Councilmember Raben: Uh, we need the Chief Deputy. Councilman Wortman has a question. We’re on your appropriation request.
Eric Williams: The Sheriff is here.
Councilmember Raben: Or the Sheriff.
Councilmember Wortman: Either one would be sufficient.
Brad Ellsworth: Brad Ellsworth, Sheriff. How can I help?
Councilmember Wortman: Mr. Ellsworth, the question I was asking, how much is in your user fee account, which that’s only the people who pay, you know, into it? And then you’ve got two positions that never was filled. Wouldn’t that help alleviate the overtime?
Brad Ellsworth: It’s kind of a long story. I don’t have any idea about how much is in the user fee account right now. I can find that out but I can’t read minds on questions like that. I don’t know. The unfilled positions, we may possibly fill those but you’re right, I do have two unfilled positions, Case Management positions, I think, if that’s the ones you’re referring to.
Councilmember Wortman: Yes sir, yeah, do you intend to fill them pretty soon so we have no more overtime or what?
Brad Ellsworth: Well, that’s not coming from that. The Case Managers are not where the overtime is coming from, it’s the guards, and that’s a union issue we’re trying to work through. Yeah, if you’ll call me, I’ll have it down in the books.
Councilmember Wortman: Okay, thank you.
Brad Ellsworth: And I do have the last four years if you need that, how much we’ve spent.
President Winnecke: Okay. Mr. Sutton, did you have a question?
Councilmember Sutton: That’s what I was getting ready to ask. Last week you said you were going to get us a history of the union overtime.
Brad Ellsworth: It looks like 2002, by the end of the year we spent $75,500, 2003 $85,300, 2004 it dropped to $61,700 and then this year, to date, $37,600. So this would be right in line.
Councilmember Sutton: Can we get a copy?
Brad Ellsworth: Sure. I only brought one, my copy machine was out of paper. I tried to make seven and it flashed red, and I wanted to rush up here.
Councilmember Sutton: Well, our next appropriation will allow us to make the copies that we need for the Councilmembers here.
Sandie Deig: I can send Sarah to run some copies.
Brad Ellsworth: I can provide one and you can do the copies if that’s okay. Does that go to the President?
President Winnecke: Give it to Mrs. Deig, if you don’t mind. Thank you. Other questions for the Sheriff? Okay, we have a motion and a second on the floor for a total appropriation of $35,790. Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS REQUESTED APPROVED
1361-1850 |
Union Overtime |
40,000.00 |
35,000.00 |
1361-1380-1361 |
Correction Officer |
790.00 |
790.00 |
Total |
|
40,790.00 |
35,790.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
COUNTY COUNCIL
Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Mr. President, under County Council 1480-4220 Office Machines $4,577. I’ll move approval.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
COUNTY COUNCIL REQUESTED APPROVED
1480-4220 |
Office Machines |
4,577.00 |
4,577.00 |
Total |
|
4,577.00 |
4,577.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
SUPERIOR COURT SUPPLEMENTAL ADULT PROBATION
Councilmember Raben: Okay, that’s it for the General Fund. Next we’ll move into the Superior Court Supplemental Adult Probation. Mr. President, I’ll move that we approve account 2620-1100-2620 down through over to the next page 2620-1910 PERF, for a total of $1,368.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Are there questions or is there discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
SUPERIOR COURT
SUPPLEMENTAL ADULT PROBATION REQUESTED APPROVED
2620-1100-2620 |
Chief Probation Ofcr. |
243.00 |
243.00 |
2620-1110-2620 |
Probation Officer |
147.00 |
147.00 |
2620-1120-2620 |
Probation Officer |
52.00 |
52.00 |
2620-1130-2620 |
Probation Officer |
78.00 |
78.00 |
2620-1140-2620 |
Probation Officer |
52.00 |
52.00 |
2620-1150-2620 |
Probation Officer |
52.00 |
52.00 |
2620-1160-2620 |
Probation Officer |
41.00 |
41.00 |
2620-1170-2620 |
Probation Officer |
78.00 |
78.00 |
2620-1180-2620 |
Probation Officer |
52.00 |
52.00 |
2620-1200-2620 |
Probation Officer |
69.00 |
69.00 |
2620-1210-2620 |
Probation Officer |
52.00 |
52.00 |
2620-1220-2620 |
Probation Officer |
69.00 |
69.00 |
2620-1230-2620 |
Probation Officer |
97.00 |
97.00 |
2620-1240-2620 |
Probation Officer |
41.00 |
41.00 |
2620-1250-2620 |
Probation Officer |
41.00 |
41.00 |
2620-1260-2620 |
Probation Officer |
41.00 |
41.00 |
2620-1900 |
FICA |
93.00 |
93.00 |
2620-1910 |
PERF |
70.00 |
70.00 |
Total |
|
1,368.00 |
1,368.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
TRANSFER REQUESTS |
COUNTY CLERK
Councilmember Raben: Okay, now for transfers. County Clerk, I’ll move that the transfers be approved as listed.
Councilmember Abell: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
COUNTY CLERK REQUESTED APPROVED
From: 1010-1170-1010 |
Circuit Court Clerk/Archives |
1,058.00 |
1,058.00 |
1010-1290-1010 |
Asst.Chief Deputy |
675.00 |
675.00 |
1010-1380-1010 |
Deputy Clerk/Misd. |
4,000.00 |
4,000.00 |
1010-1390-1010 |
Juvenile Clerk |
5,123.00 |
5,123.00 |
1010-1460-1010 |
Certified Mail Clerk |
4,104.00 |
4,104.00 |
1010-1560-1010 |
Tax Warrant Clerk |
3,089.00 |
3,089.00 |
1010-1610-1010 |
Admin. Secretary |
2,656.00 |
2,656.00 |
1010-1630-1010 |
First Deputy/Elections |
7,362.00 |
7,362.00 |
1010-1680-1010 |
Deputy Clerk/Misd. |
1,304.00 |
1,304.00 |
To: 1010-1580-1010 |
Misd. & Traffic Clerk |
4,148.00 |
4,148.00 |
1010-1990 |
Extra Help |
25,223.00 |
25,223.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
SHERIFF
Councilmember Raben: Next, Sheriff’s department, 1050-2660 in the amount of $5,000 transferred into account 1050-2300 for $5,000. I’ll move approval.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
SHERIFF REQUESTED APPROVED
From: 1050-2660 |
Reserves |
5,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
To: 1050-2300 |
Uniforms |
5,000.00 |
5,000.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
CUMULATIVE BRIDGE
President Winnecke: Okay, and last, Cumulative Bridge, and I’ll move that this transfer be approved as listed.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
CUMULATIVE BRIDGE REQUESTED APPROVED
From: 2030-4408 |
Burkhardt Rd. Br. #290 |
55,000.00 |
55,000.00 |
2030-4736 |
Barton Rd. Culvert #24 |
25,000.00 |
25,000.00 |
To: 2030-4735 |
Stockwell Rd. Culvert |
80,000.00 |
80,000.00 |
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE |
Councilmember Raben: Okay, and last, Mr. President, we have the amendments to the Salary Ordinance. Again, I am going to simply ask that the document supplied by our Executive Assistant be made as part of the minutes and we’ll approve the document.
Councilmember Wortman: Second.
President Winnecke: There’s a motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
CONFIRMING RESOLUTION DECLARATION OF AN ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION AREA FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 5400 FOUNDATION BLVD. TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE |
President Winnecke: Thank you, Mr. Raben. At this time, under Old Business, I would entertain a motion for the confirming resolution for the declaration of an economic revitalization area for the property located at 5400 Foundation Boulevard, previously approved for Tenneco Automotive.
Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’d like to make that in the form of a motion.
Councilmember Abell: Second.
President Winnecke: There’s a motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: No.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion carried 6-1/Councilmember Wortman opposed)
President Winnecke: Congratulations, the phase-in is approved. And while we’re on the topic of phase-in, after our discussion last week, Councilman Tornatta has prepared another draft of the tax phase-in consideration. I got it this afternoon, so we’ll look at that in the coming days and schedule additional meetings in the coming weeks as time permits, and report back.
RESOLUTION OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL PROPOSING AN ORDINANCE OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY INCOME TAX COUNCIL ESTABLISHING THE PERCENTAGE CREDIT ALLOWED FOR HOMESTEADS FOR 2006 AND CASTING THE VOTES OF THE COUNTY COUNCIL ON SAID ORDINANCE RESOLUTION NO. R-05-05-005 |
President Winnecke: Okay, new business. At this time I would consider a motion on the resolution of the Vanderburgh County Council proposing an ordinance on the County Income Tax Council establishing the percentage credit allowed for homesteads for 2006 up to eight percent. That is in your packet and I would consider a motion to that effect.
Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, again, I’d like to move and make that in the form of a motion.
Councilmember Tornatta: Second.
President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
ORDINANCE OF THE VANDERBURGH COUNTY INCOME TAX COUNCIL ESTABLISHING THE PERCENTAGE CREDIT ALLOWED FOR HOMESTEADS |
President Winnecke: At this time I would entertain a motion on the resolution before us – I might have done these out of order.
Jeff Ahlers: Did you do the ordinance or the resolution?
President Winnecke: I did the resolution. Now its time for the ordinance, I’m sorry, of the County Income Tax Council establishing the percentage credit allowed for homesteads. Again, that is before you in your packet and it’s a mouthful.
Councilmember Sutton: So moved.
Councilmember Tornatta: Second.
President Winnecke: And a second. Questions or discussion? Roll call vote please.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?
Councilmember Abell: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Wortman?
Councilmember Wortman: Yes.
Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?
President Winnecke: Yes.
(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)
MAY 12, 2005 FILING DEADLINE FOR JUNE MEETING |
President Winnecke: At this time, I’d remind everyone that the May filing deadline for the June 1st County Council meeting is May 12th. Mrs. Deig will alert all interested parties to that.
CONSIDERATION OF SALARIES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES FOR PROPOSED 2006 BUDGETS |
President Winnecke: Mr. Raben, do we want to get into a discussion on the final point here?
Councilmember Raben: Well, we can. It’s not really up to me. But yeah, normally we do get into it about this time of year or the actual – you usually need it by about the first week of June, do you not?
Teri Lukeman: Actually, I had asked Sandie to put that on the agenda because we need some kind of direction for when I send the budget packets out this month and we’ll need it pretty quickly.
Councilmember Raben: Well, Mr. President, I’ll be glad to take the role here. You know, it would be my suggestion, based on conversations and suggestions of the other six Councilmembers that were present last year, that sometimes we send a sense of false hope, maybe, when we ask the department heads and officeholders to set salaries in at three percent or four percent or five percent. Last year it was brought up by several Councilmembers, next year let’s just ask them to put them in at the current rate and then we’ll adjust them from there. Is that still the wishes of the majority of the members here?
Councilmember Wortman: Are you saying three percent?
President Winnecke: Or set them in at today’s rate.
Councilmember Abell: 2005?
Councilmember Raben: At 2005's rate.
President Winnecke: Mr. Sutton?
Councilmember Sutton: I think your point is very well taken. We have faced some very difficult times over the last year or so financially as a county and fortunately, you know, our General Fund unappropriated balance is a little bit healthier this year than maybe what we had anticipated because of a variety of other things that have occurred. And unfortunately, last year, you know, with the raise as it was given, we felt like that was really the only option that we did have. I voted for it, didn’t like it, but that’s what we had to do. You know, I just really don’t want to see us have to do what we did last year. So like I said, trying to balance, like I said, just not giving false hope. At the same time, not taking away all hope all together, I mean, I would like to see a figure put in there but with the full understanding that we’ll do everything that we possibly can do to make sure that we have a budget that we can live within, that’s reasonable for the county. And not making any promises per se, but at least give ourselves some type of baseline figure. I’d like to start at least with a three percent, at that area is what I’m kind of thinking. So be that as it may, I don’t know what the sentiment of the other Councilmembers may be, but like I said, just the $500 raise last year, I just felt like if we did anything, it spread a lot of poor will across the board and it was the best that we could do. But it just really did not go over very well in a lot of different ways in relation to our salary ordinance and just fairness across the board. But three percent is what I feel comfortable with.
President Winnecke: Mr. Tornatta?
Councilmember Tornatta: Mr. Sutton, very nice – took some of the words out of my mouth. I think that too many times we’ve put the employees on the back of the bus and I think its showing good will to put them in front now, and we can start with three percent and I think that’s a very fair rate especially after last year. Go with three percent and then see what we can adjust throughout the county budget as opposed to using them as the buffer zone. So I think its good will to show our employees need a three percent and I’m in favor of that as well.
President Winnecke: Mr. Goebel?
Councilmember Goebel: I guess for clarification, was three percent the starting point last year in the budget talks and then we had to come down?
President Winnecke: Yes, to $500 per person.
Councilmember Goebel: Thank you.
President Winnecke: Mr. Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’m fine with that. Again, just based on conversations that took place during budgets. You know, several Councilmembers had said, you know, next year, let’s don’t do that. Let’s set it in at the current rate and we’ll adjust it from there. And I’m perfectly fine with three percent. That works as easy for me as any number.
President Winnecke: Okay. Anyone else? Ms. Abell?
Councilmember Abell: When will we know how much their insurance is?
Councilmember Raben: We usually don’t know that until September.
Councilmember Abell: I think how much they have to pay out of their pocket for their insurance has a lot to do with – they just don’t want to lose (inaudible – microphone not turned on) go backwards.
Councilmember Raben: And that’s a very good point. In fact, Marsha, we’re usually calling up until minutes before we walk into this room to do our final approval on our budget to get those numbers. And its, you know, and I understand, you know, their position, too. Its tough in August to tell us what insurance rates are going to be in January. But, you know, that’s a good point and I certainly support you on that, too, that it depends a lot on their contribution.
President Winnecke: Okay. Anyone else? Sheriff?
Brad Ellsworth: Brad Ellsworth, Sheriff. Just to throw out another option. As an officeholder in the county, would it make any sense, and I appreciate the Council’s job in doing this, that you let the officeholder put in what they feel their employees’ deserve, need, whether that’s no raise at all for some reason, or a five percent based on some kind of research, what other Sheriff’s departments are making, other policemen in this area, something like that, and let the officeholder then stand by the research they do into their own office. That may make it a little tougher but you can still whittle away at an individual office, give across the board, but it does give you more insight into what we, the officeholder, have done on behalf of our own agency and whether it’s the Clerk’s office or the Sheriff’s department or the Auditor or whoever. Just, I’m throwing that out there. I feel, sometimes, you know, we’re limited to three percent. I go back and explain to my employees that’s all they said we could put in whether I think you deserve more or you deserve less. So just an option.
Councilmember Sutton: So its kind of more of a situation where the way you’re explaining it, if I’m correct, as the person looks down the roster in their office, one person may receive a smaller amount, one person may receive a larger amount, are you saying across the board, that whole office would receive a particular amount based upon what that officeholder’s belief or impression may be to what is a justifiable amount?
Brad Ellsworth: That’s correct. I think that’s a real possibility that in your own office, different areas – you know, I’ve got a lot of different classifications of employees and one may have assumed a whole lot more duties than the other, or like I said, comparison to, say the Evansville Police department, if there’s been a big disparity there and trying to catch parity with that. But civilian workers doing the same. I think, you know, when we limit it to three or two or four or whatever that is, we limit us to what we can do and what we feel, at least expressing what we feel would be fair in our own agencies. And it doesn’t give us an venue to express that and therefore, sometimes that causes problems within the agency. Just, its an option that we’ve not talked about in recent years or since I’ve been in office.
President Winnecke: Mr. Raben?
Councilmember Raben: Brad, I think that’s a great idea. I’ll tell you why it probably doesn’t work in this scenario unlike it would, maybe, in the private sector is number one, we follow a salary ordinance which that really muddies up the water on how you follow your salary ordinance. And the other thing, from a budgeting standpoint, then we have to sort through each and every employee and find out what percentage of increase is calculated. So it really makes it tough when we’re trying to find out what a three percent raise represents county-wide or a five percent or a four percent or a $500. Again, then you’ve got to go in and you’re constantly working back and forth with those, you know, –
Brad Ellsworth: I understand –
Councilmember Raben: -- salary lines, so –
Brad Ellsworth: I know it makes things more difficult. Like I said, if the Deputies in my department are falling way behind the state average or way behind the local average, but the civilians are right in line, it might be – I guess as an officeholder I’d like that option to at least express to the Council that this area might deserve more, this one might deserve less, and at least to get your feelings out there so you can go back to your employees and say here’s what I – and you stand by that with your employees, and explain it to them.
Councilmember Raben: In your defense I will say this, that you would not be the first officeholder that has put in more than three percent for employees.
Brad Ellsworth: So we can put in what we want. I’m not trying to make Sandie’s job hard, I promise.
Sandie Deig: You can’t have an effective salary ordinance. While I respect what you’re saying, it wouldn’t be good for the county’s salary ordinance.
Brad Ellsworth: I know. I feel like sometimes we need to express, you know, I don’t know what the venue is then to bring to you, unless its individually, what, if there is those, something that we think deserves more than three or less than three or whatever.
President Winnecke: I think this was an appropriate venue. Appreciate it.
Brad Ellsworth: Thank you.
President Winnecke: At this time I would wrap this up. Just based on the discussion, I would ask Mrs. Deig to draft a memo to all officeholders and department heads when creating their 2006 budget to use three percent as a guideline for their –
Councilmember Sutton: Guideline, in bold and italics.
President Winnecke: – for their salary planning purposes for 2006. Thank you. Any other business to come before the Council? I would entertain a motion to adjourn.
Councilmember Wortman: So moved.
President Winnecke: We’re adjourned.
(There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 3:56 p.m.)
VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL
President Lloyd Winnecke Vice President Marsha Abell
Councilmember Jim Raben Councilmember Mike Goebel
Councilmember Curt Wortman Councilmember Royce Sutton
Councilmember Troy Tornatta
Recorded and transcribed by Teri Lukeman.