VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

BUDGET ADOPTION MEETING

SEPTEMBER 14, 2005

The Vanderburgh County Council met in session this 14th day of September, 2005 in room 301 of the Civic Center Complex. The meeting was called to order at 9:01 a.m. by County Council President Lloyd Winnecke.

President Winnecke: Good morning. I’d like to welcome everyone to the Vanderburgh County Council’s final 2006 budget hearing. We are reconvening our previously recessed meeting and I’ll begin with attendance roll call, please.

President Winnecke: At this time I would ask that you stand and join me in Pledge of Allegiance.

(Pledge of Allegiance was given.)

President Winnecke: Okay, at this time I would entertain approval of the minutes from our previous meeting.

Councilmember Sutton: 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: Just a couple of things for those who are in the audience and for those who are viewing at home. This is the final budget hearing and the purpose is to complete the adoption of the budget and establish salaries and all employee benefits, and also recommend to the state what the proposed tax rate should be for the following year. Today the chair will only recognize Council members until the finance chairman has completed his duties. At this time, actually, just before I turn it over to Councilman Raben, because I know we have a large contingency of folks here representing CAJE, there will be no specific reference to the dental clinic in today’s activities, but it will be part of the budget as we’ve discussed that we previously discussed. So while there will not be a specific reference to it, it is part of what will be adopted today, I assume, given that all the votes will fall, and I believe they will, so just so you know that. At this time I’m going to ask Councilman Jim Raben, who is our finance chair, to begin with the corrections, amendments and additions.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, thank you, Mr. President. First, I move that all full-time county employees receive a three percent raise for 2006 as listed in the 2006 salary ordinance for all salaries in accordance with the county’s salary ordinance. All Convention & Visitor’s Bureau employees are to receive a three percent raise for 2006. All Airport Authority employees as submitted. I make that in the form of a motion.

President Winnecke: There is a motion, do I hear a second?

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and second, questions or discussion? Mr. Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: When you mentioned as listed on the airport, was that just three percent and no increase in the salaries out there?

Councilmember Raben: No, some of the – its my understanding some of the administrative employees, its higher than three percent.

Councilmember Wortman: And that’s in your motion?

Councilmember Raben: Yes.

President Winnecke: Other questions or discussion? Mrs. Abell?

Councilmember Abell: The form I’m looking at says all Airport Authority employees shall receive three percent. Which ones are not – can you specify which ones are getting more than three?

Councilmember Raben: I would have to defer that to Bob Working.

President Winnecke: It’s the administrative officers. Almost everyone else, I believe everyone else is covered by union contract. I believe there are seven administrative officers out there and just as a reminder, that’s all funded by airline revenue and not by tax revenue.

Councilmember Abell: So we have to vote on that with our county employees’ three percent? Is that your motion?

Councilmember Raben: I can separate that.

Councilmember Abell: I’d rather have it separated.

President Winnecke: Who had the second on that?

Councilmember Tornatta: I did.

President Winnecke: Troy, would you amend your second?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

President Winnecke: Okay, the motion on the floor is to separate the Airport Authority vote.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, I’ll amend my motion to state all county employees including the Convention & Visitors Bureau are to receive a three percent pay raise for year 2006.

President Winnecke: And you agree to second that?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes, second.

President Winnecke: Further discussion before we vote?

Councilmember Sutton: Repeat that again, the motion.

Councilmember Raben: All county employees and Convention & Visitors Bureau employees are to receive a three percent pay raise for year 2006.

Councilmember Sutton: Is that reflected in our material?

Councilmember Raben: That’s reflected in your Salary Ordinance, yes.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, because I know there’s one that I know we’d had some discussion on, and I didn’t see it reflected in our material. I don’t know if I’m a little ahead of myself. On County Highway...

Councilmember Raben: The Superintendent?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Councilmember Raben: Its three percent.

Councilmember Sutton: Okay, alright. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Other discussion or questions? 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)

Councilmember Raben: Next I move that the Airport Authority’s budget be approved as submitted.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Mr. Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: I think we’ve got to be careful here because I just heard on the radio this morning that two airlines filed for bankruptcy and I know there is some discussion about everybody getting a raise and all this, but down the road the airlines, there might be others to follow and then we get too far down the road, we’re going to have problems, maybe have to rescind these raises. So I’ve got a problem with that right now. And then the other county employees don’t get no big raises like that. The Airport Authority is under the jurisdiction of the Salary Ordinance of the County Council. So therefore, I don’t go along with that and I’ll express that with my vote.

President Winnecke: Other – Mr. Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yeah, they are not, they are under the ordinance of their board. They have a separate board that runs that Airport Authority. I don’t believe at this time it is in the County Council’s best interest to micro manage what other boards are doing. We are, obviously, have people on the board. The Commissioners place people on the board. The Commissioners place people on the board and they can go through those individuals. But to say that we want to overturn what that particular board has done and has granted those employees, as long as they stay within their budget, they have their own budget and they are doing the things that are prudent to keeping that airport open and running, functioning, that’s great. That’s why those people were put on the board to be able to take care of that. The administration has done a fine job. I believe that its well within their means to be able to utilize that raise, if they’re able to do it within a budget.

Councilmember Wortman: I understand that. I understand that and I’ve understood it for years, but at this time, I just don’t see how we can do it.

Councilmember Tornatta: And make a mention, they’re not under that Salary Ordinance, so it doesn’t matter whether we give three percent or not, they don’t have to abide by that rule.

President Winnecke: Roll call vote please.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: I think there are other hard working employees that we want to keep our employees here and we shouldn’t be giving to everybody else, I vote no.

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 5-2/Councilmembers Abell & Wortman opposed)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next I move that all salaries and rates be set in as listed in the 2006 Salary Ordinance, along with that the Salary Ordinance be made part of the record, all FICA & PERF be adjusted accordingly. I 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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Mr. President, I’ll move that Exhibits A through H be approved as submitted. Everyone has a copy before them. I’m looking for mine right now – here it is.

Councilmember Tornatta: I have the second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Most of these or all of these are items we have seen in previous meetings. Okay, we have a motion and 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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay next, Mr. President, I ask that all Councilmembers check the listing of salary and position title changes from the budget book and move to approve List A, and ask that that be made part of the record with one deletion. If you would turn to page 5 of 5 and strike Airport Authority employees from that line. I make that in the form of a motion.

President Winnecke: There is a motion, is there a second?

Councilmember Tornatta: What list is this, please?

Councilmember Raben: List A.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Now questions or discussion?

Councilmember Abell: I have a question about the Center, Knight, Perry and Pigeon Township Assessor salaries.

Councilmember Raben: Yes, that is the requested figure, that gets them ahead of their Chief Deputies.

Councilmember Abell: That’s giving each of them 5,000 plus three percent?

Councilmember Raben: Uh-huh.

President Winnecke: Other questions or discussion? Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: This will alleviate the problem for future years, period? This situation will not reoccur as far as Chief Deputies making more than Township Assessors?

Councilmember Raben: That is correct. It should alleviate the problem from this day forward.

Councilmember Goebel: A Chief Deputy can never surpass, is that correct?

Councilmember Tornatta: Never say never. At this time we have a worst case scenario. We have an officeholder, we have officeholders who have been in the position for over twenty years, we have their Chief Deputies who are at least at that position as well. So they’ve kind of come up through the ranks together. I don’t know, never these two will meet from here on out as long as the Chief Deputy and the officeholder are the same. I don’t know if it will ever change. I don’t see it, but I mean, I guess there could be a scenario. I don’t know of one off the top of my head.

Councilmember Raben: And I don’t think there is a scenario. Again, you hate to say – never say never, but it does not appear as if it could happen again.

Councilmember Sutton: Are these classified or unclassified? I mean, maybe we should give some consideration, I mean, to avoid the possibility of this happening again, that we unclassify the positions and set in some type of ordinance where that Chief Deputy would be, by our Salary Ordinance, would make a percentage of what the officeholder makes like we have in some of the other offices so that, you know, when that person comes into the office, they know exactly what that salary is going to be and if county employees get a two percent, three percent, whatever it is the raise is going to be, it still stays in line and true to the spirit of whatever the ordinance might be. In most cases its 75, the Chief Deputy is 75% of the officeholder, correct? I would think it would be most appropriate for us, along, if we’re going to do this, that we also put in an ordinance that stipulates that as well and unclassify those positions so that we can do that.

President Winnecke: Yes, Mrs. Deig?

Sandie Deig: Right now all the Chief Deputies in the Assessor’s offices have a cap of a Step 7, they can’t go any higher, so they’ll never, right now, they will never surpass, if it stays the same, the Assessor.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, but if you’ve got one of those Chief Deputies that leave, you have someone that comes in with equal or greater experience –

Sandie Deig: No, Step 7 is as high as they can go. Under a PAT IV, I think we have a Step 5, a Step 6 and two Step 7's. But Step 7 is the cap.

Councilmember Goebel: Sandie, you’re saying then this could never happen again?

Sandie Deig: Again, somebody said never say never. But right now, the way the ordinance is right now, the Chief Deputy will not surpass the Assessor.

Councilmember Goebel: Well, I agree with Councilman Sutton, that we must come up with a plan or an ordinance that will guarantee this doesn’t happen again. Its really a –

President Winnecke: But its in place because its based on their current pay structure, that is as high as they can go.

Councilmember Raben: Our Salary Ordinance follows what is known as the Oliver system and the only way that that could change is if at some point, we made a change to that. So, again, its – it could happen if future Councils decide to adopt further steps, but as our Salary Ordinance is written today, it could not surpass the officeholder.

President Winnecke: Mr. Wortman?

Councilmember Wortman: I have a question on List A, page one of five. In the Sheriff department, line item 1050-234 Lieutenant set in at $100. I’d like somebody to explain that to me please. Will you, Mr. Raben?

Councilmember Raben: I can explain that, I certainly can. The situation with the Sheriff’s office, according to the state statute, if the outgoing Sheriff can continue to work for the Sheriff’s department, he has to go back to his last highest rank. What the Sheriff’s office has done for the last year that I know of, maybe longer, have allowed a Lieutenant position to remain empty, that’s a position that needs to be filled, has not been filled. So this basically establishes a line, we’re only putting $100 in it should, so we can go ahead and bring on the Lieutenant that they need and should they need it, Sheriff Ellsworth then has a position to fall back into.

Councilmember Wortman: Well, we’ve never done that before, so I’d be against that.

President Winnecke: Any other questions? We’ve kind of jumped around a little bit but any other discussions relating to the Chief Deputies?

Councilmember Goebel: I’m not totally satisfied with the situation. I don’t know if a Level 8 would ever be created or something like that, but I don’t think it would be. But still, it just doesn’t seem to me that we’re finishing our business limiting the Chief Deputies so they cannot surpass the elected officeholder. I know what’s going to happen this time, but I think we have to guarantee that it won’t happen again because the method we’re using right now, I don’t think its quite right. Does that make sense?

Councilmember Tornatta: Well, we’re talking right now, these lines don’t meet. These two lines will not meet for these individuals. And if a Chief Deputy comes in, they have to fall back down to the lowest spot and move up, but the officeholder will continue at its rate. So that would be more disparity between those two rates at that point. And the thing that last got these two offices close has been the longevity of the Chief Deputies and their step increases, which are not your normal three percent. They could get a – yeah, like a three and three if they have a certain step increase. Their steps are done, so if the Chief Deputy gets a three, so does the officeholder, there’s no way that there’s going to be any type of cross over at that time. And I doubt that you’re going to have a Chief Deputy come up into the ranks that’s going to have 25 or 30 years in order to get that salary. And right now, its covered. And like Councilman Raben said, the only way that this thing changes is if there’s a legislative change which, you know, we can’t do anything about that. And at that point, we’ll have to address what the legislative change is and how it will affect our payroll system.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, I think and precisely to Councilman Goebel’s point, though we may have addressed the situation with what is proposed here, I would see no problem with putting something in to ensure that down the road it does not happen to further burden the taxpayers and this Council with readdressing this issue over and over again. And it would appear that what is being put in place here will fix the situation. But just to add as an extra measure of caution, I think would be very appropriate to address that through the form of changes to our Salary Ordinance to ensure that it is properly addressed all the way through the process, and not just a band-aid on it.

President Winnecke: For the purposes of today’s exercise, if we approve what’s been presented and we ask our employment/financial consultant, Mr. Deisher, to work on a plan for us to consider at a future meeting about to address your very concerns, that might be a prudent action for today.

Councilmember Sutton: He’s quiet. Mr. Deisher?

Tim Deisher: Certainly I’ll do that.

Councilmember Raben: Again, just for everyone’s comfort, I think we’re talking about a very hypothetical situation. In fact, as a Chief Deputy would retire or would be replaced, they’re going to be brought back in at the introductory level. There may be some things factored in, but it would never be anywhere close to a Step 7, COMOT IV, Step 7, so I mean, its – the likelihood, I mean, its probably almost an impossibility that the situation could ever arise because the officeholder’s salary is going to continue to increase. The Chief Deputy, at some point, is going to be set back in at a much lower figure. You know, you get Step increases off of your years of service, basically. So its just really, the likelihood is just very nil.

Councilmember Goebel: I think President Winnecke’s recommendation is a good one, so that will be fine with me, if we come up with an ordinance so even though the probability is almost nil that it will ever happen again, we can assure that it will not.

President Winnecke: Okay, great. Mr. Deisher, if you could work on that and let me know when you have something, I will put it on the agenda. Other discussion?

Councilmember Abell: I’d just like to make one correction. That isn’t true that a new Chief Deputy would come in and start at the bottom. If you transfer a Chief Deputy in from another department, they bring their steps with them, they bring their longevity with them. And if somebody has a Step 7 in the Treasurer’s office and they transfer in and become a Chief Deputy in the Knight Assessor’s office, they bring their Steps with them. They wouldn’t come in starting at zero, they’d come in with their longevity with them.

Councilmember Raben: True, but again, they can’t go beyond a Step 7.

President Winnecke: 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: No.

Teri Lukeman: President Winnecke?

President Winnecke: Yes.

(Motion carried 6-1/Councilmember Wortman opposed)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next I move that, all Councilmembers have been given a list of additional cuts and/or additions, what is known as List B. I move that List B be approved and be made a part of the minutes.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. If you want to take a second to review that or a minute to review that. Again, these are all cuts that have been discussed at various points.

Councilmember Sutton: Well, one thing I’m glad to see that’s been, maybe it was an oversight on our part or Commissioner’s part, is the televising of the meetings that’s been added back to the Council’s budget.

Councilmember Tornatta: Do those monies include just Council...

Councilmember Raben: Just the Council’s.

Councilmember Tornatta: And, good point, Councilman Sutton. The other thing I’d like to point out, although it doesn’t have anything to do with the cuts, I had a cut in one of the budgets because it was a contractual line. And it was used for an employee. Just trying to get this out on the record and I would like the Council to really look into the fact that we do not want to see any offices circumvent our way that we use job study, the way that we bring employees on, whether they’re part-time employees or full-time employees, and I think we really have to just make it known that this Council does not condone circumventing processes by which we use to hire employees. And to hire them out of a contractual line is not, is a circumvention that we don’t want to see. So I’d like to get that out there and I’m fine with the List B, but just want to make it clear that we want to see employees brought on in the correct way, through the correct channels, so that we have a good, clean record of how we hire our employees. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Other comments or questions relating to List B that’s before us? 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: I’m sorry. I have one question.

President Winnecke: That’s fine.

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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next Mr. President, I move that List B-1 be approved and also be made part of the minutes.

President Winnecke: Do I hear a second?

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: 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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next I move all other 2, 3 and 4000 accounts for the 2006 budget be adopted as previously approved. I’m going to read the following: 911 Emergency Service, Airport Authority, Area Plan Commission, Armstrong Assessor, Armstrong Assessor/Reassessment, Auditor, Auditor/Reassessment, Bond Issue, Burdette Park, Center Assessor, Center/Reassessment, Children’s Psychiatric Residential Treatment Center, Circuit Court, Circuit Court Supplemental Adult Probation, Convention & Visitors Commission, Convention Center Operating Fund, Coroner, County Treasurer, County Assessor, County Assessor/Reassess-ment, County Recorder, County Clerk, County Clerk IV-D, County Commissioners, County Commissioners/CCD Fund, County Council, County Highway, County Co-op Extension, County Surveyor, Cum Bridge, Disclosure Fees, Drainage Board, Drug & Alcohol Deferral, Election Office, German Assessor, German Assessor/Reassessment, Health Department, Jail Bond, Knight Assessor, Knight Assessor/Reassessment, Legal Aid, Legal Aid/United Way, Levee Distribution Tax, Local Drug Free Community, Local Emergency Plan Commission, Local Roads & Streets, Perry Assessor, Perry Assessor/Reassessment, Pigeon Assessor, Pigeon Assessor/Reassessment, Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals, Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals/Reassessment, Prosecutor, Prosecutor Fees Check Recovery, Prosecutor Drug Law Enforcement Program, Prosecutor IV-D, Prosecutor Pre-Trial Diversion, Prosecutor Stop Domestic Violence, Prosecutor Victims/Witness Assistance Program, Public Defender Commission, Riverboat, Scott Assessor, Scott Assessor/Reassessment, Sheriff, Sheriff Community Corrections, Sheriff Misdemeanor Housing, Sheriff Vanderburgh County Community Corrections Misdemeanor Offender, Superintendent Of County Buildings, Superior Court, Superior Drug Court, Superior Court Supplemental Adult Probation, Surveyor Maps, Surveyor Corner Perpetuation, The Centre, Tourism Capital Improvement, Union Assessor, Union Assessor/Reassessment, Vanderburgh County Department of Child Services and Division of Family Resources, Veterans Administration, Voters Registration and Weights & Measures. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: There’s a motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Mrs. Abell?

Councilmember Abell: When are we to discuss the two pages we have here regarding detention officers? I guess I missed hearing that.

Councilmember Raben: – pages we have here –

Councilmember Abell: Well, it was laying on my desk and I was waiting for us to get to it.

Councilmember Raben: I –

President Winnecke: Its part of the Salary Ordinance.

Councilmember Abell: Well, I didn’t hear it mentioned and I like to have some discussion on that.

Councilmember Raben: Could I see what you’re referring to?

Councilmember Abell: These two pieces of paper that have –

President Winnecke: I don’t have them either.

Councilmember Abell: They were sent to me. You don’t have this?

Councilmember Tornatta: What page is that? Is there a page number on it, because that’s what’s in here.

President Winnecke: Okay, I tell you what we’re going to do. This motion relates to 2000, 3000 and 4000 accounts. We can circle back and address this in a moment, but right now, the motion is on the floor for 2, 3, and 4000 accounts. Are there other questions relating to that?

Councilmember Tornatta: I second.

President Winnecke: We already got your 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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, Mr. President, the question raised was where did two faxed copies out of the Exhibit A through H from the Salary Ordinance come from on Councilperson Abell’s desk? I have no idea. I mean, somebody, since you –

Councilmember Abell: I had them given to me because I was not privy to the meeting that you had with the Sheriff, although I am their liaison. And I want to discuss it.

Councilmember Raben: Okay. Again, those two sheets that are laying on your desk are part of this booklet.

Councilmember Abell: I want to eliminate four detention officers until we have an opportunity to have a meeting that Judge Trockman is setting up to review court security to see if we can find the money to put from court security into this account to cover the deficit, the amount that we don’t have to cover this budget. I understand we’re over $200,000 short and I want to eliminate four Detention Officers until such time as we have that meeting to determine if we can pick up the extra money from reducing the court security staff. And that’s been an ongoing project that I’ve been working on. I just talked to Judge Trockman yesterday and he’s setting up a meeting with the judges and hopefully, the Sheriff’s representative, and I’ll be there, and I think this is a way we can come up with some money that we don’t have.

Councilmember Raben: Okay. First let me make a statement here. I mean, you and I discussed this last week and I told you today is the last and final day to prepare this budget, to set this budget that goes to the state. The numbers, we have to prepare what we think we’re going to need for 2006. If we need to make amendments at any point, that will have to be negotiated with the Sheriff’s office. I’m sure he would agree to repeal these salary lines should that happen. But again, we can’t wait until the day we’re finalizing our budget that goes from here to Indianapolis to make those amendments.

Councilmember Abell: You’re saying we, as a Council, can’t eliminate an expense that we don’t think is necessary just because it was put in and submitted?

Councilmember Raben: Do you have a for sure...have the judges guaranteed to you, I mean, do you have their word that that’s what’s going to happen?

Councilmember Abell: I have their word that there’s going to be a meeting and I know that the court security budget is over $900,000 with Deputies that are well in excess of $50,000 sitting at the door doing nothing. This is ridiculous. I want to eliminate these four people. If you don’t want to, and I can’t do it, I understand that. But I want to make the point that I’ve been working on this. Its not my fault that we can’t get it done by today, but we certainly could eliminate four Detention Officers to make sure that this budget is correct.

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’ll allow you to make that call.

President Winnecke: Well, right now, we’ve approved the Salary Ordinance so we would have to go back and reopen the Salary Ordinance. We’d have to vote to reopen that line. At this time, I’m comfortable leaving the Salary Ordinance the way it is. I don’t think there’s enough information to know what kind of savings we can count on. I’m comfortable leaving it the way it is. Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Is there a time table when an actual amount that could be worked out with the courts, as far as making the change? Can we repeal later and put a new policy into place at a later date if we approve today?

President Winnecke: When do you anticipate your meeting?

Councilmember Abell: I spoke to Judge Trockman yesterday. He intends for the meeting to be this next week.

President Winnecke: Mr. Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I was just going to add, I mean, obviously, Councilman Abell has put in a lot of time and effort on this and just as we’ve got some things in our next meeting that we’re going to be considering that are kind of new and a change to how we’ve kind of conducted on the tax abatement side, tax phase-in, I mean, this too, would be something that if she’s put this kind of time into it, we’ll bring a proposal for it, for the Council to consider. And we can make a decision at that time. I don’t think it should be the end of the road for the proposal, and then if there’s some adjustment that then eventually affects our 2006 budget, then I’m sure we’re going to go in and make adjustments as necessary. But we all have a proposal in hand that we can work with and look at the options and make a decision. I think it would be the best way, Councilman Abell, to move forward with it.

President Winnecke: Anybody else? Lets move on. Mr. Wortman?

Councilmember Abell: I think Mrs. Abell is right. I think Mr. Raben has been working with the Sheriff going around Mrs. Abell and she’s the liaison (Inaudible – microphone turned off) I don’t like it.

President Winnecke: I’m just going to say one thing and then, you know, if someone wants to make a motion, that’s fine. I don’t know what’s going on about meetings and who is invited to what meetings or what, but I would say that we’re all elected officials. Mr. Raben is the finance chair, I have no problem with anyone contacting any elected officeholder and, you know, I think its well within his purview to call the Sheriff or Mr. Working or Mrs. Smith, anybody, so that being said, if someone wants to make a motion to reopen, I’ll entertain it, but I don’t know that it will fly.

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’m going to, in my defense, I’m going to make one quick statement. Again, we’ve discussed this. I told Councilman Abell last week, I said I cannot, you can’t come to me Wednesday and say, hey, we need to try to put the toothpaste back into the tube, we need to make these changes. We do know that it requires thirty-four new staff members to operate the new jail. We all know that, so if we can reduce that number between now and the first of the year, that’s fine. But if we can’t those positions are in this budget. It won’t require additional funding next year. We have budgeted for it if they’re required.

Councilmember Tornatta: I need to clarify something as well. I mean, I think that good work and due diligence to bring some light and some different ideas to the table and Mrs. Abell has been very good in bringing those ideas to the table. Timing was an issue and those things weren’t done. It doesn’t mean that the job is done, forget about it, don’t worry about, I mean, I think it’s a good opportunity for us to move forward and see if we can’t bring some stuff to light. The only thing I disagree is there could be four people down there that’s going to save somebody’s life some day and its not going to happen today, and it might not happen over the past 50 years they’ve been in that office working at that stop, but we need to respect every employee as long as they’re employed by Vanderburgh County. And we’ve done our diligence to make sure that they’re paid right, given them a three percent raise, but I don’t think its this Council’s objective to degrade the job that they’ve done over the time that they’ve put their time in. And so I applaud all our county members. I hope that it is their focus that they work hard, and they’re great employees for Vanderburgh County and do not want to, at any time, put any type of restriction or tell them that they aren’t doing an ample job at the job that they’re doing, no matter what their pay.

President Winnecke: Before we move on, we’re going to change tapes.

(Tape changed)

President Winnecke: Anyone else? Mr. Raben, let’s move on to the Health Insurance issue.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next, Mr. President, all Councilmembers have been given a final copy of insurance data. I move that the County Council approve the 2006 Insurance budget as listed. These figures represent the county’s share of the county’s three current health plans with the total employee’s contribution at eight percent. The figures are for full-time employees and do not include insurance for Superior Court Magistrates. And I would also move that this insurance data be made part of the record. I 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)

Councilmember Tornatta: Councilman Raben? If I could interrupt here for just a second. Councilman Sutton brought this to my attention as well, if we could just entertain looking at List B, there was an addition to that list and I apologize, we didn’t catch it. Obviously, this is the first time some of us have seen this document. Was there some type of discussion of the salary of the Executive Director of Legal Aid?

Councilmember Raben: No, that’s what was budgeted last year. That’s the United Way stipend. I mean, this stays consistent with her salary last year with the exception of the three percent pay raise.

Councilmember Tornatta: Okay, there was an additional stipend. I think that that’s one thing that both the City and County Council had talked about. At this time, they were comfortable with increasing that extra stipend. Was there another number that was introduced?

President Winnecke: That’s the figure that they requested.

Councilmember Sutton: While she’s looking it up, I think the question was, as I can recall when they came forward to us this year and then last year, the concern that they have is the potential inequity between the Executive Director and the person directly under the Executive Director and trying to make sure that those salaries, that there’s a certain amount of distance between them. Is that what this stipend is trying to address?

President Winnecke: Right, and this is not tax money, its United Way funding, this piece of it. The $5,000 increase is United Way funding.

Councilmember Raben: Again –

Councilmember Tornatta: Well, we’ve discussed this in the past, United Way always funds a certain amount. They just drop funding in other areas. They allocate it to difference sections.

President Winnecke: Right, and what the Legal Aid board has said to us on a couple of occasions is that they have reallocated their United Way monies to make sure that they can fund this $5,000 additional stipend.

Councilmember Tornatta: But then we make up the difference. Is that correct?

President Winnecke: That position is funded through United Way funds and through tax monies, but we don’t make up anything. There is a set amount that is budgeted from the county. The United Way piece actually, if you want to look at it, really, acts as the additional stipend if you would, but their board has decided that they will reallocate their United Way resources to pay for this.

Councilmember Raben: And I’ll turn to our Executive Assistant. This is consistent with the action we took last year, correct?

Sandie Deig: No, the $5,000, you denied last year. This year you’re adding.

Councilmember Raben: That’s the United Way’s portion.

President Winnecke: Right. But they did come before us last year and we denied it last year.

Councilmember Tornatta: Right, but we’re agreeing to it this year.

Councilmember Raben: This time its with the United Way funds.

Councilmember Tornatta: But this is the same proposal that came to us last year.

President Winnecke: And we denied it. This year we’re approving it.

Councilmember Tornatta: Okay. That was not discussed and that was cut out. In all of our negotiations, that was cut out of the Salary – or yeah, the Salary Ordinance, in all our discussions. And –

Councilmember Raben: I’m fine, we can go in and open that line. I’m fine with that.

Councilmember Tornatta: I make a motion to open it up, and I have a –

President Winnecke: I tell you what, we’re going to come back. I don’t mind going back there, but let’s finish the agenda first and then we’ll come back to it. Okay, Mr. Raben, proceed.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, did we complete our vote on the last motion?

President Winnecke: We voted on the Insurance, correct.

Councilmember Raben: Mr. President, I’ll move that we reopen account 4290-1120 United Way Executive Director.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: There’s a motion to reopen. Roll call vote to reopen the line.

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: No.

(Motion carried 6-1/President Winnecke opposed)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, Mr. President, I’ll move that 4290-1120 United Way Executive Director be set in at zero.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and a second. Questions or discussion? Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: Again, this is funded entirely by United Way and their board has agreed to the stipend, so –

President Winnecke: They’ve been before us on two occasions stating that.

Councilmember Goebel: It really means nothing to the Vanderburgh County taxpayer?

President Winnecke: That’s correct.

Councilmember Tornatta: I don’t agree with that. It did last year and now all of the sudden, this year it doesn’t.

President Winnecke: No, it didn’t.

Councilmember Tornatta: The United Way money is, from what I understand, are just moving their monies to a different area, and we’re picking up the part that they’re moving them from.

President Winnecke: That’s not correct.

Councilmember Raben: They didn’t reduce their other –

President Winnecke: They have not reduced allocating to other agencies to make up for this. They get a pot of money that is Legal Aid, from United Way. The Legal Aid board has decided they are dividing their pot of money differently so they can make this additional $5,000 stipend. That’s all there is to it.

Councilmember Tornatta: How do I get clarification of that because last year it was not that way. Last year it was not that way.

President Winnecke: They’ve been before us twice to explain that. We’ve had members of their board of directors here to tell us.

Councilmember Tornatta: And we weren’t comfortable with it then, and I don’t know how we all of the sudden became comfortable –

President Winnecke: This year we’ve had board members here to explain it to us.

Councilmember Tornatta: They’ve explained it to the City and County Council in conjunction in their meetings and each time its always been they’re just moving to a different section and saying Legal Aid is taking care of that and then the County is picking up the portion from which they moved those monies. And I’m not talking from outside, I’m talking if they moved it from a paper line to the salary line, we’re picking up that $5,000 for paper. So in a sense, we’re picking up that money, they’re just saying we’re throwing it in a salary line to take care of her salary. And my point is, they’re moving it from the monies that they’re giving to the Legal Aid. They’re distributing it and paying for her salary, yet leaving a line item open that we’re going to have to make up. So either way, we’re paying this $5,000 from the county. And if you have clarification, I want to know because in the past two years I’ve heard it, I’ve not heard anything different from what I’m telling you.

President Winnecke: Well, I can just tell you, one of the board members, I know that Mr. Guerrettaz was here, I can’t remember the other board members. They have been in this room explaining this very issue twice. So –

Councilmember Tornatta: And I understood it, and when they brought it to me a second year, with the same protocol, I understood the same thing I did the year before, so I didn’t have to ask a question. So, I mean, its just a movement of money.

Councilmember Raben: Can I offer a suggestion? If the United Way has made this offer months ago, I’m sure they’ll make it again. So we can always go back in and set this in next year in January if their offer holds. So let’s just leave it at that. But I agree with Councilman Winnecke, its always been my understanding that, just using a number, if United Ways’ portion of funding for this budget was $150,000, $150,000 continues plus this extra five.

President Winnecke: Okay, the motion on the floor is to set this line in at zero. Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Abell?

Councilmember Abell: No.

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: No.

(Motion carried 4-3/Councilmembers Abell, Wortman & Winnecke opposed)

Councilmember Sutton: Jeff, how many votes does that need?

President Winnecke: Just four. Okay, let’s move on.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next I move that the County Council set a county tax rate as deemed appropriate by the Indiana State Tax Commissioners following the review of our budget. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Tornatta: Second.

President Winnecke: Motion and 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.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

Councilmember Raben: Next, I move that we set the Cum Bridge tax rate in at .03 cents per $100 assessed valuation. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Sutton: 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.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, I move that we set one million dollars in COIT into the Local Roads & Streets budget. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Sutton: 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)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, Mr. President, that kind of concludes my portion of the budget. I would like to make a closing remark that, while today it may not have appeared as if things went as smooth, it certainly wasn’t indicative to the last several weeks of efforts by everyone on this board. I thought going into today, everything went very well and I applaud each and every one of you. I’d also like to thank our Executive Assistant Sandie Deig along with her assistant Sarah Nunn, which those two individuals have burned the candle at both ends along beside us to finalize this budget. With the action that has taken place today, the total budget cuts came to a little over 5.7 million dollars. Its actually 5,747,299, so we’ve worked hard, we’ve got what I think will allow us to have a healthy operating unappropriated balance next year and again, I thank everyone and that concludes matters for me. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Mr. Tornatta?

Councilmember Tornatta: Yeah, I’d like to also thank Councilman Raben for, you’ve done this several years since I’ve been on Council. Each year it seems to get smoother. I’d just like to say that this Council has worked as good together as any Council that I’ve been on. I think that each of us have taken a task and maintained that task, brought it to our finance chair and have explained it and minus a few hiccups here or there or some timing issues, things have come in really well and we could not stare this monster in the face without the cooperation of all seven Councilmembers and I appreciate just the working together with all of you and thanks for heading the thing up, Councilman Raben.

President Winnecke: Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Goebel: My initial experience with the budget, I also want to say thanks to all the Council persons because I think that we worked in a bipartisan manner. We tried to do the best with what we have available and always to remember the Vanderburgh County taxpayer as we’ve gone through the process. And I think that every individual sitting on this Council has been very open and worked hard for the benefit of our Vanderburgh County residents. So from my standpoint, I just want to say thanks to the members and hopefully we can live with this and it will get better in the future.

President Winnecke: Mr. Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: I was going to add, President Winnecke, that I think we can’t really fully underscore the value in terms of the effort and the time we’ve put into this on all the Councilmembers part, and it was a rather tall task that we had ahead of us in trying to cut several million dollars out of our budget for 2006. And somehow, a way was found to be able to do that and at the same time, with several highlights that I think we should underscore, and that is being able to provide a three percent raise for county employees for 2006. And last year there wasn’t as bright a picture. We knew that last year was going to be tough going in and it was tough going this year, but the way things fell, we’re able to do that. So I think it speaks to the good, hard work that county employees put in and fortunately, we were able to find a way to be able to show that level of support in the form of that pay raise and without any substantial increase in health insurance, being able to maintain a good health insurance program. And then the other progress that’s been made as far as the law enforcement and so many other offices and creative new things that we’re taking on like the dental clinic. So being able to do those kind of things in the context of the matter of the few short weeks that we have takes an awful lot of work and effort. And I’d like to commend you, Councilman Raben and Councilman Winnecke, on helping to gather and pull all of us together to work as a team to make this happen and the feedback and support we get from the officeholders is very valuable in helping us to craft together a budget that works for Vanderburgh County, and ultimately keeping the tax rate, which is very important, keeping the tax rate low here while providing the essential services needed.

President Winnecke: Okay, I know there are a lot of people here, some of whom may like to say something. We do have a limited amount of time, but we have another meeting shortly. I would open up brief time for comments from the audience if anyone is so inclined.

Jay Davidson: Hard to resist an open mike.

President Winnecke: There you go. If you could state your name for the record, please.

Jay Davidson: Father Jay Davidson, I’m with CAJE, Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment. And I really wasn’t prepared to make a statement, but I do have a question. The paper reported that at your previous budget hearing you had approved the $80,000 from casino funds for this new dental clinic. We were here at that meeting and I didn’t hear that motion. Did it happen or not? Was it veiled? When did it come and go?

President Winnecke: It did happen in the County Commission budget relating to Riverboat funding.

Jay Davidson: Was it explicitly mentioned there or is that just part of a package that –

President Winnecke: Part of a group package and we’ll pull out $80,000 from the 1.5 million dollars that is set aside in the Riverboat account, specifically for the dental operation.

Jay Davidson: Okay, I appreciate that and we appreciate your efforts on this. We do feel that the budget calls for $280,000 to make this clinic happen, so we’re waiting to see what further magic you can work. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Thank you. Anyone else? If you could state your name for the record, please.

Charles Carey: My name is Charles Carey. I’m not an official with CAJE, but as you can see, I’ve been around a long time and its all in Evansville. And we’ve had a problem in Evansville with dental care for the poor for a long time. I want to take just one moment of your time for you to imagine having a toothache for a year, and what you might do about it if you didn’t have the money. I can tell you of six instances where a person wrapped adhesive tape around a pair of pliers, pulled their own teeth because they were so desperate and had such a problem with the pain that they didn’t think they could wait the time it took to have it serviced under our present system. One of those people was my own son and when I found out about it, I was not a happy camper. And I would suggest to you that each of you probably know someone who has been forced into that kind of desperation. And I implore you to do whatever you can to keep people from having to make that type of a choice. Thank you.

President Winnecke: Thank you, sir. Anyone else? Having no other business, I would entertain a motion to adjourn.

Councilmember Tornatta: Motion.

President Winnecke: We are adjourned.

(Meeting adjourned at 10:01 a.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.