President Abell: I would like to call to order the September 12, 2007 meeting of the Vanderburgh County Council. Mr. Goebel, would you lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance?

(Pledge of Allegiance was given)

President Abell: Could we have attendance roll call please?

President Abell: Do I have a motion to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2007 special meeting, the August 1, 2007 regular meeting –

Councilmember Raben: So moved.

President Abell: -- and the August 14, 15 and 16^th meetings?

Councilmember Raben: Still so moved.

President Abell: Okay. Do I have a second to all of those meetings?

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Any discussion? Roll call vote.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Sutton?

Councilmember Sutton: Yes.

Teri Lukeman: Councilmember Leader?

Councilmember Leader: Present, no, 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Appropriation ordinance.

JAIL

Councilmember Raben: Okay, first, Madam President, under Jail, 1051-1900, FICA, in the amount of $18,000, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

JAIL                                                                       REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

COUNTY ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next, under County Assessor, and, Madam President, I would like to call attention to our sheet that we’ll actually initial and sign, you’ll need to write in a few corrections, this being the first one. Under County Assessor, 1090-1972, Level II Certification, the correct amount is $167. On 1090-1900, FICA, $13, 1090-1910, PERF, $12, for a total appropriation of $192. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Goebel: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

COUNTY ASSESSOR                                           REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

PIGEON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Pigeon Township Assessor, 1050-1120-1150, the correct amount is $18,513. FICA is $1,417. PERF is $1,250, for a total of $21,180. I make that in the form of a motion.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Mr. Raben, did you say $1,250 or $1,215?

Councilmember Raben: One thousand two hundred and fifty dollars.

President Abell: Okay, thank you. Any discussion?

Teri Lukeman: Did you mean for that to be line item 1150-1971, rather than 1150-1120?

Councilmember Raben: That is correct. 1150-1971, is that first account. So, you need to make that change as well, 1150-1971-1150.

President Abell: Any other discussion?

Councilmember Winnecke: Did we talk about this last time?

President Abell: Oh, yeah.

Councilmember Winnecke: We did?

President Abell: We talked around it.

Councilmember Winnecke: Oh, we did? Okay, sorry.

Judy Stricker: Judy Stricker. I was unable to be here–

Councilmember Winnecke: Could you turn your, push the button.

Judy Stricker: Oh, push the button?

Councilmember Winnecke: The blue–

Judy Stricker: Oh.

Councilmember Winnecke: Talk.

Judy Stricker: Oh.

Councilmember Winnecke: There you go. Thanks.

Judy Stricker: Anyway, I wasn’t able to be here two weeks ago. I had ear surgery, so I can’t hear real well. I’ve still got a lot of packing. So, if you would, speak up. I know there was discussion on this last time. This is a buy-out because someone will be replacing Paul Hatfield October 1^st. I am running, but if I get elected, there’s still a buy-out. If I don’t get elected, I’m leaving, so there will still be a buy-out. If I stayed in and worked, you know, and didn’t have a Chief Deputy until the end of the year, it would only be $6,295 on the Chief Deputy part. Then that is what you would have to still pay, yeah, the $6,000, you know, till....because it will be February before somebody can put a Chief Deputy in without the buy-out, of next year, four months. So, if I was to stay in as the Chief Deputy, I mean, as the Assessor, I would be willing not to have a Chief Deputy. It would only cost the county $6,294, because of what’s remaining in the Chief Deputy budget. But, if I’m not in there, I don’t care if the other person has one or not, either. That’s up to the Council.

Councilmember Winnecke: I’m not quite clear I understood what you just said. If you succeed Mr. Hatfield–

Judy Stricker: Yeah.

Councilmember Winnecke: –and–

Judy Stricker: And didn’t have a Chief Deputy until the end of the year, then it would only cost the Council $6,294, plus what’s already in the budget.

Councilmember Winnecke: So–

Councilmember Raben: (Inaudible. Microphone not on.)

Councilmember Winnecke: So, I guess the question is, do we need to do this today?

Councilmember Goebel: It seems pretty muddled right now, I think. I don’t know if I understand exactly what’s taking place.

Judy Stricker: Okay, let me try to make this clear. Alright, I am running for office, but, you know, rumors, you know, there might be a couple of other people running, also. If I was to get elected, there would still be a buy-out. The buy-out is $18,513. That’s counting, that’s not counting what’s in the budget. If there wasn’t a Chief Deputy for the rest of the year, it would only be $6,294, because then what’s already budgeted for this year, I could use for my buy-out.

Councilmember Raben: I guess, there’s one point to maybe understand here. If, and you’re right, this is a little muddy, if she should not succeed as the replacement for Paul Hatfield, then the Chief Deputy line would sit empty because you would have to pay her out on her comp, you know, her buy-out, you know, her sick days, vacation days, you know, whatever those are, which amounts to–

Judy Stricker: Four months.

Councilmember Raben: Yeah, several months. So, if you don’t do anything, that’s the risk that’s involved here. That whoever comes in to replace, or the new Assessor, should it not be her, will not have a Deputy.

Judy Stricker: Whether it’s me or someone else, they won’t have a Chief Deputy until the first of the year, and it still would cost the Council $6,294 for January of next year.

President Abell: I have a question.

Judy Stricker: Yes?

President Abell: Has Mr. Hatfield officially given anyone a resignation?

Judy Stricker: He has the central committee.

President Abell: But, has he given anyone of authority in the county an official resignation, an official retirement date?

Judy Stricker: He did the Auditor’s office.

Bill Fluty: I believe we have a letter on file from Mr. Hatfield.

President Abell: What does he say his date, his last–

Bill Fluty: It’s October 1^st, I believe.

Judy Stricker: Uh-huh, that was the last time. It was November 1^st, then it’s October 1^st, then it wasn’t –

President Abell: That’s exactly my point. I thought it was November 1^st at one point. You know, he could decide he’s not going to retire. Isn’t that true? I mean, has he done more than just ask you what his buy-out would be, or has he actually said, I’m resigning?

Bill Fluty: I think he’s sent us a letter stating that he’s going to retire October 1^st. Obviously, that could change if he would send us another letter.

President Abell: If he retires October 1^st, they have what, 30 days to call a caucus?

Judy Stricker: They’re having it the end of this month.

President Abell: The end of September? You can’t have a caucus before someone resigns.

Judy Stricker: Yes, you can, as long as he’s turned in his resignation to the Central Committee. I’ve already asked Susie Kirk, and she says he can. The Central Committee says he could. So, they’ve already set a date.

Bill Fluty: When is the date?

Judy Stricker: September 29^th. So, whoever wins the 29^th, takes office that Monday.

President Abell: Well, you know, I mean, I certainly wouldn’t want to argue with the Democratic Party, they know what they’re doing, but I used to be the Clerk of the Court, and if you have a caucus on September the 29^th, and Mr. Hatfield hasn’t retired yet, and he doesn’t like who’s elected, he can just decide I’m not going to retire. Then we’ve got this budget set for a retirement, you can’t, he can’t be forced out until he actually retires, or resigns, or whatever he’s calling it. If his isn’t effective until October 1^st, and you have a September 29^th caucus, and he says, well, that ain’t who I wanted to have succeed me, and I don’t know that he even cares, but if he were to say that or feel that way, and then not resign, then we have this line item loaded up for two people and we’ve only got one person that’s going to be sitting in the seat.

Judy Stricker: I don’t know. I just know what they tell me. I’ve asked Susie Kirk if, you know, if they could have one, and she said, yes, they can as long as central committee gets a letter of resignation from Mr. Hatfield. He did that quite a while ago.

President Abell: I would like to see this put off for a month. I don’t want to run the county business based on some political thing that might go on and might not go on.

Councilmember Winnecke: I mean, my personal–

President Abell: Mr. Goebel?

Councilmember Winnecke: I’m sorry. I’m not opposed to this. I just think the timing is, we might just be a month early, I think. I mean, I understand everyone’s position, I just, it seems to me we need to let everything take its course and then put the money in place. I don’t know that anyone here is opposed to this, but that would be my personal feeling.

President Abell: Mr. Goebel, did you have something?

Councilmember Goebel: I just think we can remove the political aspect and just look at what is legal, if we can approve this today or not. But, if it’s agreeable that we wait until October, I guess, that might be a good move at this point.

Councilmember Raben: I think we can do that. The only risk involved is the new office holder will be without a Chief Deputy while the time is being paid out of this salary line. So anyway, but I’m fine with that. Madam President, I would like to—

President Abell: Mr. Shetler wants to ask a question.

Councilmember Shetler: I guess, the only point is, is that our next meeting is October 3^rd, I believe, so, they would only be without for two days, at the most, and I think during that period of time that they’ll have a difficult time trying to hire somebody within a few days time anyway. So, given the whole circumstance here, it makes sense to me to hold off. So, I think it makes sense. I don’t know, is there a motion on the floor? To approve this? If there’s not a motion–

President Abell: I don’t–

Councilmember Shetler: –then my motion would be to–

Councilmember Raben: I’ll withdraw the motion.

President Abell: Do we have a second to that motion? Ms. Leader?

Councilmember Leader: I’ll second.

President Abell: Okay.

Councilmember Raben: Okay.

President Abell: Do you understand what we’re doing?

Judy Stricker: Okay.

President Abell: We’re just putting it off.

Judy Stricker: Okay, but if I’m not here October 3^rd, would somebody please make sure I get my buy-out?

President Abell: Well, you know, and you could change your mind. That’s the problem, we’re going on the theory that all this stuff is going to happen, and we need to be doing stuff based on what has definitely happened, and what–

Judy Stricker: Sure.

President Abell: –and you don’t, we’re not going to knock you out of any money, I promise you.

Judy Stricker: Okay.

President Abell: Okay. Thank you.

Judy Stricker: Was there any questions on the Extra Help thing while I’m here?

President Abell: Any questions for anyone? Evidently not. Thank you.

Councilmember Raben: Yeah, Madam President, at this time I would like to make a motion to set in Pigeon Township request at zero.

President Abell: Is there a second to that?

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

PIGEON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR                        REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

UNION TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Next, Union Township Assessor in the amount of $562, I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

Councilmember Winnecke: Does that need to be pro-rated, also?

Councilmember Raben: No, that’s for the Chief and the Assessor. So, that’s the correct amount.

President Abell: The correct amount is the $562? We have a second on that from Mr. Sutton. 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

UNION TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR                          REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

AREA PLAN COMMISSION 

Councilmember Raben: Next, under Area Plan, 1240-1971, in the amount of $2,285, 1240-1900 for $175, and 1240-1910, PERF, in the amount of $155, 1240-3142, Televised Meetings, in the amount of $2,000, and 1240-3610, Legal Services, in the amount of $10,000, for a total of $14,615. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Abell: Sorry. 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

AREA PLAN COMMISSION                                  REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

CIRCUIT COURT

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next under Circuit Court, 1360-1944, Special Reporter, in the amount of $5,000. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Would you give that number again? 1360 what?

Councilmember Raben: 1360-3944.

President Abell: Okay, 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

CIRCUIT COURT                                                   REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

LEGAL AID

Councilmember Raben: Madam President, Legal Aid has been withdrawn.

LEGAL AID                                                            REQUESTED       APPROVED

COUNTY COUNCIL

Councilmember Raben: So, I’ll move down to County Council, 1480-3460, in the amount of $15,000, and 1480-4220, in the amount of $699, for a total of $15,699. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Sutton: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? Roll call.

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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

COUNTY COUNCIL                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

REASSESSMENT/TREASURER

REASSESSMENT/ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

REASSESSMENT/PIGEON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next Madam President, under Reassessment Fund appropriations, I’m going to move that the requests for the Treasurer, Armstrong Township and Pigeon Township be approved as listed.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

TREASURER                                                         REQUESTED       APPROVED

ARMSTRONG TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR              REQUESTED       APPROVED

PIGEON TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR                        REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

CIRCUIT COURT SUPPLEMENTAL ADULT PROBATION

Councilmember Raben: Circuit Court Supplemental Adult Probation, 2600-3130, in the amount of $4,000, 2600-3530, in the amount of $5,000, and 2600-4120, in the amount of $21,550, for a total of $30,550. I’ll move approval.

Councilmember Winnecke: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

CIRCUIT COURT

SUPPLEMENTAL ADULT PROBATION              REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

LEGAL AID UNITED WAY

Councilmember Raben: Okay, under United Way, United Way Legal Aid has been withdrawn as well.

LEGAL AID UNITED WAY                                    REQUESTED       APPROVED

AUDITOR

JAIL

REASSESSMENT/PTABOA

REASSESSMENT/PERRY TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

REASSESSMENT/SCOTT TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLAN COMMISSION

COUNTY ASSESSOR (LATE)

Councilmember Raben: I will move on to transfers. I will move that all transfers be approved as listed.

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

AUDITOR                                                               REQUESTED       APPROVED

JAIL                                                                       REQUESTED       APPROVED

REASSESSMENT/PTABOA                                 REQUESTED       APPROVED

REASSESSMENT/

PERRY TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR                          REQUESTED       APPROVED

REASSESSMENT/

SCOTT TOWNSHIP ASSESSOR                          REQUESTED       APPROVED

LOCAL EMERGENCY PLAN COMMISSION       REQUESTED       APPROVED

COUNTY ASSESSOR                                           REQUESTED       APPROVED

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

Councilmember Raben: Okay, did I skip a, no, there was one late transfer.

President Abell: There is a late transfer. Do you have the–

Councilmember Raben: Yeah, I said all transfers as requested.

Councilmember Raben: Okay, next, under the amendments to the salary ordinance, first, under County Assessor, I move we amend salary line 1090-1972, Level II Certification, to include Level II for Assessor Chief Deputy Lori Gonyer. Appropriation approved for the last four months of 2007. Under Union Assessor, amend salary line 1170-1972, Level II Certification, to include Level II for both the Assessor Joe Steinkamp and Chief Deputy Joni Steinkamp. The appropriation was approved for the last four months of 2007. Area Plan, amend salary line 1240-1971, Accrued Payments, as previously adopted. Accrued payment is for buy-out for former employee. The employee retired effective August 31, 2007. Armstrong Assessor, amend salary line 2490-1100-1990, Extra Help, as previously approved. Pigeon Township/Reassessment, amend salary line 2490-1150-1190, Extra Help, as previously approved. Jail, salary line 1051-1530, Shift Differential, as transfer previously approved on August 29^th. Election Office, amend salary ordinance to allow part-time Election Office employees to be paid up to $8.50 per hour. County Assessor, amend salary line, 1090-1970, Temporary Replacement, as transfer previously approved. That is all for the amendments. That’s a motion.

President Abell: I was going to ask you if that was in the form of a motion?

Councilmember Shetler: Second.

President Abell: 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Thank you, Mr. Raben.

President Abell: Under old business, the ordinance approving the acquisition of real estate from the State of Indiana, we are pulling that from the agenda, and pulling it entirely until the County Commissioners give us a final decision of what they want to do with that. Then, we can advertise it and put it back on. I just talked to them, and I understand that there’s someone at Soil and Water Conservation that’s considering purchasing this land. I don’t know where it is. We’re going to quit keeping it on our agenda, it’s been on here for a while, until they make a decision. So you can take that off the agenda.

President Abell: The Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage ordinance, which we’ve already had on first reading is ready for the second reading.

Councilmember Winnecke: Madam Chairman? I would move that we pass on second reading the previously adopted Pigeon Creek Greenway ordinance.

President Abell: Do we have a second?

Councilmember Leader: Second.

President Abell: Any discussion? 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

President Abell: Under new business you have a letter from Mr. Deisher regarding the BKD engagement for review of two offices that we’re going to start working on. Also, under new business, this is not on your agenda, I’m appointing a committee made up of Mr. Raben and Councilman Leader and Cathy Edrington, who is a member of the Taxpayers Association, to look into the tax relief that has been given by the General Assembly regarding our ability to tax a one percent income tax to offset property taxes. We are just at this time looking into this to, that’s basically what this committee is going to do. I appreciate you’re meeting and letting us know what your feelings are on this particular item. If anyone else has any interest in that and wants to give any input, please feel free to contact either Mr. Raben or Councilman Leader. I guess, we’re going to take a motion to approve this BKD letter, even though we appropriated the money and we’re going to do it. You have it on your desk, and I will entertain a motion to accept that letter.

Councilmember Leader: I so move.

Councilmember Shetler: Second.

President Abell: 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.

Teri Lukeman: President Abell?

President Abell: Yes.

(Motion unanimously approved 7-0)

Councilmember Winnecke: Madam President?

President Abell: Yes, Mr. Winnecke?

Councilmember Winnecke: Just, back to the point on your committee, I think it’s a great idea, it might be a good, not to increase more work for the Auditor’s office, but Mr. Fluty might be a good resource for that committee.

President Abell: I think he would, and I think they do intend to contact you regarding the percentages, so that we’ll know where we are. Also, Ms. Leader, I gave you all the documentation. There is a name of Representative Crouch’s administrative assistant on there, he might be able to give us some indication on the income tax amounts, so you’ll know what we are looking at on that, so that if this does come before us, we’re all properly informed as to...the bill is this thick, I don’t think anyone wants to read it. It took my printer a long time to print it off. Ms. Leader and Mr. Raben can read it and give us the CliffsNotes on it. Is there any other business to come before the Council? We have someone in the audience that wants to make–

Gerald Reddick: I don’t know if this is the right time.

President Abell: You can come and give your name at the microphone and tell us what you want to discuss with us.

Gerald Reddick: My name is Gerald Reddick, and I live at 11711 Bohannon Drive. What I’m here about is the article that appeared in the paper on August the 29^th concerning the Scott Township Assessor wanting to rent his property. I don’t think it’s appropriate. So, I’m here, if this is the time, I typed a letter, I would like to read it.

President Abell: It would be appropriate for you to read it to us, if you would like.

Gerald Reddick:

“ I am here today concerning the article that appeared in the Evansville Courier Press on August 29^th of ‘07, concerning the request of Scott Township Assessor John Habermel to move the Assessor’s office from its existing location to property that he owns. First off, let me tell you that I’m against renting, period. Why should public records be kept in a private residence in the first place? It seems odd that after less than ten months in office, Mr. Habermel would approach this Council with this request, as well as a request to more than double his salary. It would seem that there’s appearance of personal gain at the taxpayers’ expense. I have been in the Scott Township Assessor’s office at its present location, which is the Scott Township Fire Department on North Green River Road. I have not found it to be any kind of a liability going into the building and walking around that fire truck. There is more than ample room. The possible liability that Mr. Habermel spoke of could be removed very easily. There’s an entrance door on the north side of that building. You open that door and step inside and you are in the Assessor’s office. All that would need to be done is to pour a sidewalk from the parking area to that doorway, which would be approximately 25 feet. That would alleviate his possible liability of anybody getting hurt going around that fire truck. Since this article appeared in the newspaper, I have went to the Assessor’s website and located the property on the map and have some measurements which are approximate only, that this Council might be interested in reviewing. The lot dimensions are approximately 143 by 212 feet deep. There’s approximately 93 feet from the back of the main building to the back of the property line. There’s ample opportunity to build on this property. There’s 35 feet between the south end of the second building to the south side property line, which is enough room to put a driveway around that front building. The original building --“

--or the additional building. I think this may be the second building that was built. There’s two buildings on this property, which are just joined by a little passageway.

“The building that the fire truck is stored in is approximately 40 feet wide, and with the approximate 93 foot distance to the rear, or the east property line, why not construct a building of approximately 40 by 40 for the use of the Scott Township Assessor’s office? This would leave a large area for parking, and would certainly increase the size of the Assessor’s office.”

Now, I realize that this property is owned by Scott Township Fire Department, but I’m sure that there’s some way that this Council or...and, and, understand me, folks, I’m not a government person, okay? I’m just a plain old, simple, everyday working stiff, which I’ve retired, but I made my living with the use of my hands. I know there’s ways that things can be done. I don’t understand why we pay people rent for years and years and years and years, and then they get out of office, and all of a sudden we’ve got to scramble to find some place to put all these public records. If we had a building that we owned, we maintained, wouldn’t that make a lot more sense than to pay somebody rent for eight, ten, twelve, sixteen years, and when that person is gone, you’re grabbing all your stuff, and all you’ve got is your hat in your hand, but look at the money that you’ve wasted all the years by renting. Now, you know, maybe I’m out of step with reality, I don’t know, but, it just does not make sense to me that Mr. Habermel would get into office and...after reading the article on August 29^th, I don’t know this man from Adam, but I don’t like him. I mean, to me, it seemed to me like he sat in his recliner at home and thought, you know, if I could get this Assessor’s job, I could get this office moved to my house at the corner of Boonville-New Harmony and Old State and I could get the county to pay my mortgage. I don’t like it. I don’t know how you folks feel about it, but I think it’s a crock myself.

President Abell: Well, let me assure you, we didn’t give him the salary increase, and we didn’t move his offices.

Gerald Reddick: That was in the article, and I appreciate that. I mean, just because, and the way I’m looking at it, he does not take the county offered insurance. Well, if he’s still working, that means his employer provides him with a better policy. If the county provided a better policy than his employer, I’m sure he would be on the county rolls, but apparently his employer does it. But, just because you’re getting insurance somewhere else, that don’t mean you can take what we would have give you and put it in your pocket, too. I mean, if that ain’t double dipping, I don’t know what it is. Like I said, I don’t know this man from Adam, I wouldn’t know him if I bumped into him on the sidewalk, but I think he’s gone the wrong direction.

President Abell: Well, and to address your concern about public records, there’s a committee in this building right now that’s looking at our, we have excess space here from the jail that moved out of here, and we are looking at bringing public records here for some storage. So, some of the public records could easily be moved into here. They only need some current things at their fingertips. So, I think we are going to address the issues that you have brought forward.

Gerald Reddick: Well, I think it needs to be. I mean, and I realize it would be a little inconvenient for people that live in the outlying areas if they have to go to the office to come all the way down here, but, like I said, in fifteen years, I know the Assessor’s office is going to be right here in room number “x” regardless of who the Assessor is. It shouldn’t matter. You know, I just, well, I’m up in arms, and I’ll tell you why, because last year I bought into the subdivision that I’m living in now. When I bought into Bohannon Estates I was not aware that the streets in that subdivision were private. Now, we’ve got to have new roads, we’ve got to have new ditches, we’ve got to have sewers. Which, the sewers is okay. I’m not, that’s not the problem, but the streets are a problem, because some thirty odd years ago that subdivision was developed, and the county did not accept the roads. Now, my thinking with that is, the county should have went back to the developer and said, now, this is what we expect you to do, and this is the way we want it done. You’re going to have to do it, or we’ll do it and bill you. But, no, the county allowed the roads to stay and took the easy road out and said, just leave it alone, we don’t have to accept them. Well, thirty some odd years down the road, we’re getting screwed, to put it bluntly. To the tune of over $11,000 per property owner. I think it’s a crying shame that the leaders of this community, back then, could not stand up on their two feet and say, this ain’t the way it’s supposed to be. This ain’t the way it’s going to be. You’re going to have to do it our way, or we’ll do it and you’re going to pay for it. I’m sorry. There was a lapse in judgement then, and now we’re paying the bill for it. None of us like it. We’ve been to the Commissioners, and, well, we’ve got what we got. But, if I had known a year ago what was there, my house on Green River Road would still have me in it.

President Abell: We understand. There have been a lot of changes in thirty years over the acceptance of roads and our forcing developers to do a better job at building those roads. I’m sorry that thirty years ago that wasn’t that way, but I wasn’t here thirty years ago.

Gerald Reddick: Well, I think thirty years down the road, we should get a little bit of help on this bill, because I don’t think we should have to foot the bill. I wouldn’t care to pay part of it, don’t misunderstand me, but, when I come in, when I drive on a county road, I would assume, or when I drive on a road that’s in the county, I would assume that that’s a county owned road. Or at least a county maintained road. I bought a place only to find out that it wasn’t. I didn’t like it then. I don’t like it now, and I’m not going to like it next week. When we can’t get any help on paying the bill, that just kind of throws a little bit of salt on the wound.

President Abell: I understand, sir.

Gerald Reddick: Thank you all for your time.

President Abell: Thank you. Anything else to come before this Council? We are adjourned.

(There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 11:08 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 by Teri Lukeman and transcribed by Teri Lukeman and Madelyn Grayson.