COUNTY COUNCIL
REGULAR SESSION
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M.
ATTENDANCE:
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
COMMISSIONER:
ATTORNEY:
AUDITOR:
DEPUTY AUDITOR:
AUDIENCE:
Mitchell Proctor, President
Darrel Thomas, Vice President
Larry Parker
Roger Deck
Opal Sutherlin
Keith Berry
Nancy Fogle
James Baird
Elizabeth South
Stephanie Campbell
Evelyn Owens
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The County Council met in regular session on September 15, 2009 at
7:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex. The pledge to the flag was given.
GREENCASTLE TOWNSHIP BUDGET
Greencastle Township Trustee, Thelma Bumgardner was present to
answer any questions regarding her budget. Discussion was made on
the rainy day fund. Mrs. Bumgardner stated they had just purchased a
new fire truck.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP BUDGET
Washington Township Trustee, Jim Sheldon was present to answer any
questions regarding his budget. Darrel Thomas asked if there were any
capital projects planned. Mr. Sheldon stated they had just purchased a
small brush truck and he was planning on putting in for an emergency
fire loan for 2010.
PUTNAM COUNTY LIBRARY BUDGET
Alice Greenburg stated they are paying off their bonds this year. She
stated there were no capital projects on the agenda, just maintenance.
ROACHDALE LIBRARY BUDGET
Debbie Keffer, Roachdale Librarian explained the office staff and the
hours of operation for the library. She stated they had received $6,000
from the State to computerize and will be live on October 7th.
LITTLE WALNUT CONSERVANCY
Larry Parker stated Kathy Deer had spoken to him and stated their
budget is lower from last year.
RUSSELLVILLE TOWN BUDGET
Keith Berry asked why Russellville’s budget had no amounts. Auditor
Stephanie Campbell stated their budgets were not turned in on time for
2008/2009. They had to do additionals for everything.
FILLMORE TOWNSHIP BUDGET
Roger Deck asked why Fillmore Town had a 42.5% increase. Auditor
Stephanie Campbell stated if they didn’t get things done on time they
would have to do additionals as well. She stated she did not know if that
was the case because they submit their paperwork to the State and not
her.
Keith Berry asked if we had received budgets from everyone. Auditor
Stephanie Campbell stated yes. Mitchell Proctor stated he would like an
explanation or reasoning for the large increase in Fillmore’s budget.
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP BUDGET
Discussion was made on the large increase in Jefferson Township’s
budget. Larry Parker stated Larry Salsman keeps money back
sometimes. He may have pulled some money out for equipment, etc.
Mitchell Proctor stated he would like an explanation or reasoning for the
large increase in Jefferson Township’s budget.
ANNUAL REVIEW
Roger Deck made a motion to state that the Council has made their
annual review of the non binding budgets with two concerns, Jefferson
Township and Fillmore Town. Darrel Thomas seconded. The motion
carried.
PUBLIC DEFENDER
Keith Berry stated he would like to explore how other counties handle
their public defender positions. He has checked with Hendricks and
Clay County and they contract them out.
Nancy Fogle stated she went to Parke County and the Auditor there said
the Judge handles the public defenders. They have four public defenders
that are paid $25,000 a year with no benefits. Their budget is $110,900
total. It consists of four attorney’s salaries and the rest is used for
witness fees and travel.
Opal Sutherlin stated she checked with Clay County and the judges
there do contracts for public defenders. Their total budget is $136,000.
They have no space in the courthouse, no perks and they have no
problem filling the positions.
Keith Berry stated Hendricks County does things a little differently. He
has a copy of the contract that they use. Mr. Berry stated he found out
the same information that Mrs. Sutherlin did in Clay County. He
thought they should change the way Putnam County currently handles
its public defenders. He went to the Auditor’s Office and received a
printout of the salaries for everyone. For four public defenders and two
secretaries their budget was $194,252. He stated compared to Clay
County that would be a savings of over $139,000 and they would still
fulfill their constitutional obligation.
Darrel Thomas stated the purpose of this meeting is for the adoption of
the 2010 budget. Keith Berry stated that a decision had to be made now
before the adoption. Nancy Fogle stated it was not fair to the staff if they
made a decision in 2010. They needed to do it now to give individuals
notice. Discussion was made on the different ways to do things.
Judge Bridges stated Jackson County has a population of 42,000 with
five public defenders. Washington County has a population of 28,000
with five public defenders.
Judge Headley stated he did not envy the Council for the position they
have. He recited the 6th Amendment to the Bill of Rights. He stated that
what they were considering would be more costly and they should talk to
the judges in the counties that they went to. He stated they have 1,630
cases filed for 2009. Out of that 780 cases require public defenders.
They not only do criminal cases but child and juvenile also.
Judge Headley stated that he is standing up for the system and his staff.
Jenny Vermillion has worked there for nine years and Heather Price has
worked there for five years. He stated he has competent people and the
system cannot fail or it will cost more in the long run.
Opal Sutherlin stated the Council was not looking at this as an
elimination of jobs. They were pursuing this to try and gain space in the
courthouse. The Public Defenders would not lose their job.
Unfortunately with the change the two secretarial positions would no
longer be necessary. The Public Defenders would be a contractual
employee with no benefits. Putnam County is the only county she has
heard of that offers benefits to Public Defenders. Judge Headley said
the benefits were an added incentive for the Public Defenders because
they needed the insurance for their families.
Roger Deck stated what is being proposed is to have the Public Defender
positions contracted out. Judge Headley stated he does not think they
will have the savings they are expecting. He is not convinced that the
system will still work. Keith Berry stated he appreciated Judge Headley
coming to the meeting and his passionate plea, but they have to look at
making it work for less. The Council is responsible for the county’s
finances. Judge Bridges stated he thinks the system will work, just not
at $30,000. He didn’t feel you the county would get qualified individuals
at that salary. Keith Berry stated that hopefully the current Public
Defender will still want the job. Opal Sutherlin said she hoped the
Judges would work with the Council during this transitional period.
Del Brewer, Senior Prosecutor stated there will be people applying for the
jobs but they won’t be competent. He stated the Council would really be
cutting the current Public Defenders down to $20,000 because they
would have to take up the overhead for facilities, insurance, etc.
Darrel Thomas stated that the original conversation had nothing to do
with quality. It has to do with infrastructure. The elimination of the
Public Defender positions had never been brought up by the Council.
Judge Bridges stated that he would rather see the Public Defenders
offices not located in the courthouse. If this does take place and there is
space available, he would love to have a Majestry and the Juvenile
Probation Department moved to the third floor.
Mitchell Proctor thanked everyone for being professional throughout the
discussion of the Public Defender offices.
Darrel Thomas made a motion to approve the 2010 budget as submitted.
Motion failed due to lack of second.
Keith Berry made a motion to change Public Defender A & B budgets to
$70,000 each for Public Defenders and $12,500 in each budget for cases
that have conflicts (total of $25,000) and to reduce the Commissioners
budget by $90,000 (benefits currently given to Public Defenders and
secretaries). Roger Deck seconded.
Elizabeth South made discussion on IC Codes. Darrel Thomas stated
that he would not vote for this motion. He stated they have not done due
diligence in researching this matter. He feels it would be better to do
further research and if they wanted to change the process do it in 2011.
He stated that he disagreed with Opal Sutherlin. He did not feel the
county had a space problem. He stated that 30 days is not enough time
to do this. Opal Sutherlin stated that she did not mean that space was
the issue.
Darrel Thomas and Mitchell Proctor opposed the motion. Larry Parker
abstained but stated he has a problem with the Public Defenders
receiving benefits. The motion passed with 4 in favor, 2 opposed and 1
abstained.
MISCELLANEOUS
Judge Bridges stated he received a letter from the State Court
Association denying their request for a grant for the video court. He also
informed the Council that he is currently paying $121.97 a quarter for
his office copier and he will run out of office supply money before the end
of the year.
JAIL BUDGET
Judge Bridges stated he had spoken with the Sheriff concerning his 2010
budget. The Sheriff felt the only place he could make his requested cut
by the Council was the Civil Deputy position. He could not cut a jail
officer. Judge Bridges felt this would be a huge problem if they lost the
Civil Deputy. This was a security issue, there needed to be a deputy for
the courts. He asked the Council to revisit this budget and see if there
was another way to make the necessary cuts for the county.
Elizabeth South stated the Putnam County Courthouse is a huge target
for something to happen. She felt strongly about the matter since she
has traveled to other courthouses. Discussion was made about security.
Opal Sutherlin stated she would like to see the civil deputy at a desk on
the first floor where everyone that comes in will see him. Judge Bridges
stated that most of the time he is in the courts.
Auditor Stephanie Campbell advised the Council that they had asked the
Sheriff to cut “X” amount of dollars from the jail budget. The Sheriff felt
the Civil Deputy position was the only place he could cut and still
operate the jail. Auditor Campbell stated the Council could adjust the
county general operating balance and allow the position to remain.
Nancy Fogle made a motion to put $25,575 back into the Jail budget for
the Civil Deputy. Keith Berry seconded. The motion carried.
2010 BUDGET
Darrel Thomas made a motion to approve the 2010 budget as modified.
Opal Sutherlin seconded. The motion carried.
Nancy Fogle stated she would like everyone to continue research on the
public defender’s office. Discussion was made on the issues with the
public defender salaries and positions.
COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS EFT
Mitchell Proctor stated that a correction for the Community Corrections
EFT needed to be approved. Keith Berry made a motion to approve.
Larry Parker seconded. The motion carried.
MISCELLANEOUS DISCUSSION
Mitchell Proctor stated there was suggestion of impropriety because of 4
Council members being present at a precinct meeting. He stated that
they all needed to be careful and cannot discuss business at a meeting.
COMMITTEE UPDATES
Opal Sutherlin stated the Cemetery Board had 14,000 pictures on the
internet and 23,000 names. She stated that the Board also offered to
give the Commissioners $1,100 for fence at the County Home Cemetery.
Roger Deck stated the 911 Board met and the State has come up with a
way for 911 dispatchers to get information to road deputies via
computer. Mr. Deck stated that the Humane Society is short three board
members.
Keith Berry stated the Economic Development Board is doing well. He
stated that the Shell building is still for sale and they are looking at
different buildings. Mr. Berry stated that discussion was made on the
traffic flow through downtown Greencastle. He informed everyone that
Indiana’s Congressman will be attending their next meeting.
AUDITOR’S OFFICE POSITION
Stephanie Campbell stated that she would like final approval from the
Council to fill a full time position in the Auditor’s Office. Keith Berry
made a motion to approve. Larry Parker seconded. The motion carried.
ADJOURN
Darrel Thomas made the motion to adjourn. Keith Berry seconded. The
motion carried.
______________________________
Mitchell Proctor, President
________________________________
Darrel Thomas, Vice President
______________________________
Keith Berry
________________________________
Opal Sutherlin
_______________________________
Roger Deck
________________________________
Larry Parker
_______________________________
Nancy Fogle
________________________________
Attest: Stephanie Campbell,
Auditor