Riverboat fund revenue down by 40%
Commissioners adopt EMS rules, regulations
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Ripley County Commissioners John Little, Chuck Folz, and Robert Reiners agreed to adopt the Ripley County Uniform Emergency Ambulance Service Rules and Regulations brought to them by Scott Melling, EMS director, at their Monday, March 29, meeting.

Melling told commissioners the EMS would be sending out customer service surveys the first of April. He also presented contracts for EMS service, which County Attorney Neil Comer will check before final approval is given.

In continued discussion on serving portions of Franklin County, Melling said Southern Franklin County is willing to talk to Ripley County about covering a portion of Franklin County at a cost. Commissioners took the matter under advisement.

Concerning the riverboat revenue, Ripley County Council President Donald Dunbar told commissioners the revenue is down. Dunbar reported the county has spent approximately $34,300 on legal services, and the riverboat revenue is down approximately a half million dollars.

Later in the meeting Attorney Larry Eaton updated the commissioners on the riverboat funding from Rising Sun, noting funds were down approximately 40 percent. Indicating he will check on this matter, Eaton also reported that Rising Sun is changing their fiscal year to coincide with the calendar year.

According to Technology Coordinator Kelly Vollet, the $50,000 grant from the Rising Sun Regional Foundation will not be received until a report is made on Grant #700 and Grant #234. Commissioners said they will take care of the matter.

Vollet's request for $3,000 to go with the grant for the purchase of computers was approved to come from the county's general fund. Computers that are replaced will be sold to generate additional revenue.

The server for the new GIS system should arrive soon, said Vollet, and she will be distributing licenses for several offices.

Tad Brinson, director of the Area Planning Commission, reported a complaint in the Sunman area and also complaints received on smoking in the County Annex.

Representing the Southeastern Indiana Regional Planning Commission, Mary McCarty brought legal documents that needed the commissioners' signatures so that she may reapply for a Community Focus Grant for the Osgood Public Library.

Gene Bishop of the courthouse maintenance staff reported on completion of several projects and agreed to check on the air-conditioning for the second floor of the courthouse.

Other activities during the meeting included:

* An update from Andy Pickell of Beam, Longest & Neff on Bridge #46;

* Concern expressed by Janet Duval of 250 West County Road about flooding of the road due to poor drainage. Commissioner Reiners will check on the problem for Duval.

* County Treasurer Earline Copeland told commissioners the contract for the postage machine will run out in December 2004. She presented commissioners with a proposal from Pitney Bowes Mailing at a cost of $918 per month. This was taken under advisement.

* Ripley County Tourism Director Katherine Taul introduced LuAnn Mays as her new assistant and also updated the commissioners on the May 15 program.