New Horizons to serve as funding agent for Reward Riding
Endowment procedure explained to Council
Mary Margaret Moorhead - Staff Writer

Noting that apparently they had put the "cart before the horse" in last month's decision to give $1,000 from the interest on an endowment in the Ripley County Community Foundation to the Reward Riding Program, Ripley County Council members spent an hour discussing and understanding the restrictions.

Chief among the discussion items was the fact that the council had voted last month to donate $1,000 of the interest to the Reward Riding Program since their funds from CETA had been eliminated and they were trying to keep the program going.

Following the long discussion, Council Member Smith moved that
the county put the interest money in the county's general fund rather than rolling it over. Council Member Nickell seconded, and the vote was 5-2 with Council Members Armbrecht and Bauer voting against.

Explaining that he was trying to connect the dots between New Horizons and the Reward Riding Program
at Impressive Dogwood Farms, Council Member Armbrecht heard an explanation from a New Horizons representative and Ron and Betty Brandes.

Since New Horizons is the not-for-profit agency that receives CETA funds for distribution, and since these funds have been cut within the last
few months, New Horizons is in the process of obtaining not-for-profit status for the Reward Riding Program.

At that point Council Member Armbrecht moved to make an additional appropriation from the county's general fund to New Horizons, already a part of the county's budget, to take care of the commitment of $1,000 for the Reward Riding Program.

Council Member Simon seconded the motion, which received a 7-0 vote. The additional appropriation will be advertised and voted upon at the June meeting.

In other business, County Auditor Mary Ann McCoy had listed three additional appropriations which had been advertised:

* Approval of a First Responder Communications Equipment Grant of $272,00.00 for the purchase of 800MHZ Communications Equipment for Emergency Services Agencies in Ripley County. Jerry Fry, director of Ripley County Civil Defense/Emergency Management explained that Ripley County had received the third highest amount out of 45 counties who qualified for funding.

Council members approved 7-0 with a chorus of "Good job!"

* Approval of an IU Automotive Safety Program Grant of $2,500 for salary ordinance/budget from Ripley County EMS. Scott Melling, executive director, explained the program, which provides 150 infant and tod
dler car seats to those needing them.

Even though concern was expressed at the salary I.U. sets for the grant facilitator, a motion by Smith and a second by Simon resulted in a 5-2 decision to approve, Armbrecht and Dramann providing the negative votes.

* Approval for the Ripley County Local Coordinating Council against Substance Abuse' spring grant round of $33,559.71. Chairperson Sandy Howard explained that the grants must be used for law enforcement, prevention education, or intervention treatment. A motion by Smith with a second by Dramann followed a lengthy discussion of the recipients of the grants, but received a 7-0 vote.

Several transfers received unanimous approval, along with the 911/Communication Director/Salary Ordinance for Judy Schebler, coordinator.

The meeting ended at 9:05 p.m.

In addition to county council members, Attorney Comer, and Auditor McCoy, other county officials present included Technology Coordinator Kelly Vollet, Sheriff Bill Davison, and Commissioners Chuck Folz and Robert Reiners.