Council warned about spending
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

"If you think the budget's tight now, wait 'til next year," warned Donald Dunbar, who was elected president at the County Council meeting January 18.

The County has received an average of $600,000 a year for the past ten years from riverboat revenue, according to Dunbar, who further noted the money won't last forever. He asked the Commissioners to look into ways to fund some of the county's expenses.

Dunbar noted that about $495,000 is being paid for rescue service in Ripley County. That figure comes to about $10,000 a week and includes all the rescue units - 10, 20, 30, 69 and the newly formed Paramedic Unit, according to Dunbar.

Scott Melling, Ripley County EMS Director came before the Council with an amended paramedic sal
ary ordinance to be approved. He said the money was already in the budget, but there was a discrepancy on his part. The motion carried with Bill Dramann casting the dissenting vote.

Dramann asked Melling about the issue of electronic billing. Melling's reply was that not everyone is completely on board. He also admitted that his books were "pretty messed up" but he would be willing to sit down with anyone and go over them. He further noted that the em
ployee who wasn't keeping up with billing is no longer employed with him.

Melling gave a report of responding to 1373 runs in 2004.

Katherine Taul, representing Ripley County Tourism, presented the 2005 budget for approval. She noted that the budget has been cut $5,000 from last year, saying she didn't ask for a pay increase, but felt it was important to spend money on advertising to promote tourism. The county allocation is $40,000 with Innkeepers Taxes anticipated to be $45,000, bringing the total budget to $85,000.

It was noted the money would come from EDIT funds, not riverboat.

In other business:

· Dunbar noted the jail payment of $225,000 would be made from Belterra Riverboat money.

· Tad Brinson, Director of the Planning Commission, came before the council to ask for the reappointment of Owen Menchhofer to the Ripley County Planning Commission. It met with unanimous approval.

· Copies of the 2005 Budget were given to new council members Ben Peetz and Mark Busching.

· Sheriff Bill Davison submitted his semi-annual report on jail commissary funds. The sheriff also requested a $15,000 transfer from the Physician Fund to the Part Time Nurse Fund. It was approved.

· A request for a transfer of funds from Veteran's Officer Andrew Clark was tabled for lack of information.

Sharon Wheeler, a resident of Prattsburg Road, attended the meeting to address road conditions. Dunbar told her that it isn't the council's place to hear that type of issue, "it should be addressed at a commissioner meeting," he told Wheeler.

Wheeler said she had called the Auditor's Office and was told she could address the problem at the council meeting on Tuesday night. She noted that commissioners meetings are held "during the day when everyone works."

Dunbar gave Wheeler the courtesy to be heard since the commissioners were all in attendance.

Wheeler spoke to issues of poor snow removal, spring rains that cause problems that are not corrected, high grass that isn't mowed and deep ditches. Commissioner Robert Rein
ers told her they would discuss the situation at the next commissioners meeting and "try to do something to correct this."

Two issues were discussed but not acted upon at the meeting.

First, council members heard about an ordinance that County Attorney Neil Comer had been asked to draw up for the Probation Department. This concerned creating a fund having to do with a juvenile website that would link law enforcement, probation and schools.

The fund would simply be a venue for monies to be deposited and dispersed. Technology Coordinator Kelly Vollet said a grant had been obtained for one year to fund the project and her understanding was that area schools were committed to funding the project after that.

Since Chief Probation Officer Shannon Schmaltz was not in attendance to explain how the system would work, council members felt they needed more information and tabled the matter.

Another issue that was tabled had to do with the present Rainy Day Fund. Comer explained that a new ordinance would give a broader application concerning the fund.

Both new members Ben Peetz and Mark Busching requested copies of the ordinance as it stands.

Mark Busching was elected to serve on the Economis Development Fund. Ben Peetz was elected to serve on the E911 Advisory Board. Both met with unanimous approval. Dephane Smith will serve as vice president of the council.

Council members in attendance included Donald Dunbar, Mark Busching, Ben Peetz, William Dramann, David Simon and Dephane Smith. Ed Armbrecht was absent.

County Attorney Neil Comer was present to advise the board and Auditor Mary Ann McCoy recorded the minutes.