Wanda English Burnett, Editor

Ripley County Council members signed a tentative agreement to give Belletech a ten-year tax abatement for 100 percent on real and personal property at their regular meeting September 15.
County Attorney Neil Comer explained the resolution he had prepared for council members saying the only action requested at the meeting was that the members adopt the resolution, which can be confirmed, rescinded or modified at the public hearing, which was set for October 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the commissioners’ room of the courthouse annex.

Mark McIntyre, vice president of Belletech, spoke at the meeting, requesting the abatement. He noted that they are working on a “very, very tight time frame,” with plans to actually be delivering their product to Honda in Greensburg by May 15, 2009.

McIntyre said they are looking at hiring 48 positions immediately and hoping for that many more in the future.

Commissioner President Robert Reiners said the commissioners are supportive of the abatement. Also speaking as a representative of the Osgood Town Council and the Ripley County Economic Development board, Jeff Volz said he recommended the abatement. Barry Lauber was in attendance and noted that the South Ripley School Corporation also was supportive.

Attorney Comer noted he’s never heard of any regrets about entities giving tax abatements.

President of the council, Dephane Smith, read the resolution and the vote was unanimous from the council members. Those in attendance applauded the move.

Sheriff Tom Grills came before the council requesting an additional appropriation of $22,500 from the garage and motors fund, which had been tabled previously. He also noted that he needed even more than that due to the rising costs of fuel. He said he would take an additional $7500 out of the home incarceration fund.

Ed Armbrecht, council member, said he had requested the sheriff previously look at the gasoline usage by the deputies. He said he realizes the cost of fuel has increased, but wanted the sheriff to limit the off-duty driving for his department.

Sheriff Grills said he has spoken to his deputies and asked them to be conservative. He also pointed out that when the jail is at full capacity, as it is now, it takes more miles to transport prisoners.

Armbrecht noted that other counties have already “lost cars” referring to the sheriff’s department, and said maybe in the future they would have to look at “no personal miles at all.”

The sheriff noted from a public safety standpoint the deputies need to have their vehicles with them at all times. He further noted that with “no more money than they’re making, (sometimes) that’s the only vehicle (police cruiser) they’ve got.”

Armbrecht made a motion that the $22,500 be approved, with the caution that the sheriff should once again tell his deputies to limit personal usage. The motion passed unanimously.

In other business:
• Ripley County Coroner Ron Buchanan requested to transfer $1,000 to pay for relief help as needed. The motion passed with Ed Armbrecht and David Simon casting dissenting votes.

• The request from Ripley County Superior Court Judge Jim Morris to transfer $1,267.11 for court intrepretive services was approved 7-0.

• Unanimous approval was given to Ripley County Treasurer Earlene Copeland to transfer $1,500 from clerical to supplies to purchase more receipts and supplies. She was in attendance and noted that she was “out of supply money due to the way taxes had to be sent out.” She said her costs had doubled. She was also given approval to take $3,798.99 out of the cumulative capital fund to purchase a needed printer.

• The resignation of Mel Black, who was appointed to the Osgood Public Library Board was accepted with unanimous approval to have Connie Coyle take his place.

All of the council members were in attendance: Mark Busching, Ed Armbrecht, David Simon, Don Dunbar, Dephane Smith, Ben Peetz, and Juanita Kaiser. Attorney Neil Comer was present to advise the council. The next meeting is set for October 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the courthouse annex in the commissioners’ room.