The Ripley County Council met on December 17th, 2007 at the Ripley County Annex in Versailles, Indiana.
Donald Dunbar, Council President called the meeting to order promptly at 7:00PM with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Council members Dephane Smith, Edward Armbrecht, Juanita Kaiser, David Simon, Donald Dunbar, Mark Busching and Ben Peetz were present for the council meeting.
Neil Comer, Attorney was present for the council meeting to answer any legal questions.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the corrected minutes for the November 19th, 2007 meeting seconded by Council Member Simon. Motion approved unanimously.
County Attorney Comer advised that he has worked up a contract for the Humane Society and the County to sign per the $60,000 that the County has contracted with the Humane Society.
Council Member Smith made a motion to approve the additional appropriation for $60,000 Acct# 293-37800-000-293 Riverboat Gaming Fund for the Ripley County Humane Society Contract seconded by Council Member Kaiser. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the transfer of $10,829 from Acct# 201-36400-000-027 Liability & Casualty to Acct# 201-19100-000-027 Workers Comp. & transfer $4,379.59 from Acct# 201-36400-000-027 Liability & Casualty to Acct# 201-29100-000-027 Tires & Tubes for Ripley County Highway Department seconded by Council Member Simon. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the transfer of $491.93 from Acct#100-32700-000-00- Mileage to Acct#100-25300-000-009 Office Supplies for Ripley County Extension Office seconded by Council Member Kaiser. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the transfer for $6,214 from Foster Homes, $5,047 to Preservation, $213 to Misc. and $954 to Foster Parent for a total of $6, 214 and $100,000 from Foster Homes to Institutions and $100,000 from Preservation to Institutions for a total of $200,000 for Family & Children seconded by Council Member Kaiser. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the encumbrance of $230,511 for the 2007 Bills, to be paid in 2008 for Family & Children seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the 2008 Sheriff’s Salary Contract for $73,000 seconded by Council Member Kaiser. Motion approved unanimously.
Sheriff Grills expressed his concern to the Council Members about the $6,000 that he felt that he had not gotten for 2007. Council Member Smith & Peetz addressed this issue with Sheriff Grills. After a long discussion Sheriff Grills stated that he is willing to accept the $73,000 for the Sheriff’s Salary for 2008.
Attorney Comer stated that the Commissioners went into session at 7:30PM due to being recessed from the Commissioners afternoon meeting.
Commissioner Folz made a motion to accept the contract for the Ripley County Sheriff’s Salary for 2008 seconded by Council Member Nickell. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Armbrecht made a motion to approve the $136,554.67 encumbrances for 2007 to 2008 seconded by Council Member Simon. Motion approved unanimously.
Commissioner Folz advised the Council Members that the Vernon Forks Water District has been approved and board members need to be appointed (1 member from Council, 1 member from Commissioner and 1 member Council & Commissioners).Folz suggested Jeff Volz from the Osgood area and Mike Vonderheide from the Batesville area. Commissioner Nickell made a motion to appoint Chuck Folz as Commissioner’s appointment to the Vernon Fork Water Board for 2008 seconded by Commissioner Reiners. Motion approved unanimously.
Commissioner Folz made a motion to appoint Jeff Volz to the Vernon Forks Water District Board for 2008 seconded by Commissioner Nickell. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Peetz made a motion to support the Commissioners appointment of Jeff Volz as the joint appointment for Council & Commissioner to the Vernon Forks Water District Board seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Kaiser made a motion to appoint Mike Vonderheide to the Vernon Forks Water District for 2008 seconded by Council Member Smith. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Member Simon made a motion to appoint George Bultman to (replaces Douglas Thayer) the Ripley County Park & Recreation Board for 2008 seconded by Council Member Peetz. Motion approved unanimously.
Council Members received the Ripley County Department of Parks and Recreation Show Mobile 2007 Reports.
Council Member Dunbar discussed the meeting schedule for 2008 and decided to have the first Council Meeting in 2008 on Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 at 7:00PM and will decide on dates for the 2008 Council meetings.
Bill Dramann had a public comment concerning the purchase of a vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department 2001/ with payment being paid on March 18th, of 2002 for $30,430 for a 2001 Ford Expedition, out of the Law Enforcement Fund.
Scott Huffman, EMS Director updated the Council Members and the Commissioners on the dispatches and runs to date. Huffman advised that they average 5 five runs a day at an increase of 9%.
Council Member Smith made a motion to adjourn until the next meeting on Tuesday, January 22nd @ 7:00PM seconded by Council Member Kaiser. Motion approved unanimously.