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Read comments (21)On Monday, the Greene County Council approved additional appropriation for the county sheriff's department in the amount of $50,000 to cover fuel cost above the budget. The sheriff also received approval for $40,000 in additional appropriations for medical expenses.
Speaking of the fuel expense, Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce told the council members, "I am at the point where I owe and I don't have the money to pay."
Pierce has told the council that his department has taken steps to conserve fuel, but the natural of their operation requires vehicles to be on the road patrolling.
He has issued department directives that eliminate personal use of the take-home department vehicles and also calls for his deputies to conserve fuel when possible.
The situation with medical expenses incurred by inmates is also disturbing to the sheriff's budget.
He called the medical costs "outrageous."
Pierce explained that the jail continues to run at or over capacity -- a situation that has been consistent since January.
Capacity of the jail is 74 inmates.
Last month, when Pierce made the original request, he pointed out that pre-existing medical conditions of the inmates -- many brought on by drug-related abuse -- are the county's responsibility when they are incarcerated.
The money to pay for the medical costs additional appropriation will come from the Community Corrections Fund budget -- which is generated by inmate user fees, not tax dollars, he stressed.
The sheriff was also given approval for an additional appropriation totaling about $16,000 to purchase new digital recording for the telephone system at the jail.
One half of the cost will come from the Community Corrections Fund and one half will be gleaned from the E-911 Fund, Pierce said.
Greene County Ambulance Service Director David Doane was given permission to advertise for an additional appropriation to cover $18,000 in fuel costs and $13,000 in additional medical supply expenses.
Doane explained that the Ambulance Service has enjoyed a 15 percent increase in transfers this year, which he said ranges between 600 to 800 more runs. But with the increase in runs is a hike in the costs involved in making those runs possible.
The ambulance service director pointed out that the cost per gallon of fuel is up $1.61 since last year, which has compounded the budget problems.
The council approved a request from the ambulance service for an additional appropriation of $11,000 for vehicle repairs.
Greene Superior Court Judge J. David Holt also addressed the council and asked for an $4,000 additional appropriation in the pauper defendant's fees -- non-contracted -- budget.
The veteran judge said his court has had six jury trials since April and four of those are currently in the appeals court stage (State vs. Matt Hayes, State vs. Levi Moore, State vs. Anthony "Tony" Neibrugge, State vs. Benjamin Brown).
"These are cases that we are going to need to pay the state Public Defender," Judge Holt said and he added, "It's possible the $4,000 won't cover it."
Holt was also given permission to advertise the $4,000 additional appropriation.
The judge also received permission to advertise for a $600 additional appropriation to cover the longevity pay for the Alcohol and Drug Services executive director.
The council gave the county coroner permission to advertise for a $4,800 additional appropriation for pathology expense to finish out the calendar year.
Coroner's administrative assistant Anne Gainey pointed out that her office has just $3,400 left in its autopsy account and has three unpaid bills for autopsies.
The account had $10,000 appropriated for the year, but with eight autopsies performed in the first eight months of 2008, the fund is running very low.
Gainey said an autopsy traditionally costs the county about $1,200.
The council will take final action on all of the advertised additional appropriations at its next regular meeting on Sept. 29.
In other action, the council unanimously voted to table final action on a request for an appropriation from the Reassessment Fund to pay for reassessment and trending work for the next three years.
Last month, the council agreed to advertise for the cost of the first of the three years of the contract with Tyler Technologies, Inc. The council had thought the commissioners would take final action on the contact before the additional appropriation was brought back to them for final approval.
However, the commissioners have not yet decided whether they will approve the contact. Debate surfaced in two recent commissioner's meetings because only one bid was received on the project.
The three-year reassessing/trend project amounts to $635,600 -- with $208,300 earmarked for the year 2008, $217,900 for 2009 and $227,400 for the year 2010.
The commissioners are expected to re-visit the Tyler Technologies contract at its next meeting Sept. 2, according to county auditor David Bailey.
In other action taken Monday, the council:
* Approved an additional appropriation for $30,000 to cover legal expenses in the commissioner's budget.
* Amended the salary ordinance to create an additional third deputy position in the assessor's office to ease the work load that has been associated with the elimination of the township assessor duties on July 1. The money to cover the additional expenses will come from the 2008 budget of the Stockton Township Assessor.
* Approved a resolution and an appropriation in the commissioner's budget of $10,000 to pay a settlement to the Bill Henry family for damages done to their building when the old William's Hotel structure in Worthington was demolished.
* Agreed to advertise for an additional appropriation of $1,285 for the purchase of an HP-4700 color printer for the auditor's office. The printer will be used to print plat maps.
* Heard from resident Sandra Miles, who complimented the county ambulance service for its operation.
* Learned that the annual budget hearings will be conducted Sept. 2-5 in the commissioner's meeting room (third floor) of the county courthouse in Bloomfield.
I agree wholeheartedly if they are willing to jump in and help. If not, we still have to move toward the future without them involved!
SEAL, with all due respect, the reason many people like Ken believe, think, and spew the way they do is because they feel a sense of being left out. When they feel that, they disconnect from the conversation. They unplug themselves.
What we need is for people like Ken, who believe as he does, to begin attending events like the Open Houses for the County Comp Plan, to offer suggestions. The most important thing is for people to READ the documents and understand what is going on. No one should be disincluded because this is about everyone in the county, not just the few who have volunteered to participate on the committee.
Look, I understand why people get upset about land use planning. Many places have created complex, oppressive zoning. The entire purpose of the Comp Plan is for people to get involved and state specifically what they want and don't want.
Like America, Greene County is at a critical crossroads now. Either we protect ourselves and our land, or be willing to accept whatever is done to us by corporations, franchises, and entrepreneurs whose goals are often very different from our own.
If people are willing to come to the table to talk, the land use planning (down the road) could be minimal enough not to infringe on people's ownership but strong enough to protect us all.
It is far past time that Greene County begin working together, Linton, Jasonville, Worthington, Bloomfield, Lyons, Solsberry etc. toward the marketability and growth of this area.
We have a lot to offer anyone, from good schools to good ground for manufacturing plants to large wetlands, prime hunting and fishing spots.
Market the things we do have right now and work for marketing futuristic things too, look at the vast empty areas that can be used for alternative fuel refineries etc. Look forward and build a marketing plan for both the present and future!
WE ALL MUST WORK TOGETHER OR WE WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE NOW! WE CANNOT LET PEOPLE LIKE KEN DESTROY WHAT WE HAVE. Lets ignore them and move on if they are unwilling to listen and or change their minds even when presented the truth!
keninman, it would be helpful to simply remove the clutter, wash the windows, and if possible, slap a coat of paint on the building. Really, it is an eyesore. Yes there are other properties in town that are similar, but as the saying goes, two wrongs don't make a right.
As for your negativity regarding economic development, I believe I have suggested before that you attend some of the planning meetings, LISTEN, and OFFER INPUT. Much of what you have written on this site is based upon old news or is no longer factually based. Giving an opinion is great, but perhaps you could get the facts before you lead other readers down the primrose path to misinformation.
I don't think anyone is delusional that we're going to hook the next ginormous car plant. In fact, the focus of economic development has been planning effectively, supporting and encouraging entrepreneurship, and sustaining and supporting the businesses already in place (i.e. the Keep the Green in Greene Campaign, and the Chambers of Commerce in the county working together to support and enhance our local businesses.)
Make no mistake. . . there are already franchises looking to locate at the exits off of I-69. If we get no development, we're missing out on county revenue. If we get unwanted development, we risk losing the wonderful rural nature of the county, and if we get overdevelopment, we risk competing interests, farmers' lands being encroached upon, and a whole host of other undesirables.
Please consider these points before you poopoo every positive idea that comes along. I want the natural assets of this county protected. I want my land protected, and I would love to see this county prosper. The more development we have, the lower our property taxes will be and the better we can support our schools.
Let me restate my comment by saying that I meant Pope's just sold to Bender Lumber not long ago. So, the sale was one thing, the move to the former Pope's location was another. Now, the former Rice's property is empty, sure, but all of this buying, selling, and moving around has all occurred in less than a year's time
keninman, the old state highway garage that you state is unused was just sold by the city to a local businessman. The price was just agreed to a month or two ago, how I recall. It may have not even changed hands yet at the courthouse. I'm not sure. I am confident this new owner will put it into good use and make a good investment out of it, to the betterment of Linton too.
"The old Rice Lumber building stands empty and unsellable beside mine" is also debatable. It just sold to Bender Lumber a few months ago. I have no idea what the intentions are, although it might make for a good landscaping business storefront. I could see flowers, shrubs, bulk mulch, etc. being sold from there.
To JimmieJoeJingle -- FYI the building I am a co owner in is structurally fine other than damage to it's false front. It may not be pretty but it's not going to fall down any time soon. There are many other buildings in this area that are disrepair also because there is not much of a local economy. The old Rice Lumber building stands empty and unsellable beside mine, the old State Hyw. Garage is unused and there will be more. Thanks to the property tax people that old building costs more than $1200 per year. Not all of us can be wealthy lawyers or have unlimited time but I will patch the building up as soon as I can.
To Greenee: You at least present a reasonable argument but I doubt there will ever be much more than a truck stop on our exit off I-69. Somehow I doubt giving a bunch of bureaucrats control of our property will help us attract the next Toyota or Honda manufacturing operation.
To: jibber, First let me address the Supreme Court issue by reminding you that past courts found slavery and Jim Crow laws and constitutional but that still don't make it right. As far as protecting property values I would argue that it is about protecting wealthy people's McMansion's property value and has little to nothing to do with protecting average, work a day joes property.
You should all have the guts to tell the people of Greene County what exactly you really want to develop, build and protect. I myself will do my best to stop this infringement on personal liberty and costly new addition to county government and there are many many more just like me.
With all due respect, keninman, Ben Franklin & Ronald Reagan would have taken more pride in their real estate than that building that's falling in by the former Bender Lumber that you own. C'mon! I certainly understand why you don't want any enforcement of any codes because that place would be condemned for sure! It's a hazard and an eyesore, not something very productive towards economic development that you also seem to be against. What is it that would make you happy?
As someone who is a professional land use planner by trade, I respectfully must state that Mr. Inman does not understand planning and zoning. A Comprehensive Plan for the County must be in place prior to the implementation of zoning. The Comp Plan (for short) is a public process where every, I mean, every property owner is afforded the chance to voice their thoughts on the Plan that affects their property and as it affects development in the county. Zoning is derived from that Plan and is implemented to PROTECT property rights from various issues including properties that have uses that detoriate adjacent property values. One case you must consider if you do not want zoning is the fact that an Adult Video or Magazine store has no limits currently where to build or open a store in your county. Imagine this type of store at a brand new exit off of I-69 in SE Greene County. This county would be known as the county to get adult materials, like Marshall, Illinois!!!! They found out too late.
Zoning land can prevent such uses that aren't reflective of community values, or at least requires public due process which allows you, the citizens, to voice opposition to such vile uses. You don't have that ability without zoning. Is that a reason enough for zoning? I believe it is. In fact, Jackson County Indiana is going through this very dilemma as I write this.
Oh, one final comment: Zoning laws have stood every Supreme Court challenge ever brought before it; so zoning does not reduce property rights in any way. You wanted an intelligent comment on zoning, well, there you have it.
Firstly, I would like everyone who is opposed to planning for the future of this county to seriously make intelligent, well-thought-out recommendations about how to protect our rural county and all of its natural beauty. If you can come up with a plan that protects me and my property from people who don't care about it, then by all means, I'm listening and will consider every meaningful suggestion.
The problem is, I have not heard anything except rantings from keninman and a few others who think the way he does, just not to have any protection at all. And rather than viewing it as a protection, they have a seeming victim complex that land use planning is being "done to them".
Here's what I don't want. We know that I-69 is definitely coming through the eastern part of the county. Think about every exit off a major interstate that you've ever stopped at. Have you ever driven off the interstate needing gas, but when you exit, there's nothing but weeds and an abandoned gas station? That's because there was no planning. That county received no revenue from the addition of a highway exit. That's a shame.
Then there's the other problem -- whomever, whatever, and however some company is already looking at Greene County. With a north/south corridor finally in place, the entire state will become more developed. We NEED TO PROTECT OUR RURAL COUNTY!!! As it stands now, anything and anyone can build off that interstate. We have absolutely NO CONTROL or INPUT about what goes in at that exit. Is that what people want? Do you really want a bunch of people coming in and plopping whatever at that exit>? I don't. Some of those entities could be detrimental to farmers, our natural rural habitat, the Goosepond, and all of the other beautiful natural things affected by irresponsible business owners.
Without planning and land use controls (which are VERY differnt in a rural county than in a metropolitan area) we will have to accept whatever comes along. I'd like to leave a better situation for our youth and I personally don't want to breath pollution from some dirty company.
"Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."........Benjamin Franklin
"There are no easy answers' but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.".......Ronald Reagan
Many folks are have feelings hopelessness and the ranks are growing larger as each day passes!
Should read:
Many folks are having feelings of hopelessness and the ranks are growing larger as each day passes!
This is not news. Fuel, medical, legal costs and many other costs plague nearly everyones budget if they can afford them at all. The government can cook the books any way they like but lets face it folks, we are definitely in a recession. Do you feel it? I certainly do!
In my opinion it began to form right after 9/11. President Bush's choices played right into the intentions of the Al Quaida network. By the president choosing to go war expending not only many lives but also billions of dollars monthly. This is exactly what the Al Quaida network wanted and our president so gracefully chose to provide them. You can't spend nearly $3 trillion on a failed war abroad and not feel the pain at home.
This accompanied by the mortgage crisis and here we are. I know these are not the sole causes of our current economy but they are indeed major contributers.
In this day it is very easy to become disgruntled and justifiably so. Many folks are have feelings hopelessness and the ranks are growing larger as each day passes!
(End rant)
good name!
The Linton mayor said Zoning is very simple... that was all he said no explanation or any detail at all. Any type is giving up some individual property rights and depending what type can involve employing engineers and building inspectors, building permits and fees. Plan submission and approval for home improvements ect... Until someone explains the limits of this "Zoning" I can't agree to it without this knowledge and neither should any citizen that has a brain! The lack of Zoning has nothing to do with business growth in Greene county.
KEN: Since you really dont like where you live and work, you constantly complain... evidence of all of your recent posts, you may want to join groups who believe like you... like the "Branch Davidian"
Your negativity about the government, your town and your county is really disgusting and disappointing.
Hum, I notice that there are not many others that comment here that are brave enough to use their real names. I also noticed that there are many who have swallowed the "kool aid" on ZONING and "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT". Wake up folks there is not going to be any "ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT" of a nature you all are desiring. Only fewer property rights more red tape and less freedom. No more will you get decent wages for unskilled labor, that era finished with the twentieth century.
I repeat again -
The county struggles to pay the bills now, we certainly do not need to be considering adding another costly layer of bureaucracy to our government. Government cannot grow the county they can only get in the way.
Sounds like Mr. Inman doesnt want Greene County to grow at all! Lets see, he doesnt want to pay taxes for services, He gripes and complains about paying anything at all, thinks he has all the answers, he doesnt want anyone to tell him what to or what not to do, hmmm, sounds like its time to move, Siberia sounds refreshing!
keninman, aren't you the owner of the building right on Hwy 54 that is falling in on itself just west of the former Bender Lumber?
Pipe dreams sometimes materialize. It seems that we hear most of the complaints from one side. Does that mean that know one else cares? Does it mean that those having pipe dreams are more considerate of others feelings? Perhaps we should put it to a vote!
We could save several bucks to run our essential services by eliminating the Economic Development Coordinator position and giving up this pipe dream of land use planning (ZONING). The county struggles to pay the bills now, we certainly do not need to be considering adding another costly layer of bureaucracy to our government. Government cannot grow the county they can only get in the way.