The Decatur County Council held their monthly meeting on November 19, 2024, at 9 am.
The meeting began with the approval of the October meeting minutes.
Dottie Robbins, Recorder requested approval of the Perpetuation Ordinance, which allows her to pay part time staff out of her perpetuation fund. This was unanimously approved.
Zach Wirrig, City of Greensburg Director Public Projects, came to the council to discuss the parking lot at Rebekah Park. This was a follow up to the conversation that occurred during the April Commissioner meeting. Zach went to the commissioner’s meeting to discuss the parking lot so that they could move forward with constructing the parking lot, which will include 37 parking spaces with landscaping and curbing. The city has received the bids back and the lowest bid was presented to the city from O’Mara for $195,000. The city included the parking lot into their scope of work. The commissioners voiced concern over the proposed lot, only being 37 spaces, at the April meeting they voted on the 75-80 parking space plan. The council members felt that this was to small of a parking lot and were upset that they weren’t seeing what they agreed to originally. The council members asked the same question as the commissioners, which was if curbing and landscaping would be required by the city. Zach told the commissioners that they would be required, however if they wanted to, they could go to the city and request a change. The council also voiced concern that the number of trees and landscaping would be an increased cost as well as upkeeping that landscaping would be an additional burden placed on the Parks Dept. Zach stressed that they need to have something under contract before the December City meeting. If the county elects not to move forward with the parking lot, then this will change who the lowest bidder on the trail project is. The council agreed with the commissioners and stated that they would like to see the Unified Development Ordinance that outlines what vegetation and curbing is required and that they would like to see a larger parking lot.
Sheriff Meyerrose came to the council with the Enterprise representative to provide information on the enterprise contract that the commissioners approved. This would allow the Sheriff’s department to begin leasing vehicles instead of purchasing them. This will create savings for the county and reduce the amount of time managing and tracking the fleet. The Council all agreed that this was a great idea. Sheriff Meyerrose also received approval to spend out of his Detention Overtime fund to cover additional Road Deputy overtime expenses. He stated that his 2024 Road Deputy overtime budget was depleted.
Todd Houk. Highway Superintendent received approval to move forward on the NOFA grant for work to be completed on Bridge 106.
Abby Harry, Court Services, came to the council to receive approval to apply for a $15,000 grant from the Community Action Coalition. These funds will be used to pay for urine drug screens, equipment for employees, portable breathalyzers, and additional items that are not purchased or included in their normal budget. The council voted to approve Jeremiah to move forward and apply for the grant.
When the council began to discuss additionals they spoke about the Solar Eclipse and council members were concerned that the ledger doesn’t match what was previously told to the Council and the Fair Committee. The Power of the Past was given a check for $7,844.91 in July. It was stated that this was the amount of money received for the Solar Eclipse above what the expenses were. However today it was presented to Council that they had expenses that needed approved. Danny Peters said, “Several people in this room have been a part of the fair committee and have worked to build money for the fair. I don’t think it should be our responsibility to pay this additional.” The council members voted to approve all additionals except the additionals related to the Solar Eclipse.
The Parks Department came to the council and requested a transfer of funds to go from what was their pool account to be able to be used as cash towards the turf project. Several council members said that they were worried about the Parks Department spending their cash and cutting themselves short. After further discussion Deanna Burkart, Kenny Hooten, and Melanie Nobbe said that they would look at increasing the ARPA’s share of the project so that they would not have to take the money out of their own budget. The council approved all transfer requests except the request from the Parks Department that was tied to the cash transfer.
Danny Peters asked the ARPA representatives if they had allocated any funding towards the READI 2.0 Fairground Project. The answer given was that they have so far not allocated any funding as they haven’t been asked. Danny Peters was invited to the ARPA meeting on Monday to discuss this request. Danny said he would like to see a quarter of a million given to the fairground project. He was told that they probably couldn’t do that much but was asked to attend the meeting to discuss.
The council discussed board appointments for 2025. The meeting was adjourned.
