Gibson County Board of Commissioners 8-21-2012******************************************************************************
Gibson County Board of Commissioners
Regular Session
August 21, 2012
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The Gibson County Board of Commissioners met on August 21, 2012, at 6:30 PM at the North Annex Meeting Room.
Members Present: Gerald Bledsoe, President,
Bob Townsend, Commissioner, Kay Vore, Administrative Assistant, Jim McDonald, County Attorney and C.T. Montgomery, County Auditor. Alan Douglas, VP was absent.
The Pledge of Allegiance
to the Flag was recited and led by Gerald Bledsoe.
Minutes: The minutes from August 7, 2012 meeting were read and approved through a motion by Bob Townsend and seconded by Gerald
Bledsoe. Motion passed 2-0.
Claims:
County General $ 73,870.57
Courts $ 11,646.86
Highway $ 90,396.83
Sheriff $ 37,143.97
Payroll (8-10-2012) $284,346.91
Payroll (8-24-2012) $270,2
00.58
Bob Townsend made a motion to approve the claims and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion passed 2-0.
Department Reports:
EMS Dan Alvey gave his report and asked for $63,260.57
in write offs. Bob Townsend made a motion to approve the request for write offs. Gerald Bledsoe seconded and the motion passed 2-0. Gerald Bledsoe commented that the EMS has had extremely
bad luck with three of the ambulances in repairs and the inability to get them repaired and he knows the priority is a reliable vehicle the ambulance service can count on. He therefore
made a motion to amend the EDIT budget for 2012 and add $130,000.00 for a new ambulance. Bob Townsend seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0.
Jim Deffendall representing the
fire chiefs in Gibson County recommended to commissioners that the burn ban and fireworks ban stay in effect until September 4, 2012. He also asked that the commissioners permit recreational
burning (barbeques, etc.) and that the burning area does not exceed 42” and must have water available to control the fire. Bob Townsend made a motion to follow Jim Deffendall’s recommendation.
Gerald Bledsoe seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0.
John Umpleby informed the commissioners that Bridge #17 opened up today and is in service. He also offered an amendment
to the construction of Bridge #235. The amendment will incorporate 150 feet of approach to the bridge. This will help keep the roadway above water during the flooding process and allow
traffic to get to the bridge and cross it. The new addition of the approach will increase the cost of the bridge project because of having to replace a culvert, move utilities and purchasing
additional easements. INDOT will help fund the bridge on an 80-20 basis if they approve the plans. INDOT has approved the proposed plan. The counties cost will increase by $50,000.00.
Bob Townsend moved to approve the proposed amendment to the prior plan and Gerald Bledsoe seconded the motion. The motion passed 2-0.
Highway Department Superintendent Jerry Heldt
informed county commissioners that Peabody Coal wants to pave a section of CR 725E north of Highway 64 from the railroad tracks to the Francisco Underground mine entrance. They also
asked for the right to exceed weight limits on a portion of CR 675E which commences with CR 450S and runs north 1,050 Feet and a portion CR 450S, which commences at the intersection
with CR 675E and runs east 5,600 Feet. They also need 2.25 miles of CR 550E south of Highway 64. They will be responsible for the maintenance of said portions for a period of five
years. Bob Townsend made a motion to approve the requests. The motion was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe and the motion passed 2-0.
Health Department Jennifer Tuley presented the commissioners
with a contract for administering the Bio-Terrorism grant. Bob Townsend made a motion to approve the contract. Gerald Bledsoe seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0.
A proposal
to replace the present internet service with a higher grade of service and speed was discussed. Insight provided the commissioners with a contract to service the courthouse, North Annex
and the Sheriff’s office. There would be an initial cost of an installation fee of $500.00 and a monthly fee of $2,150.00 for five years. Bob Townsend made a motion to approve
the contract. Gerald Bledsoe seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0. Gerald Bledsoe asked County Attorney Jim McDonald to write a termination letter to the current internet
provider SIT-CO.
Treasurer Mary Key asked commissioners to approve a contract with SRI, Inc. Many taxpayers have asked to have their tax statements emailed to them. This year
congress has approved emailed tax statements if approved by commissioners. SRI will provide the service and manage the email database. Money can be saved by this process by reduced
labor costs, mailing costs and tax statements can be paid by credit card via the internet. Gerald Bledsoe stated that he wanted Alan Douglas to look at the contract and have the ability
to ask questions before they approve the request.
Sheriff Ballard has had a request for a speed limit sign on CR 325W next to State Highway 168 and CR 800 S. Bob Townsend made a
motion to approve the request. Gerald Bledsoe seconded the motion and the motion passed 2-0.
Jim Deffendall presented Thank you letters to the county agencies from the Oakland City
Mayor for the support they provided after the storm in Oakland City.
Bob Townsend made a motion to adjourn and was seconded by Gerald Bledsoe. Motion passed 2-0.
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Gerald Bledsoe, President Bob Townsend, Commissioner
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ATTEST: C.T. Montgomery, Auditor