Gibson County Board of Commissioners 8-21-2012_exppdf***************************************************************************
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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)$270,200.58
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 Deffendalls 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 approved the proposed
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 Schatz 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 Sheriffs 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, PresidentBob Townsend, Commissioner
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ATTEST: C.T. Montgomery, Auditor