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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-14-2026 GC Council Regular & Budget Meeting MinutesGibson County Council Regular Session Meeting & 2027 Budget Department Requests July 14, 2026 at Southwest Annex Council Members present: • President Jeremy Overton • Vice President Derek McGraw • Council Member Jay Riley (absent) • Council Member Craig Schafer • Council Member Robert Schleter • Council Member Michael Stilwell • Council Member Tom Perry Also present were: • Auditor Mike Watkins • 1' Deputy Auditor Kristy York • 2nd Deputy Auditor Logan Vickers Pledge of Allegiance • The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Approval of Minutes • The Council approved the minutes as written from the June 9t' regular meeting. Acknowledgements • Clerk's report • Treasurer's report No formal action was taken on the acknowledged reports. DEPARTMENT REPORTS Sheriff Department — Presented by Sheriff Vanoven • The Sheriff advised that there are currently no deputy vacancies, four corrections vacancies, two communications vacancies, and one community corrections vacancy. • The average jail population was 96 inmates, with 31 individuals participating in home detention. • The Sheriff's Commissary Quarterly Report was emailed to the Council and acknowledged. EMS (Emergency Medical Services) — Presented by Arica Cole and AJ Aldridge • EMS presented the June operations report and advised that the department is fully staffed. • EMS advised that a five-year grant was approved; the County will be responsible for insurance only, and the position will remain contingent upon grant funding. • EMS advised that internet upgrades are currently in progress. Health Department — Presented by Administrator Shade • The Health Department provided notice of a parasite identified in the area and recommended that fruits, vegetables, and hands be washed thoroughly. RDC Update - Presented by Councilman Schleter • The RDC discussed the proposed new TIF district and may consider action at the August 10 meeting. County Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 1 • Members stated their desire that a compromise be reached. OLD BUSINESS Jail Demolition Project Presented by Owners' Representative, George Ballard, and a Garmong Representative • Garmong opened bids for Phase H of the jail demolition project. They received seven bid packages and 25 bidders. • The City of Princeton has granted approval to close Emerson Street for this demolition. • Authorization for funding was requested. • The total for the turnkey project is $1.3 million. • The Council will review the budget to determine the appropriate funding source. Council Member McGraw made a motion to commit to the Phase I and Phase II dollar amount pending the August advertisement, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The motion carried 6-0. Wheel & Excise Tax — Presented by Commissioner Lewis • Commissioner Lewis addressed local road funding concerns related to the suspension of the gas tax. • County Engineer Holden requested that the Council consider increasing the wheel and excise tax because local road funding is being shifted to the County by the State. NEW BUSINESS Prosecutor IV-D Attorney — Presented by Prosecutor Cochran • Prosecutor Cochran requested restructuring of the Prosecutor's Office due to attorney turnover and continued difficulty recruiting for the IV-D Deputy Prosecutor position. • He proposed eliminating one Deputy Prosecutor position and increasing the pay of the IV-D Deputy Prosecutor from $83,320 to $120,000 to support recruitment and retention. • Prosecutor Cochran stated that the position is urgent, the caseload is manageable, and the proposed restructuring would not result in a disservice to taxpayers. • President Overton asked whether the increase could create a leapfrog effect among other attorney positions. Prosecutor Cochran explained that the IV-D Deputy Prosecutor position is full-time and reimbursed, while the other attorney positions are part-time. • A salary ordinance amendment has not been completed, and a special meeting may be called before the July 21 budget meeting. • Council Member Schleter expressed concern regarding whether three attorneys could adequately manage the office caseload. Prosecutor Cochran hopes the restructuring will help secure a long- term attorney rather than a short-term employee. Council Member Stilwell made a motion to approve the Prosecutor's Office restructuring by removing the Deputy Prosecutor position and increasing the IV-D Deputy Prosecutor's pay, seconded by Council Member Perry. The motion carried 6-0. Council Member McGraw made a motion to remove the Deputy Prosecutor position from the Prosecutor's budget, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The motion carried 6-0. Gibson County Volunteer Services for Animals — Presented by Carrie Tichenor • Gibson County Volunteer Services for Animals presented concerns regarding necessary changes at Animal Services. • The organization stated that the new shelter is not yet complete and requested immediate County action prior to relocating operations. County Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 Salary Ordinance Amendment #3 — Presented by Logan Vickers • Logan Vickers presented Salary Ordinance Amendment #3 as a housekeeping correction to amend a transposed number from $429 to $249. Council Member McGraw made a motion to approve Salary Ordinance Amendment #3, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The motion carried 6-0. Transfers Requested 9114 Pathways to Freedom Grant From 11300 Part -Time To 35000 Contract Services $62,400.00 2502 Prosecutor Deferral User Fee From 40102 Office Machines To 30507 Laserfiche $4,505.00 1200 Supplemental Public Def Services From 12102 Trial Attorney Fees To 33306 Contract Attorneys 30,000.00 1176 Motor Vehicle Highway From 36101 Garage & Service Bldg. To 44201 Computer Software $948.48 1000 General Jail From 11300 Part -Time T#07 To 12303 Overtime $3,000.00 1000 General Sheriff From 31302 Returning Felons T#08 ($6,600.00) From 36300 Dues & Subscriptions ($5,000.00) To 13400 UHP Part-time $11,600.00 Council Member McGraw made a motion to approve the requested transfers, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The motion carried 6-0. Additional Appropriations - Request to Advertise 8115 HAVA Dormant Fund 22000 Supplies $2.00 4905 GAL/CASA Sup Court Dormant Fund 44101 Equipment $5,184.00 4105 Gibson County Safe Kids 22000 Supplies $3.00 4015 Collection Agency Fees 22000 Supplies $1,681.00 2502 Prosecutor Deferral User Fees 40102 Office Machines $10,805.00 1200 Supplemental Public Defender's 30107 Building Construction $25 000.00 Council Member McGraw made a motion to approve the request to advertise the additional appropriations, seconded by Council Member Schleter. The motion carried 6-0. Additional Appropriations - Resolution 8903 COVID-19 Response 93.354 22000 Supplies $1,523.00 4106 Health Fair Donations 22000 Supplies $1 894.00 4104 Pocket Of Need Donations 22000 Supplies $129.00 4013 169 Projects 33003 Professional Services $1,900.00 4011 Sheriffs Fleet Maintenance 31406 Vehicle Maintenance & Repairs $60 000.00 1220 County Offender Transportation 31509 Juvenile Transport $2,500.00 1220 County Offender Transportation 3 15 10 Adult Transport $2 500.00 1176 MVH 44107 Machinery & Equipment $105,001.00 Council Member McGraw made a motion to approve the additional appropriations resolution, seconded by Council Member Stilwell. The motion carried 6-0. The Council will take a five-minute break before going into the budget meeting. County Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 Reconvened for 2027 Budget Meeting Department Requests • Commissioners requested a new HR position, and the Council on Aging submitted a request for a $5,000 increase in 2027. o Treasurer O'Neal responded to the HR position and stated that there had been department meetings regarding this position, and it was unanimously opposed as the elected officials wish to hire their own departmental employees. o She also expressed concern over the spring tax collections and informed Council that she feels fall collections will run short due to deduction increases. • Animal Services provided documentation explaining the significant increase in the Animal Services budget request. Most of the increase is due to a different pay schedule; they are requesting a full-time director. • Highway Department requested an increase in paving & equipment within the EDIT fund, including the purchase of two dump trucks. The department also plans to add a building extension to protect equipment from weather exposure. • The 1135 Cumulative Bridge fund has requested $1,000 more for stipends so they can pay employees that receive their CDL. They increased their rental equipment line because they would like to rent equipment before purchasing to ensure it will be worth the expense. The other contractual line is increased due to more bridge replacements. • Fund 1169 Local Road & Streets increased the stone/gravel, but they have the cash available and plan to do stabilization projects on gravel roads, which costs approximately $12,000 per mile. • Fund 1176 Motor Vehicle Highway has small changes. They plan to start doing more certifications through the Road School conference. They added an awards/recognition line to provide incentives. They also increased their bituminous line to do more road maintenance. They want to move to reflective shirts instead of the hot vests and this increased their safety supply line. Engineer Holden feels they need a new camera system as the old system does not work. Computer Software increased because of their software systems, but he feels it is worth the increase as the software proves itself. • Clerk added a line in her budget so they can accumulate money to purchase replacement election equipment. She would like to add $50,000 per year to increase the line to $500,000. • Sheriff needs new portable radios. He also requests a new position for the new building, a Maintenance Technician. He also requests a Mental Health Counselor as a new position; he feels this position is important and needed. He would like to add a Captain position, which would make two Captains but feels he could reduce a Sergeant to gain a Captain. • Health has decreased their vaccines because they have partnered with VaxCare as a cost savings plan. They also request a change in the requested budget that was submitted. They added a Food Inspector position, but request it be increased to $31,200. This increase is due to the increase in food trucks, plus death certificate distribution has grown since the state changed this process. The food inspector line will be a contracted position that she hopes to pay $25 per hour without any benefits. • Public Defender added one Attorney in 2026 and made Attorney Spindler a part-time Contract Attorney without any benefits. This will continue into 2027, except everyone will shift to the General Fund, rather than the Supplemental Public Defender 1200 Fund. The Public Defender, General Fund expenses are reimbursed at 40% by the state. The state has increased the Attorney's pay to $120 per hour, but she always looks for the cheapest way to pay these Attorneys. The Supplemental Public Defender Fund cannot be used to pay ongoing salaries, only one-time expenses. It can be used to pay a new salary/benefit for one year. She tries to use the Supplemental Fund as much as possible. • EMS is asking for additional crews as their runs have increased 11%. The cost of $722,000 would include six additional employees, with $2 per hour per employee, plus benefits. They County Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 4 asked Council to consider a minimum addition of a four -crew shift. Councilman Overton asked if they considered overtime, and they did. Dr. Gilbert talked to Council about this change to EMS. • Courthouse requested an increase in the Director's pay. He explained to the Council that he oversees thirteen different buildings, tries to perform the maintenance rather than outsourcing other contractors, and he is always on call. He presented a listing of compatible salaries to the Council. • Magistrate requested standard raises for his department rather than the amounts submitted through the budget department request. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by the Council at 12:00 p.m. Minutes from July 14, 2026 regular meeting. Z�� al e� - eremy Overton, President Tom Perry, Council ember Craig c er, Council Member Michael Stilwell, Council Member Attest: . Michael A. Watkins, Gibson County Auditor County Council Meeting Minutes July 14, 2026 erek McGraw, Vice -President L"4 "I y Rile , Council Me ber Ilia, Robert Schleter, Council Member ee/e�s[aBSO {!rrli� ,ep A�1 8oPsp�s� p8!!8!1{11110