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Event transcript
With this and. 00:00:05
Denise is remotely listening and hopefully she'll be able to join us. 00:00:07
From her end momentarily. So you'll please rise. Join me with the Pledge of Allegiance, please. 00:00:12
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and. 00:00:19
Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:00:24
All right, we only have a few items on the agenda, but they're. 00:00:33
Kind of meaty in some cases. I do want to start by seeking approval of our minutes from the July 19th joint meeting. Motion 00:00:37
approved. 00:00:42
All right. Motion is second. All in favor, aye. Any opposed? 00:00:48
OK. So if it's OK with the Baker Tilly representative, we're again trying to get Denise on so she has both the ability to listen 00:00:54
and speak. We'll start with the Chase building update In brief, that timeline continues to move forward. Rick, if there's anything 00:01:00
really important I need to add to to this, but in brief, you know we are are exploring the financing issues on that, finalizing 00:01:07
them I should say, rather than exploring. 00:01:14
And seeing whether or not we're going to pursue a bond anticipatory note to Bridges to the actual bonding of that but. 00:01:21
We have our architectural representatives going over that building and actually taking a second survey among the administrative 00:01:30
staff that would be moving over to the building. And we have our representatives from Envoy also going over the floor plans and 00:01:36
and seeing who's going to move first. 00:01:42
The goal at this point in time, the intention is to close on that property by the end of November and first quarter of 2025. The 00:01:50
third floor over there will be vacated and we can begin to move some folks over. So Rick, did I hit all the highlights on that? 00:01:58
OK, we got the thumbs up on that, which is good. OK, so Denise is now alive, is that correct, Denise? 00:02:06
Yes, I'm here. Apparently the audio is not working, but that's OK. 00:02:14
OK, but you can hear us through a cell phone at this moment. 00:02:20
No, I am on my laptop and I can see you all. 00:02:24
But the audio isn't. We can hear you, so are you able to hear us? 00:02:29
Yes, sounds like OK, so that was number 2 on the agenda. We'll go back up to one and hear from our Baker Tilly representative. 00:02:36
Think is Paige with this today this. 00:02:41
Yes, I'm here. OK, you are up. 00:02:48
OK, I'm going to share my screen. 00:02:51
Because we have an updated budget summary for you. 00:02:54
And hopefully you have a copy also in front of you. This is dated August 26th. So yesterday I got some additional information from 00:02:59
the auditor's office. In addition, we did update your local income tax numbers. Unfortunately, your local income tax certified 00:03:06
shares did go down a little bit. 00:03:12
Umm it looks like it went down about 300,000 so about 4.6% but your edit shares did go up. 00:03:20
So and then there were some adjustments to the budget. So let's just look at the summary of the 2025 budget. Looking at the 00:03:31
general fund, we are estimating receipts of 22.6 million roughly disbursements right now as they stand is 24,000,500 and 70,887. 00:03:41
So this budget can be funded, but Please note, and that's in column E and that highlighted in yellow you would be using. 00:03:51
$2,000,000 of cash reserves to fund this budget if you should spend the entire budget. 00:04:01
That would take you down to a cash reserve of 6.2%. That is lower than the recommended minimum floor, which is 15%. It does look 00:04:08
better since the last time that we we did this update. So it's, it's getting better. We're just still, we just have that cash flow 00:04:17
deficit. Again, you can fund the budget, but just be advised that you would be utilizing cash reserves upon this project. 00:04:26
Moving on to the Cedar County economic development income tax. 00:04:36
Those revenues actually did go up a little bit for 2025 and we have the estimates right now and they're not certified, they're 00:04:41
just estimates at this point, but they should be pretty good estimates. 00:04:46
So we're looking at receipts of 4,145,000 disbursements, or at least the 2025 budget is 4.47 million. This budget as it stands now 00:04:51
can't be funded unless you don't spend all of your current year 2025 edit budget. You would need to underspend your current year 00:04:59
budget by 278,000. 00:05:08
Or reduce 2025 by 278,000 it it is showing as unfunded but again. 00:05:17
If you don't spend all of your budget this year. 00:05:25
You may be able to help to fund that. 00:05:28
Just note though too that the DLGF assumes that you'll spend 100% of your budget. Now this just doesn't happen to be one that the 00:05:30
DLGF reviews, but if there is a fund like your park fund that they do review and it shows us negative in Gateway, they will assume 00:05:37
that you're going to spend 100% of your 2024 budget. So they may cut it if you don't cut it before it gets to them. I just wanted 00:05:44
to let you know that. 00:05:51
We've got several funds that are looking good. 00:05:59
There they have positive net cash flow and their cash reserves are above the recommended minimum and that would be. 00:06:03
The local public health services fund, which is a new fund, local Word St. motor vehicle highway, motor vehicle highway restricted 00:06:13
park, non reverting, and reassessment all look pretty good. We get down to Park and Rec, which is fund #1219. That fund also is 00:06:21
showing that it can't be funded. It's pretty close. 00:06:29
There's a deficit of $22,305.00 that cannot be funded, but really? 00:06:38
A negative net cash flow is what I tend to focus on the most because that means that you're over budgeting your receipts and that 00:06:45
is by about 115,000. 00:06:50
So that one needs a little bit of work park non regarding if you're like most counties, you can only spend what you have. So 00:06:56
although you have over budgeted by almost 100,000, I'm I'm assuming that you just won't spend it if you don't get that additional 00:07:02
revenue, that's typically what happens. 00:07:07
Statewide 911 looking good, positive net cash flow, about a 25% cash reserve, so that's good. 00:07:14
Your judicial lit, your judicial local income tax, it has a positive net cash flow and the budget can't be funded. It's just that 00:07:22
cash reserve is a little concerning. It's, it's only .2%, but I mean it, it certainly can be funded and you're budgeting within 00:07:30
your receipts. Something to look at there maybe is to try to get the cash reserve up to at least 15%. 00:07:38
The next one is the LIP correctional rehabilitation facilities, that one is unfunded right now by 868,276. So that's that's 00:07:48
probably the, the biggest issue we have at this point is the amount that's unfunded there in that particular box. 00:07:59
The last two funds look good, positive net cash flow, good reserves. So that's the update that I have. I did include with the 00:08:11
schedule just since your general fund is your largest one, we did include an updated cash flow for you. 00:08:18
And we included that Community Foundation County special rate. 00:08:28
Line 11, where before that would be you would have some monies transferred out. If you look on line 33, transfer to employee 00:08:33
benefits, that would get transferred out to a fund and then that Community Foundation money would get transferred to a fund and 00:08:39
then all the benefits would get paid off of that fund. My understanding is starting in 2025, you're just going to have that 00:08:45
Community Foundation. 00:08:51
Spend rate come directly into the general fund and then all of the employee benefits listed on line 27 would be going out of that 00:08:58
fund, which is really a better way to do it. 00:09:03
And it really, you know, to Denise's point, a few meetings back is, you know, kind of restating and being able to see really what 00:09:09
is going on in this fund. So, so I like that. I think that looks good. 00:09:15
We will update your financial plan as soon as you finalize your budget budgets after you adopt, we will finalize your financial 00:09:22
plan so that you have a, a document that finalizes everything. But again, it's kind of a working, it's a work in progress. We can 00:09:30
update it whenever things come up. I know that, you know, there's a possibility of maybe reallocating some local income tax rates. 00:09:37
That's something we can push through this model to help you. 00:09:44
Planning process. 00:09:52
So that's all I had. I'm open to any questions that you might have. 00:09:54
Hey, this is John Shellenberger, Commissioner. 00:09:59
So what number did you use? Did you use any of the 2025 or did you use 2024 numbers in order to get this? 00:10:02
We use 2025 proposed budgets as they stand now. 00:10:11
OK, so this includes the sheriff's contracts? Yes, Yes, it does. 00:10:17
So. 00:10:24
I have a couple questions that you showed us the 3.5 million spin rate, that spin rate is going to be 4 million. So I mean that's 00:10:26
another half $1,000,000. I think we should get that in our estimate. 00:10:32
Sure we can. We can increase that. 00:10:40
OK, I think the auditor's office have suggested using 3.5 to be conservative. But if, if, if a consistent consensus is 4 million, 00:10:43
we can absolutely. 00:10:48
And then? 00:10:55
I'd like to stay see it stay at 35 and then if it comes in at 4. 00:10:57
Will try to boost our cash reserves. I called, I can, I can send you an e-mail. I actually talked to Linda at Community Foundation 00:11:01
and it's going to be 3.999. They've already got it calculated for 25. So I can send you that e-mail. That's Denise. That's, that's 00:11:09
what we're getting this year. That's what we're getting at the end of this year. That's not 25's number. 00:11:18
No, that's 25 minutes. 00:11:28
24 numbers are 4.1. 00:11:31
I can send you the e-mail. 00:11:34
I've reached out. 00:11:36
So. 00:11:40
The other thing that I was wondering is I was looking at the. 00:11:42
Employee benefits that are now in the general fund. 00:11:49
And the. 00:11:55
The health care. 00:11:59
For 2024. 00:12:02
Are $3.7 million. 00:12:04
And then in 2025, they go down to. 00:12:08
I think 3,000,000, is that right guys? 00:12:13
3 million was budgeted because that's what we're on track for this year. 00:12:17
Right. And my to my point exactly Danny, I think maybe we should consider. 00:12:22
The appropriating $700,000 to make our cash balance for this year look more appropriate to where it's going to come in. 00:12:29
Again, I'm not in favor of that until we settle. 00:12:44
In December, that's. 00:12:47
I'm not prepared to do that yet because. 00:12:50
We're we're estimating out what's you know. 00:12:53
How we're going to finish so well, but if you. 00:12:56
If you look even 3,000,000 is. 00:12:59
Very a very conservative number. 00:13:03
It's likely to come in based on year to date August numbers much less than that. 00:13:08
I mean, I think we're doing a really, really good job with our healthcare this year, so. 00:13:14
Anyways, a recommendation, you know, it's, it's up for whatever everybody else thinks, but it will give us a little more lead way 00:13:21
in the general fund. 00:13:27
With our ending balance cash. 00:13:34
I have a question. I I saw some blank. 00:13:38
Faces on this influx of the three and a half million from the Community Foundation Council. So if you can just explain the. 00:13:43
Origin of that one more time just. 00:13:50
That's our, that's our spin rate from. 00:13:52
What? What most people in the public consider hospital money, Right. I want to get under that on the record. Right, Right. Yeah. 00:13:57
So we still have. 00:14:00
Around $80 million invested in Community Foundation. It's their money, not ours, but we get a spend rate. 00:14:05
Of around. 00:14:12
A Max of 5% per year, so. 00:14:13
That's that's what, that's what that figure is OK. 00:14:16
And traditionally it has gone to employee. 00:14:20
To shore up that. 00:14:22
And then one other thing while while we're talking about health care, Yeah, the 1st. 00:14:25
I mean, 2024 to date has looked good, you know. 00:14:29
Pray and you hope that the rest of the year looks as good, but I'd still like to get that money that. 00:14:33
Belongs in that non reverting fund transferred over officially. 00:14:39
The whole idea was that we're going to have good years and bad years on that and. 00:14:44
So I would hate for us to not have that in the non reverting part of the fund where it belongs and then have a bad year and come 00:14:49
up against, I think we were waiting just to make sure No 23. 00:14:55
Bills were coming through and then. 00:15:01
We were going to do that. So what's the? 00:15:04
Deadline What if we go ahead and move the 700,000? 00:15:06
Into that fund now. 00:15:11
How much did we agree to put into that fund? I know we did agree to that. 00:15:18
I think the amount owed was roughly 700,000 correct on it. 00:15:23
Yeah, yeah. 00:15:29
So I don't know. Michelle is here. She thinks it was about 530. 00:15:32
2000 SO. 00:15:36
OK. 00:15:41
That would be put that on September. Yeah, you're right. I mean you never, if Michelle can get you the exact number and we can put 00:15:42
that on your September agenda to do that like let's get that in the lock box, I think. 00:15:47
I'd like to. I'd like to do that too. 00:15:55
We can put that on the agenda for September. OK. John, did you have something else for Paige? Yeah. 00:15:57
Got a couple questions. 00:16:04
The cares money is a line item in the county general, is that correct? 00:16:07
No. 00:16:15
No, it's not. It's it's all. It's in rainy day. I mean, it's in. 00:16:17
It's a rainy day in that right? 00:16:22
The CARES Act money, I think that it went to General and then it got transferred to Rainy Day. That's my recollection. Yes, I 00:16:27
believe that. 00:16:32
It's OK. 00:16:39
OK. That was my concern. OK, thank you. 00:16:46
All right, go ahead. I do. I do have one more question. So can we go back to your screenshot for one more time? It looks at the 00:16:49
cash balance at the end of 2025. 00:16:57
Or general. 00:17:06
Work. Yeah, General go back to the top on the summary, the very first. 00:17:07
So we're going to have $1.5 million still left in our general fund at the end of 2025 going into 2026. 00:17:14
Which is? It sounds good, but. 00:17:26
That really doesn't get us through the first six months until we get another distribution of taxes. Is that am I saying that 00:17:30
right? 00:17:36
Hey, yes, Denise, we can't make it through the first six months. Yeah, that's correct. And that's what all comes back to those 00:17:43
cash reserves. You know, we talk about 15% being the floor. Well, that's only 2 1/2 months of cash reserves. Really you should be 00:17:49
around 2530% so that you do have enough to make it until June. 00:17:56
This just what you were saying would only be 6%. So you're right, Denise, if it's not, it's not really enough to make it through. 00:18:03
You'd have to temporarily borrow from other funds. Well, and if that's OK to do stick a pin in that we're gonna we're gonna talk 00:18:08
about that a little bit more, repay it by the end of the year. 00:18:13
And we do have rainy day funds. 00:18:19
You can count on, I mean sitting there, but I just wanted to point out that. 00:18:21
We do still have a cash flow problem here. We need to make sure that on a go forward basis, whether that be in 2025 or in 2026 00:18:27
that our revenues match our distributions, at least match our distributions. 00:18:36
Paige, can you can you hang out for just a minute? 00:18:45
We're going to talk about some of these rates real quick. Yes, Yep, staying in Diane, can you all come up and. 00:18:48
Yeah, if you want to put. 00:18:56
Four and even 5 ahead of three on this agenda. That's fine. I mean, it's, it's a loose agenda. So we had Baker Tillery Chase 00:18:57
building his judicial center. 00:19:02
You know, touch on this again, we, we mentioned it back, you know, before summer and then it's. 00:19:16
Come back up again in a different iteration. So if you want to come up and. 00:19:22
This is the information that was. 00:19:29
Emailed out earlier today and again, it's just been an ongoing conversation. 00:19:31
So it's nothing that has to be. 00:19:36
Information wasn't withheld until today. Information was just finalized. 00:19:40
That everybody agreed on so. 00:19:44
I know that some of this information was broached briefly at the. 00:19:47
We'll call it a financial overview with Baker Tilly in July that I was absent toward being out in country. 00:19:54
And all the taxi districts were notified that there could be a potential adjustment prior to August 1st of this year. So this is a 00:20:00
conversation that can be had a. 00:20:05
Currently. 00:20:11
There exists multiple different lids in this county. 00:20:12
Judicially, you have what is commonly known as the jail lit, but has a much longer more formal name. You have your PTR lit, which 00:20:15
is actually called the property tax relief lit. So it is a LIT. So local income taxes with lit is my apologies. 00:20:23
It's a local income tax that actually goes. 00:20:33
And processes through settlement twice a year. So my office collects an income tax on a monthly basis that they then distribute to 00:20:36
the taxing districts through settlement in June and December. Now this this lit I. 00:20:44
Has nothing whatsoever to do with. 00:20:53
To do with the taxing raises it. 00:20:57
Affects the circuit Breakers is what it affects. It's also a lit that is very specific as to who it benefits, so the PTR lit can 00:21:00
only be distributed to one. 00:21:06
Dwelling owners. 00:21:13
Residing within Floyd County so you have to only own one house. 00:21:15
And you have to live. 00:21:19
In that house in Floyd County, there are a number of benefits that have occurred this year and next year that are also going to 00:21:21
be. 00:21:25
A positive for those types of homeowners in this area. I don't know if anyone noticed, but your mortgage deduction dropped off of 00:21:30
your property taxes this year if you have a mortgage. And that's because that mortgage deduction was lumped into your homestead, 00:21:36
your primary, not your supplemental, your primary homestead deduction. 00:21:42
Went up by $3000 as opposed to you only getting that 3000 additional break if you had a mortgage. So even homeowners with a paid 00:21:48
off home are now benefited benefiting from that additional $3000 off. And then majority of homes also qualify for a supplemental 00:21:55
homestead which is a percentage based break as well. 00:22:01
Additionally, the the way assessments are. 00:22:09
Going to be changing over the next year. 00:22:13
For lack of a better way to describe it without getting into the nitty gritty, if the structure on your property in addition to 00:22:17
your home is not livable, it is no longer part of that assessment. So there are a lot of things that are benefiting our homeowners 00:22:23
and our taxpayers through the state here recently, which makes it to where and I did send an e-mail out earlier and I know that it 00:22:30
was a very short notice e-mail and I apologize. 00:22:37
But like I mentioned in the e-mail, Stanley and I have been bouncing this around between us and the state for nearly three months 00:22:44
just because we know that there's a cash flow problem. 00:22:49
In our county, and we know that there are already some tools in place that could provide partial solutions. 00:22:54
So the rate that the PTR is set at for this county could actually be. 00:23:02
Divided between. 00:23:08
Our judicial lit raising it to seven. 00:23:11
And our jail lit raising it to a. 00:23:15
.27. 00:23:20
Yeah, sorry. Yeah, Well, no, it's .07 and then .27. Yes. 00:23:22
By getting rid of the PR you can spread that between there you wind up with no cash flow problem for the jail lit, you're able to 00:23:30
offload almost a million more dollars out of the general fund and into the judicial IT, which I promise you I could spend. 00:23:37
Because we don't have nearly the amount of finances on boarded onto the judicial that we could do. You can do up to 50% of 00:23:44
salaries and contract workers for all court associated employees. That includes all the employees of the courts. They're Pro Tem 00:23:51
judges. They're guardian ad litems. That includes the prosecutor's office, the public defender's office, the public defender's 00:23:57
contracted public defenders. 00:24:04
Includes the caseworkers that are primarily paid. 00:24:12
For out of the general fund in probation, so there are there are so many other things that we can cover using judicial lit that 00:24:14
takes it out of the general fund and helps that cash flow problem. So in the e-mail that Stan and I have put together for you all, 00:24:20
it kind of goes over some of those basics I would very much. 00:24:26
Highly encourage you to consider these options to take a look at the lid. 00:24:35
To speak to Baker Tilly about an analysis and how that would affect not just our income flow, but the potential circuit breaker 00:24:40
effect that it would have on our property taxes because they can provide that information. There is some of that information 00:24:45
already included in the e-mail that we sent you and some of the attachments. The person we worked with closest at the state level 00:24:50
is Fred Van Dorf. 00:24:55
And I don't know if many any of you know that name, but in my world and then Stanley's world, that name is like a St. 00:25:01
He's he was my personal superhero all year long. Last year, if I picked up the phone to call somebody, it was Fred. 00:25:10
And he he knew my phone number. 00:25:17
How often I called him he is. 00:25:19
He's a budget wizard. Everyone who works with county finances knows this man's name and respects his his knowledge base and his 00:25:23
opinion. And in fact, when when Stanley had his conversation with him very recently about some of these things, he was baffled 00:25:31
that we were looking at a lid adjustment that was tax based, neutral, something that didn't raise taxes at all. 00:25:39
Something that would help. 00:25:48
Fix our cash flow problems, but also not be impactful to our taxpayers so that they weren't. 00:25:51
Feeling an additional burden for? 00:25:59
Some challenges that we face as a county. 00:26:02
I know I've mentioned this off and on for a couple months to numerous different elected officials. 00:26:06
And this is specific to the County Council. 00:26:12
Your job as the County Council is to make sure that our county finances are healthy. 00:26:16
That we are in a safe place as far as our county finances are concerned. And why I keep emphasizing county is that is the level of 00:26:21
government that you are at. You are not at a district level. You are at a county level. I'm at a county level. Your job is to make 00:26:29
sure the county finances are where they should be. And I would charge you to make sure that you're doing everything you can. 00:26:38
To to make sure that not only are we. 00:26:48
Being fiscally responsible with the finances available to us, but that we're also being good stewards of it. 00:26:51
This is part of that, reevaluating levees and lit rates and looking at the circuit Breakers and seeing what effect is going to be 00:27:01
the best with what we already have to work with. 00:27:05
If you have additional questions, I'm happy to address them. I know that we gave Paige a heads up yesterday that we were going to 00:27:11
send out this e-mail. 00:27:16
They are awaiting instruction if an analysis is requested by the county. 00:27:21
Council as to how this would affect our finances and our property tax income. 00:27:26
So. 00:27:31
I would like to really thank Stan Heil and. 00:27:33
Floyd County Sheriff's Department for working very closely with me on researching this and talking about it, and Stan lets me pick 00:27:37
his brain on a daily basis. 00:27:42
So Sheriff Bush shares him with me often. 00:27:47
To just. 00:27:50
Talk numbers because there's not many people in this county who understand the county finances on that level he's. 00:27:51
Hugely valuable to us so. 00:27:59
Stan, do you have anything that or? 00:28:03
I would like to just emphasize that when we. 00:28:06
After talking with Fred and we Dining and that work to put this together, our ultimate goal was to try to keep this tax neutral 00:28:10
for residents of the weekend. 00:28:14
I think the greater impact is to the taxing districts, but as Mr. Van Dorf explained, with the impacts of the changes, 00:28:19
specifically the homestead. 00:28:24
Increase and the taking off of non livable spaces that have been previously assessed. 00:28:31
As well as the circuit breaker impacts. 00:28:36
Specifically in District 8, which is the New Albany city, though the pain or the the impact of the adjustments to the tax bills 00:28:39
will be as minimized as possible in this period of time. 00:28:45
Page. Do you have anything to add? 00:28:54
The only thing I would add is, is something that the auditor alluded to was that, you know, if you eliminate that property tax 00:28:59
relief rate, there is that potential to increase circuit breaker tax credits. So I would just say, you know, I, I would strongly 00:29:06
recommend an analysis of that to see because it will chip in or it will cut into your property tax revenue and be a direct 00:29:13
reduction of your property tax revenue. 00:29:20
For instance, in your general fund, you're not collecting about, I think it's about 400,000. So that could go up and and it could 00:29:28
be significant. I don't know, we'd have to do the analysis, but hopefully there's a net benefit from doing all this. But just keep 00:29:34
that in mind, that kind of a set back, a little bit of a set back might be the fact that you're not going to collect as much 00:29:40
property tax in your property tax supported funds. 00:29:47
Can you send me paperwork on that and I'll present it to the council and get it back to you? 00:29:54
Sure, sure. Yeah. 00:29:58
I have a couple questions. So is this something that we can do this year and what is the timetable? It's all that if it's all 00:30:01
before the end of October? 00:30:07
It can be done because notice was sent to the taxing districts that lit rates could be adjusted prior to August 1st and as long as 00:30:13
everything is filed by the 1st of November, we can start the. 00:30:19
Adjusted collections January 1 of next year. 00:30:26
That's correct. 00:30:31
OK. And the impacts are on the townships and wobbly? 00:30:34
Pratt City, is that correct? That is correct. 00:30:41
OK. 00:30:45
OK. 00:30:47
Well, yes, I we we have to see the analysis before we can make any decisions. 00:30:48
Yeah, we need to move forward. 00:30:56
Anyone have any further questions for these three? 00:30:58
I was still curious. I didn't get that finish up with Paige when the numbers and and you'll as well. So all those extra benefits 00:31:02
that weren't included for the uh. 00:31:07
Sheriff's Department the two contracts all the. 00:31:14
Umm, well, we got that preferred comp match and uniforms that all got added and that's included in this budget and it's got added, 00:31:19
yes, because, right. I didn't think they were before. That's why I wanted to. 00:31:26
Budget submission because the Sheriff's Department submitted their budget based on the contracts they were presenting, so. 00:31:33
Anything else? 00:31:47
Anything further on there, we appreciate it. Thank you. 00:31:49
Hey, Catherine, can you get an analysis back to us because it does seem like we have a short period to react here. 00:31:54
Yes, there is a short period to react and unfortunately this type of analysis because it's circuit breaker, we have to do a parcel 00:32:02
by parcel analysis. I mean, I know it could take up to four weeks. And I was just thinking in the back of my mind, I really need 00:32:09
to try to expedite it. We, we actually used a company called Policy Analytics to help us with that because it's so much data 00:32:17
manipulation doing the parcel. I mean, we have to recalculate the tax bills for every single parcel. So I would say. 00:32:24
Four weeks as best is probably worst case, I hope, and we would just try to expedite it because I know you guys need that 00:32:32
information. So I'm going to get the agreement out to Danny as soon as possible, but it will take some time. We can't turn it 00:32:38
around right away, but we know you need it, so we'll do the best we can. 00:32:44
OK, we can work with that. 00:32:50
Danny, you want to roll this into the? 00:32:53
Sheriff's Department contracts. 00:32:55
Yeah. 00:32:58
So, you know part of what was just presented, and I know we haven't. 00:33:00
We still need the analysis. 00:33:05
Part of this was, you know, funding for. 00:33:08
The sheriff's contracts. 00:33:11
That were passed by the commissioners so. 00:33:13
I know we were looking for funding sources. 00:33:18
They were. 00:33:20
Looking for information so this is. 00:33:24
This is what? 00:33:27
We've been working on and. 00:33:28
And, and we don't have a full form tonight, but. 00:33:31
We can discuss it. We can. 00:33:37
Vote on it again. 00:33:39
I'd like to. 00:33:42
I'd like to say that I still have a problem. 00:33:45
With the deferred comp in particular, and I sent out an e-mail, there's a few other items that I'm. 00:33:50
Specifically, have a problem with and I. 00:33:57
I really would like. 00:34:01
I don't know if most people know this and I did say it in my e-mail, but we find pensions for the police. 00:34:04
Police officers already at the tune of I think it was 1.5 this year and 1.7 budgeted for next year and. 00:34:14
Two, I would love to be able to do this the first time. 00:34:26
But they already have a sweet deal with pensions. 00:34:31
I really think we need to take that off the table for both of the contracts until we are ready to offer this to. 00:34:36
All the employees, it's going to open the door it is. And I would love to be able to open that door for our employees and have 00:34:45
give them the ability to have a very nice retirement with a get ready to do that. But I just don't think we're ready for that this 00:34:52
year. So I just like to state that publicly. 00:34:59
And and and actually just ask that we go back. 00:35:09
To the bargaining table and ask for that to be changed or amendment, you know, at the end. However, that needs to be handled 00:35:14
briefly. I don't know. 00:35:19
Well, I think we are ready for it and I don't know how much of a sweet deal. 00:35:27
Police officers getting retirement because their their average lifespan is about 8 years shorter than the average citizen. 00:35:32
So that doesn't sound like a real sweet deal to me, but. 00:35:39
I'm ready to move forward with it. 00:35:44
I'll make a motion to table this until. 00:35:48
The Council meeting so that we can have further discussion about. 00:35:53
Changes that I feel still need to be made, so I'll make that motion to table this until our council meeting. 00:35:58
I'll second that motion. 00:36:05
We have a motion in a second. Any discussion on that? 00:36:07
All in favor of tabling say aye. 00:36:12
Aye, all opposed. 00:36:16
No, that fails. 00:36:18
Denise, you do realize that that's been in their contract. It's just a money change. 00:36:29
For years. 00:36:35
And the purpose? 00:36:40
To increase it is to. 00:36:42
We've got a great team of officers. 00:36:49
Already we've got disagree with that. We have a great team. I didn't say that you did. 00:36:53
Listen. 00:37:00
I'm trying to explain the thought process behind why we did this. 00:37:02
You have a great team of Corrections and merit officers. 00:37:08
This gives them a little more. 00:37:16
Feeling of professionalism, Feeling of inclusion. 00:37:20
Just, I don't know, you know, when they're vested a little bit more. 00:37:24
And if we're willing to match more? 00:37:30
I think it just creates. 00:37:34
More of a morale, more of a team. Not that it's already a great team, but it's, it's just kind of a, a, I don't know. 00:37:36
Come work for Floyd County. Don't look at Indiana State, don't look at the Federal, don't look at Jeff, don't look at whatever. 00:37:46
Floyd County is where you want to be. 00:37:51
Because we've got a great program. 00:37:57
We've, you know, we try really hard to take care of the officers. And I think it just kind of is an added, hey, I want to stay at 00:38:00
Floyd County and not look elsewhere. 00:38:04
To be a police officer. 00:38:10
That would be my main reason. Anything you said. 00:38:13
What I disagree with is that we have a budget without revenue to match it. And yes, we may have enough to pay for that for next 00:38:16
year, but the position that we're putting ourselves in is not healthy. And until we can make sure that we have a revenue stream 00:38:26
that matches our expenses, I don't think we should be doing these kind of things. Do I want to? 00:38:36
I really do want to, but at what cost? We may not have an answer on revenue until the end of October. 00:38:46
Long after our budgets are due. 00:38:54
But then what do we what, when? When do we have to have this? 00:38:58
As soon as possible. As soon as possible. 00:39:03
Before before budgets are approved. 00:39:12
And every employee in this county is offered deferred comp. This is not like it's a new. 00:39:16
A new thing that. 00:39:22
That we're talking about some kind of new. I understand that, Dan. I understand that. 00:39:24
I think there's some other things that also need to be looked at, but this is the one that paints me most I think. 00:39:33
I will. 00:39:41
Weigh in if that was the mindset that were. 00:39:42
We're not going to do things until we can sustain it and fund it. 00:39:47
Then we would never do anything, like I've said before, with the wages of the county workers. 00:39:52
And everyone I always say it was. 00:39:58
Lack of less than responsible for counseling and commissioners of times past, but that's why we're here as with the. 00:40:01
Especially with the county workers, the. 00:40:10
The support staff and the auditor's office assessor, so we know all over. 00:40:13
And we did vote to give them a raise. We didn't have a funding source. I admit I was one of those that did that. But I felt like 00:40:18
it's the right thing to do. I think this is the right thing to do. 00:40:23
And also I'll just make a statement as I said in the other meeting that. 00:40:29
The contract has already been negotiated. The Commissioner signed off on it. 00:40:34
It's not time to renegotiate the contract now. It's already, I mean, in fact, I was telling somebody yesterday that the reason why 00:40:41
you have a committee of Corrections and police and. 00:40:47
This body and the commissioners is we don't want 140 police officers and corrections officers and 10 people sitting in a room 00:40:53
trying to negotiate a contract, but that'd be total anarchy in my view. 00:40:59
So with the contracts already been signed. 00:41:05
And it's this is not the appropriate time to renegotiate the contract in my mind. We did this two months ago. 00:41:08
We approve DMS service. 00:41:15
For 25 and 26. 00:41:17
And somebody else wasn't put on it. Why? 00:41:21
Jim recused himself after the negotiations had started. I'm not sure what benefit it was for an extra council person to be put on 00:41:26
when the commissioners are the ones negotiating that contract. 00:41:31
OK, Well, we don't have the votes to pass this tonight, I don't think. If you guys want to make a motion, then make a motion. 00:41:40
We need more data. 00:41:51
We need to understand that we have the revenues, just important. 00:41:53
It's another $1,000,000 to the bottom line. 00:41:56
Yeah, that's a million this year. That'll be 1.5 the following year because there'll be another round of increases too. So it. 00:42:02
Deficit for 2026 and even more. 00:42:09
And I really want to get there. I do want to get there, and I think I might get there. I'm just not. 00:42:14
Ready yet? I'm not saying no. I'm just not saying I'm not there. What else do you need to get there? Because you are saying no. 00:42:19
This is the second time you've said no. 00:42:23
No, I'm not. And you know that Danny, so you need to like. 00:42:30
Anyway. 00:42:38
So I'm not saying that. I'm saying I think we need to do a little more work on it. I personally believe we do. And I think we need 00:42:39
to understand these revenues. 00:42:44
And I don't know if we're gonna end of September, we should have some numbers. 00:42:50
So I'm not saying no, I'm just saying. 00:42:56
Let's wait. Let's make sure we're doing the right thing. I wish the commissioners would have waited too, but they didn't. 00:43:00
So that's where we're at, and I'm sorry I'm having to be hard about this, but. 00:43:07
This is the way I feel about this one. 00:43:14
I'm sorry you feel that way. You know, we were chastised at the end of last year for reducing the building authorities budget 00:43:19
because that was not in our purview. That's a commissioner purview. And that's exactly what we're doing here. Go ahead. 00:43:25
So are you? 00:43:31
It is when it's. 00:43:34
The council has a purview over there getting anywhere. We're just sitting here in a public meeting arguing we're in discussion 00:43:36
totally. 00:43:39
Yeah. So you, are you asking that we go back to the negotiation table with both contracts is, is that what you're waiting on? 00:43:43
I would love to see that. 00:43:54
That's not going to happen exactly. We can. We can put it on the September agenda again. 00:43:56
I I'd like to wait till the end of September until we get the numbers. I can guarantee you it's going to come up for a vote at the 00:44:03
September meeting. 00:44:06
I'm going to make that promise. 00:44:10
We have budget and hearings mid-september. Denise, how is the Sheriff's Department going to budget for 25? 00:44:12
They already have, honey. They already have. Yeah, and they're kind of in limbo. 00:44:21
Because. 00:44:28
The contracts are in the air. 00:44:30
So they really can't do that. I mean, they they can't finalize their budget without knowing whether the contracts can be approved 00:44:33
or not. 00:44:37
I'm kind of sensing an impasse. Yeah, we'll move on. So. 00:44:42
Sounds like that will return in September, so. 00:44:47
The last thing that would be primarily under the council's purview today is the EMS Public Safety lit discussion. 00:44:51
I yeah, I mean, we're. 00:45:02
We're at decision time is along with every other. 00:45:04
Rate issue that we're talking about. So you know we've got to the end of October to to make a decision. 00:45:08
One way or the other, or. 00:45:16
None of the above, so I. 00:45:18
I feel like the consensus from what I'm hearing is for the EMS. 00:45:23
Lit at some some type of. 00:45:30
For some type of duration but those details if anybody feels different then. 00:45:34
Speak up now, but I feel like that's the way. 00:45:42
Conversations have been. 00:45:45
Leading SO. 00:45:46
And I think that in those conversations. 00:45:50
And I guess what I would like to see is. 00:45:55
Out maybe you can address this because I think you're the one that talked with the mayor. We're likely not to get any kind of 00:46:01
interlocal agreement. 00:46:05
Put together before we make a decision here, but is it? 00:46:09
Prudent of us. 00:46:15
To put an ordinance together that states what we plan to do with the monies that are collected from the New Albany citizens. 00:46:17
Constituents. 00:46:30
Yeah, You know, I, I talked to the mayor informally about that and. 00:46:32
At this point. 00:46:39
An interlocal agreement would probably not move forward. I still think it's the will of these two bodies, as well as the right 00:46:40
thing to do to make sure that the tax money that is extracted from the people of New Albany has returned to them at least. 00:46:48
In the form of covering their EMS code coverage. Rick and I had talked about whether we needed a formal ordinance to do that. 00:46:58
Or a resolution, you know, just some sort of public statement of how we would do that. So Rick, I don't know whether. 00:47:08
Or not. You'd had any further thoughts on ordinance versus resolution as long as we had a formal agreement that we were going to 00:47:14
be doing that? 00:47:18
The chief thing in my mind or two, one that I've already mentioned, is that money needs to go back to the taxpayers who paid it, 00:47:22
but #2 it has to do so in a way that satisfies the State Board of accounts with regards to the EMS lit, which I believe states 00:47:28
that that can only be spent for emergency medical services. So. 00:47:34
Is Rick talking? I can't. Yeah. And Rick is now making his way to the microphone. 00:47:43
OK, OK. 00:47:56
In terms of working out the the issues of an agreement. 00:47:59
Whether it be a resolution or ordinance, Shane Gibson and I can work that out. 00:48:04
It was my understanding that the mayor did not want to enter into an agreement with the county. 00:48:09
So if. 00:48:15
If the county and the mayor. 00:48:17
And enter into an agreement. We'll be more than happy to make it work, but until I get something on my desk that. 00:48:20
Here's our agreement. 00:48:28
Draft anything up and Shane can't be involved either. 00:48:30
Well, then we need to make a formal ask for the agreement then. So I mean, I think. 00:48:34
It could be largely unilateral. 00:48:40
I mean as long as they sign off on. 00:48:42
What we need on their end to answer to the State Board of Accounts. 00:48:45
I mean, that's, that's my my. 00:48:51
Whatever we need to do needs to be fair to the taxpayers of Romney. It needs to be above board with the State Board of Accounts. 00:48:53
So I understand, but the executive has to be on board with. 00:48:57
Putting this together. 00:49:03
Well, let me I'm just gonna add some information for you. 00:49:04
Wasn't public knowledge because I was just kind of trying to feel my way around it. I. 00:49:09
Myself and Danny did meet with the mayor. 00:49:18
I felt like he needed a heads up on where we were looking to go with this lit stuff. 00:49:22
I wanted to get his thoughts. 00:49:28
So I. 00:49:32
I worked on getting a meeting with the mayor and he agreed to meet with Janie and myself. Umm. 00:49:34
So, you know, if you would like for me to be in those discussions, he has opened his door to more discussions with us. 00:49:41
I would Danny myself would love to be a part of that I. 00:49:52
That way, everybody's on the same page and we can hopefully, you know, come to an agreement and work together between the city and 00:49:57
the county, especially for the CMS deal. And he is very open. The mayor is very open to doing what's right for the constituents. 00:50:04
I think the City Council is going to have to end up passing whatever this is and that will need to be, it's an ordinance. Then the 00:50:13
mayor would have to sign the ordinance. He would either. 00:50:19
Sign it or veto it. 00:50:26
So that's the way the city's. 00:50:28
Operation works with regards to getting those things approved. 00:50:33
Again, I'm ready to sit down. I think we need. 00:50:36
As we have, as long as we have a representative of our executive body and part of that. 00:50:43
I spoke to him the night the night of our last discussion on this. Well, how about I reach out to mayor? 00:50:46
Again. 00:50:54
And Jason, would you like to join myself and Danny? I'd be happy because I, I gotta say, we were a real unique place to really 00:50:56
truly solve this problem for everybody in the county. That includes the residents of New Albany. So I think that would be great. 00:51:02
I'd be happy to. OK, I will reach out. I will reach out to the mayor and see if you can throw together another meeting with with 00:51:09
us. Rick, would you like Shane and yourself to be there as well? 00:51:15
That Shane and myself be a party to this so that we can make sure that we end up getting the thing drafted properly and you know, 00:51:22
Shameless certainly has the mayor's ear. 00:51:28
Yes. 00:51:33
With with the. 00:51:35
You know, shame. 00:51:36
Telling mayor that this. 00:51:39
Right. 00:51:41
Yeah, well, I will. I will do that tomorrow morning and and we'll work on getting the time for all of us to get together. 00:51:43
We'll we'll go ahead. I was gonna say we will add the. 00:51:51
The lit possibilities. 00:51:56
Next meeting, I believe we've already. 00:51:59
The next council meeting. 00:52:03
Rick. 00:52:06
I want to ask a question 2 questions. 00:52:07
John, his question, OK. 00:52:12
Last question, Rick. So these negotiations you'll come back to the to the commissioners, so that way we can sign off on what the 00:52:17
rate is and all that before we. 00:52:23
Before before you all give a formal on it. 00:52:29
OK, I want to make sure that the commissioners are involved in the. 00:52:33
Final product before it's it's approved. The commissioners are the executive and the legislative branch. 00:52:36
Only the commissioners that can approve. I just want to make sure that we don't have a unilateral agreement and then we come back 00:52:44
or three of us don't like it. So it's the commissioners on the county level and then on the city level. 00:52:50
Council and the mayor are players in approving it there. 00:53:00
John, the only thing I wanted to do is offer that. 00:53:06
Relationship. 00:53:09
I know it's been hard to get that relationship with the mayor and I understand. I just want to make sure that. 00:53:11
Y'all don't negotiate. I wanna make, I wanna see the product before we no or drop something. Yeah. So so you all being the 00:53:17
commissioners, being both the executive and the legislature. 00:53:22
Legislative branch cover that function, whereas the cities like the state government, they're separated, so you have to have both 00:53:29
parties involved in order to get. 00:53:34
I get it resolved and unless for example the. 00:53:40
The City Council approved it and the mayor vetoed it, and then the City Council overrode the veto. 00:53:46
What's your deadline for passage on that issue? 00:53:55
End of October. They're all end of October. 00:53:58
Halloween. 00:54:02
So I mean whether we, whether we have an agreement or I think it needs to be passed. 00:54:03
I have two more questions. Does it make any sense at all to go ahead and draft up a outline of a ordinance? 00:54:11
That can be sort of taken with you so that. 00:54:22
It's. I mean, you're working from a document. 00:54:26
Just just a thought. 00:54:33
I have all of us on equal footing and. 00:54:36
Build the building together. Together. Yes, I agree with you, Rick. 00:54:40
Is it time to take public safety off the table and assume we're going to move forward with the EMS length? 00:54:49
I don't see anybody we need to. 00:55:02
I don't see anybody looking. 00:55:04
At public Safety at this point, so my suggestion is for the next meeting that we. 00:55:07
Only discuss the EMS lit. 00:55:12
I think our attorney is going to do some work on some. 00:55:16
Documents force for. 00:55:19
Some different options and then. 00:55:22
We'll go from there. Have you informed the mayor that that is off the table yet? 00:55:25
No. 00:55:29
All right, any further comment on? 00:55:34
We need to start talking about what rate that would look like. 00:55:37
Yeah, we've got those. We've got those rates from Baker Tilly and what the impact and what the revenue is. So we can discuss that 00:55:41
in. 00:55:45
OK. 00:55:50
OK, All right. Judicial Center discussion and guidance, The commissioners need guidance from the Council at this point in time. 00:55:52
You guys were at the last meeting and heard the. 00:55:57
The presentation as did we with regards to the options you know available. 00:56:03
And you know. 00:56:07
We're approaching a time where we need to decide on that, so we had. 00:56:10
Partial remodel, we had a remodel on the same footprint and we had a rebuild on the same footprint. And I know where I am, but I'd 00:56:14
like to hear publicly anybody that wants to speak publicly on the matter and. 00:56:20
Anybody this is this is not a final thought on it by any means, but it's an opportunity for anybody to speak publicly and we'll 00:56:27
have public comment here momentarily but. 00:56:31
So Danny, looks like you're, can you give us the cost of each of those again, just so for the public and just to remind us. 00:56:36
I don't have the exact numbers before me, it's. 00:56:46
The partial remodel was for the two floors and not touching the first two floors was awake 18,000,000. 00:56:49
And then the remodel on the spot. 00:56:57
Was roughly 30. 00:57:00
Two or 33 million and a rebuild was 35 million. 00:57:02
Yeah. So I'm just going to. 00:57:07
I'll be the first to speak out and stick my neck out I guess, but. 00:57:09
For me, being in the real estate field, I love historic buildings, but I don't love this one. 00:57:13
Sad to say, I wish I could. 00:57:20
It's the. 00:57:24
The floor to ceiling space is not adequate. 00:57:26
The design is dated. The elevators are inadequate and not large enough. 00:57:30
So. 00:57:37
Long story short. 00:57:39
I'm for. 00:57:40
Building new in that space. 00:57:43
Tony, you. 00:57:48
Nodding the head and thought, yeah, I I concur. 00:57:50
I think right now I would have to lean forward the the rebuild on that. 00:57:55
I've always been remodeling. 00:58:03
I've said before if I was king we built a tower out front and then remodel it, but I'm not keen today. 00:58:06
But I just. 00:58:12
Personally, I don't think that. 00:58:16
Structurally, I don't think steel building is structurally sound. Is that building that's concrete and steel. And like Mr. Davis 00:58:18
said, one of our meetings, it was built during in 1961, what was going on in 1961, a Cold War, all government buildings were built 00:58:27
structurally sound. Now I know it's got height limitations, I know it's got elevator limitations, but it's for as. 00:58:36
I know we're going to move the. 00:58:46
Like everything not associated with court across the street eventually. 00:58:49
And then there was talk of possibly doing a. 00:58:54
Smaller building in the front to get the courts out of that building in. 00:58:57
Possibly demo that building are real back to you but. 00:59:00
That's just my fault, but it is. Let me revisit here. 00:59:04
Just in my construction experience, I see a lot more cost overrun in remodels than I do in new construction that has a plan and 00:59:10
has limits on certain things I see a lot more change orders on. 00:59:18
Three models than I do on new construction. 00:59:26
That's where Dale makes all of his money is on the change orders. 00:59:29
King Dale. 00:59:33
Jim, Connie, Denise from remote. Jim looks like he's gonna Yeah. So I'm always consistent. I'm always looking for saving the 00:59:35
taxpayer as much money as possible. So I I realized that the other two options. 00:59:43
I would. I want to do what's best, what the taxpayer wants. If we could keep the cost 80 million, I would. 00:59:52
That wholeheartedly, I do think in the long run it's not the best interest. But so my question is back to the to the group is if 01:00:00
we get up over this amount, is this going to go back to the taxpayers to get the vote on? Is this going to be a referendum or are 01:00:06
we deciding this ourselves? 01:00:11
If the taxpayer has a referendum and they can, they'll support it, then I'll support it. But. 01:00:18
If it's not going to go to them then I'm going to say I'd rather see a stick with the minimal cost and go with a partial. 01:00:22
Connie. 01:00:30
I missed the meeting, I was out of town, but umm. I've always been a proponent of build new. 01:00:32
I just think it's cleaner to try to puzzle piece those offices back into the current building. 01:00:38
Is is difficult for what we need? 01:00:45
Denise. 01:00:49
From afar, yeah. 01:00:51
I I think a new building is the right answer short term and long term, but. 01:00:55
I would not vote for it without a referendum. 01:01:01
So I don't know what the timing of a referendum looks like on the ballot, but this is too much money for us to spend without. 01:01:04
Going to our constituents and. 01:01:14
Asking them if this is what they want. 01:01:16
OK, so that's that's when I'm at. 01:01:20
John, I'd have to look at the figures again. It's been a while since I've looked at it. But I agree with Jim. 01:01:24
The building would be nice, but again, I think with that amount of money I think we need to have the backing up. 01:01:32
Taxpayers. 01:01:37
Well, I think a lot has changed. 01:01:41
1961 I think our needs are drastically different than what they are today. I'm absolutely in favor of building a new building and 01:01:43
not being. 01:01:47
Strained by that floor plan, the dated systems and all the other hazards associated with that building. 01:01:52
So I absolutely support the. 01:01:59
OK, well, yeah, I. 01:02:02
Shortly after that last presentation. 01:02:07
At my epiphany that we need to move forward with a new building on that same location, I think it's probably less expensive in the 01:02:11
long run per square foot to build that out versus a partial and impartial and partial. 01:02:17
And so I think that's the footing we need to move forward on and we need to look at the financing and. 01:02:25
I've not heard or figured any way to do it without a referendum at this point in time, so. 01:02:33
If we have a strong consensus that that's the way to go and a referendum is the right thing to do as well. 01:02:37
I say we move forward with it and we make our best argument and we put it for the taxpayers. 01:02:44
I would guess that we'd missed the November. 01:02:50
Oh, it's not going to be on this year's and there's not, there's not an election. 01:02:54
2626 it would be probably primary spring 26 and you know and that. 01:02:57
I've said publicly and privately multiple times, I mean, this is like, this is a decadent project. This is 18 years in the making. 01:03:05
So, so we need to have the plan going forward. And then like I said, put a good product before the people, let them decide. 01:03:11
In the meantime, I think we need to come to grips with the fact that if we're not going to break ground on a new building 01:03:18
promptly, that the old building is going to continue to need. 01:03:22
Some measure of support and it's going to continue to have. 01:03:26
Need need regularly scheduled maintenance and then the surprise maintenance as well. So I think we need to all just kind of get 01:03:33
our heads around that fact that that will continue to be somewhat of a drain both predictably and unpredictably until we we we 01:03:37
make that that move. 01:03:42
But I'd rather do that and be in a new building in 10 years. 01:03:48
Then do a partial remodel, spend $18,000,000 and have a partially remodeled building. As you said Danny, that that building is 01:03:52
just not equipped. 01:03:57
For the job at this point in time, so. 01:04:02
All right, Any comment from government officials on anything today? 01:04:04
Topping Floyd County Auditor I do have commentary over this building is concerned. 01:04:14
I am of the very strong opinion that a new build is the appropriate measure to take. 01:04:20
I have multiple reasons for that, not the least of which is the new build is the only one that allows us to turn it into a true 01:04:25
Justice Center and combine all of the court associated offices into one location instead of having them spread across. 01:04:32
Three buildings and 1/4 of the county. 01:04:41
Can't tell you how often the. 01:04:45
Confusion exists for people looking for the alternate services that are offered by our county. 01:04:48
And the new build is the only one that would allow us to consolidate and offload some potentially not so great properties that the 01:04:55
county no longer really has use for at that point. 01:05:00
My understanding of partial remodeling of that building is that it could take. 01:05:07
Exponentially longer than a scrap and rebuild just. 01:05:12
The nature of the beast. I survived the majority of the jail remodel and I can tell you it would have been a heck of a lot faster 01:05:17
if they'd have been able to just scrap the building and and rebuild it. 01:05:22
I've worked in multiple offices in that building. I can tell you that the really lovely water feature that comes in the corner of 01:05:29
the Treasurer's office every time it rains hard is a delight. 01:05:33
I really, really, really enjoyed it. It was lovely. You want us to add 1 to your office? 01:05:38
I I think I have one already. It's, it's just hidden. It's just starting, Yeah. 01:05:44
I don't know if you've been in the building when the elevators stopped working, but. 01:05:51
That's that's a beautiful moment as well. 01:05:58
And those the building doesn't support an upgrade. So with the interconnective workings of the HVAC systems and the boiler systems 01:06:01
with our our Correctional Facility and the current NAPD office. 01:06:08
Renovation is not. 01:06:20
It's not a logical option by any means. 01:06:22
So I absolutely support and I hope that you all understand that if this is the way that you go, you. 01:06:25
We, as county officials, are going to have to. 01:06:30
Present this to the voters in a very clear and precise manner because I I also agree that a referendum is is needed. It's a very 01:06:34
large project that could reach $40 million. 01:06:41
But it's it's a sustainable project that should last for the next three to four decades. And if we maintain it well, it can last. 01:06:49
Past that, I would say 50 to 75 years. 01:06:55
We need to go to, we need to go into it with that. 01:07:00
So I think that. 01:07:04
I am pleased the majority are moving in that direction. I will say at $40 million, it will still be a million less than 01:07:06
Jeffersonville High School's new swimming pool. This is true and I am jealous of that high school as my my oldest was a former 01:07:12
swimmer for the local high school, so. 01:07:17
But I just I think. 01:07:24
I think I'm very pleased. 01:07:27
With the conversation. 01:07:30
That I just witnessed so. 01:07:31
Good. 01:07:33
Sheriff, any comment and let me. 01:07:36
First I want to say thank you for all for listening tonight. You all requested data from us and information so we. 01:07:39
Provided that I think and then some you asked for funding sources, we provided that as well. I personally want to thank Dinah for 01:07:46
your hard work and stands working to get as a team because we want to work with you all as a team to make sure we get this across 01:07:53
to the end to the finish line. You know, I support the bargaining units as sheriff because they do a valuable or invaluable job to 01:07:59
the community and serving the community. You know, to do this point, I don't believe I believe in processes and we've done that. 01:08:06
I've had representatives. 01:08:14
On those boards and look at this, you evaluated it. 01:08:16
We provided all the data and I think you know. 01:08:19
To the end. 01:08:23
They deserve what they're doing. To Denise's point in terms of the deferred comp and her concerns, I believe not everybody will 01:08:25
anticipate. But so it's miniscule in terms of an overall global side of what we're dealing with. And it's something that gives 01:08:31
them the ability to retire early. And just a thought on that is it's going to cost more money in the long run because if you have 01:08:37
people that tend to stay 25 or 30 years, it's going to cost more versus a new hire or A5 year person. So if you think of it those 01:08:43
terms. 01:08:49
The judicial it separately or together or look at the carpet tax relief tax at 9 and explain we've vetted that. I think you're 01:09:25
going to bring in another 3 million in revenue because we know we have some revenue issue, but that will help as well. So I just 01:09:30
want to say those three are are are a math equation. 01:09:36
They just got in. 01:09:43
Add up to 3.4 sheriff real quick. How much does it cost you to train a new officer? 01:09:45
Gosh, just roughly it doesn't use that. 01:09:50
50,000 I just don't know. 01:09:53
Several years ago, when we were first negotiating our contract, we estimated that between. 01:09:56
The training hours, the payable training hours, issuing equipment, uniforms, et cetera, was roughly just under $50,000. 01:10:02
And that was in 17. Wow. 01:10:14
What's the current base salary for Floyd County Sheriff's Department Rd. officers? The married officer I believe currently is 01:10:19
around 60,000. 01:10:23
And in the jail, I believe it's 40. 01:10:27
Was. 01:10:30
Do you have nowhere to start and pay us for Indiana State Police? It's around 70,000. 01:10:33
Themselves are, yeah, Salzburg around six. 01:10:39
So with the. 01:11:10
Proposed raise alerts that are bring you up to right around 65. Is that correct? The first year be 65 minutes 6768 and 72 and 3rd 01:11:11
year. One of the other things I found interesting about Jeffersonville police contractors, they went to a 32 hour work week. 01:11:20
Is that correct? That is correct. We're starting to see a little bit more of these things. 01:11:28
That's I'll be honest and I'm from Jeff, you know, I'll say it on the public record. I went to Jeff and I grew up there. They have 01:11:32
a very nice package because they changed their work schedule. The mayor saw the importance of his employees as far as the public 01:11:39
safety of how important it is for mental health. They change their schedule. I think it's five on, four off. 01:11:45
You know, we thought about looking at our schedule to come to you all eventually, but at the moment we're looking at our contract. 01:11:52
So that package is really hurting us as well, along with the state police and their salary increase. The same thing for the jail. 01:11:56
We want our employees to be here for career. 01:12:00
And that's why this package is very important. 01:12:05
I don't think we need to be trading officers for other jurisdictions. No, thank you. 01:12:08
That's just one thing I. 01:12:13
We need you on record. 01:12:19
Shiloh Harris, corrections officer I have been there 25 years come December. So I have been in and out. I started at 8 something 01:12:26
an hour. 01:12:30
One of the things that I know Denise was concerned about was the deferred comp aspect of it and the idea it would be lovely to 01:12:35
give a lot better retirement to every employee. And I understand that. But something to consider is I've been there 25 years. I 01:12:43
probably have to work until I'm about 110 at this point to be able to afford to retire. If it wasn't for my husband's retirement, 01:12:50
because for so many years I could put nothing back. I couldn't put the 17 something back that the. 01:12:58
And the other thing to consider is we don't. 01:13:07
And I don't want this to sound as though it's a dig at any of the other county employees. I respect them all. They all have very 01:13:10
important jobs that they need to do. But my job is not one that I'm going to be able to necessarily continue to do well. 01:13:17
Into my 60s or 70s. 01:13:25
It is a more physically demanding job, which means we need to be able to retire a little bit earlier with some and and going from 01:13:28
this job to. 01:13:33
Another field for however many years until we could retire is going to be a little bit different. 01:13:39
Because this is such a different type of position. 01:13:44
So I just want that to be something that you guys think about too. I'm not going to be working in an office where I don't have to 01:13:47
maybe get punched or spit or roll on the ground with somebody the way I do here. So we're not going to be in our positions. 01:13:55
To the ages, that other author, that other office. 01:14:04
Offices are going to be in between and that's all. 01:14:07
You get the same pension though, correct, Present corrections officer? No, I mean as the civilian employees not. 01:14:09
Yes, current, yeah, currently that's what we get. I think we. 01:14:16
I think we went up a little bit on our deferred contributions, the deferred comp, yes, to the contract. But as far as the true 01:14:20
retirement, she's on the same retirement plan that Gloria is on. That's what I meant. Merit officers receive a merit office of 01:14:26
pension, which is a much higher percentage, the correction staff. So when you're looking at that correction contract and you can 01:14:31
keep that in mind. 01:14:37
They have the same retirement plan. 01:14:43
For the state that that my payroll clerk does. 01:14:45
But the job is dramatically different. 01:14:49
The physical limitations after so long as thank you. 01:14:52
Thanks. 01:14:59
Thank you. 01:15:00
You know any comment from the public tonight? 01:15:01
Anybody with $35 million sitting around, they'd like to donate to the county. 01:15:05
Get your name on the building Name on the building, Dale Kingdale says. 01:15:10
All right. Any other final comment, I would just say hope everybody's getting through their budget meetings. 01:15:16
Well. 01:15:26
So. 01:15:28
Budget ad goes to the state on Friday, so no other changes as far as increases could happen at this point. 01:15:30
Just so knows that I haven't had it there apartments yet, understand? 01:15:38
We weren't looking at increases anyway. 01:15:42
All right, our next joint meeting is Friday, September 20th at 10:00 AM. 01:15:47
I may or may not phone in on that. 01:15:55
My daughter's getting married the next day and I got to be wherever she says I'm supposed to be that Friday morning, so. 01:15:57
Look for a motion to adjourn second. 01:16:04
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Transcript

Event transcript
With this and. 00:00:05
Denise is remotely listening and hopefully she'll be able to join us. 00:00:07
From her end momentarily. So you'll please rise. Join me with the Pledge of Allegiance, please. 00:00:12
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and. 00:00:19
Republic, for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 00:00:24
All right, we only have a few items on the agenda, but they're. 00:00:33
Kind of meaty in some cases. I do want to start by seeking approval of our minutes from the July 19th joint meeting. Motion 00:00:37
approved. 00:00:42
All right. Motion is second. All in favor, aye. Any opposed? 00:00:48
OK. So if it's OK with the Baker Tilly representative, we're again trying to get Denise on so she has both the ability to listen 00:00:54
and speak. We'll start with the Chase building update In brief, that timeline continues to move forward. Rick, if there's anything 00:01:00
really important I need to add to to this, but in brief, you know we are are exploring the financing issues on that, finalizing 00:01:07
them I should say, rather than exploring. 00:01:14
And seeing whether or not we're going to pursue a bond anticipatory note to Bridges to the actual bonding of that but. 00:01:21
We have our architectural representatives going over that building and actually taking a second survey among the administrative 00:01:30
staff that would be moving over to the building. And we have our representatives from Envoy also going over the floor plans and 00:01:36
and seeing who's going to move first. 00:01:42
The goal at this point in time, the intention is to close on that property by the end of November and first quarter of 2025. The 00:01:50
third floor over there will be vacated and we can begin to move some folks over. So Rick, did I hit all the highlights on that? 00:01:58
OK, we got the thumbs up on that, which is good. OK, so Denise is now alive, is that correct, Denise? 00:02:06
Yes, I'm here. Apparently the audio is not working, but that's OK. 00:02:14
OK, but you can hear us through a cell phone at this moment. 00:02:20
No, I am on my laptop and I can see you all. 00:02:24
But the audio isn't. We can hear you, so are you able to hear us? 00:02:29
Yes, sounds like OK, so that was number 2 on the agenda. We'll go back up to one and hear from our Baker Tilly representative. 00:02:36
Think is Paige with this today this. 00:02:41
Yes, I'm here. OK, you are up. 00:02:48
OK, I'm going to share my screen. 00:02:51
Because we have an updated budget summary for you. 00:02:54
And hopefully you have a copy also in front of you. This is dated August 26th. So yesterday I got some additional information from 00:02:59
the auditor's office. In addition, we did update your local income tax numbers. Unfortunately, your local income tax certified 00:03:06
shares did go down a little bit. 00:03:12
Umm it looks like it went down about 300,000 so about 4.6% but your edit shares did go up. 00:03:20
So and then there were some adjustments to the budget. So let's just look at the summary of the 2025 budget. Looking at the 00:03:31
general fund, we are estimating receipts of 22.6 million roughly disbursements right now as they stand is 24,000,500 and 70,887. 00:03:41
So this budget can be funded, but Please note, and that's in column E and that highlighted in yellow you would be using. 00:03:51
$2,000,000 of cash reserves to fund this budget if you should spend the entire budget. 00:04:01
That would take you down to a cash reserve of 6.2%. That is lower than the recommended minimum floor, which is 15%. It does look 00:04:08
better since the last time that we we did this update. So it's, it's getting better. We're just still, we just have that cash flow 00:04:17
deficit. Again, you can fund the budget, but just be advised that you would be utilizing cash reserves upon this project. 00:04:26
Moving on to the Cedar County economic development income tax. 00:04:36
Those revenues actually did go up a little bit for 2025 and we have the estimates right now and they're not certified, they're 00:04:41
just estimates at this point, but they should be pretty good estimates. 00:04:46
So we're looking at receipts of 4,145,000 disbursements, or at least the 2025 budget is 4.47 million. This budget as it stands now 00:04:51
can't be funded unless you don't spend all of your current year 2025 edit budget. You would need to underspend your current year 00:04:59
budget by 278,000. 00:05:08
Or reduce 2025 by 278,000 it it is showing as unfunded but again. 00:05:17
If you don't spend all of your budget this year. 00:05:25
You may be able to help to fund that. 00:05:28
Just note though too that the DLGF assumes that you'll spend 100% of your budget. Now this just doesn't happen to be one that the 00:05:30
DLGF reviews, but if there is a fund like your park fund that they do review and it shows us negative in Gateway, they will assume 00:05:37
that you're going to spend 100% of your 2024 budget. So they may cut it if you don't cut it before it gets to them. I just wanted 00:05:44
to let you know that. 00:05:51
We've got several funds that are looking good. 00:05:59
There they have positive net cash flow and their cash reserves are above the recommended minimum and that would be. 00:06:03
The local public health services fund, which is a new fund, local Word St. motor vehicle highway, motor vehicle highway restricted 00:06:13
park, non reverting, and reassessment all look pretty good. We get down to Park and Rec, which is fund #1219. That fund also is 00:06:21
showing that it can't be funded. It's pretty close. 00:06:29
There's a deficit of $22,305.00 that cannot be funded, but really? 00:06:38
A negative net cash flow is what I tend to focus on the most because that means that you're over budgeting your receipts and that 00:06:45
is by about 115,000. 00:06:50
So that one needs a little bit of work park non regarding if you're like most counties, you can only spend what you have. So 00:06:56
although you have over budgeted by almost 100,000, I'm I'm assuming that you just won't spend it if you don't get that additional 00:07:02
revenue, that's typically what happens. 00:07:07
Statewide 911 looking good, positive net cash flow, about a 25% cash reserve, so that's good. 00:07:14
Your judicial lit, your judicial local income tax, it has a positive net cash flow and the budget can't be funded. It's just that 00:07:22
cash reserve is a little concerning. It's, it's only .2%, but I mean it, it certainly can be funded and you're budgeting within 00:07:30
your receipts. Something to look at there maybe is to try to get the cash reserve up to at least 15%. 00:07:38
The next one is the LIP correctional rehabilitation facilities, that one is unfunded right now by 868,276. So that's that's 00:07:48
probably the, the biggest issue we have at this point is the amount that's unfunded there in that particular box. 00:07:59
The last two funds look good, positive net cash flow, good reserves. So that's the update that I have. I did include with the 00:08:11
schedule just since your general fund is your largest one, we did include an updated cash flow for you. 00:08:18
And we included that Community Foundation County special rate. 00:08:28
Line 11, where before that would be you would have some monies transferred out. If you look on line 33, transfer to employee 00:08:33
benefits, that would get transferred out to a fund and then that Community Foundation money would get transferred to a fund and 00:08:39
then all the benefits would get paid off of that fund. My understanding is starting in 2025, you're just going to have that 00:08:45
Community Foundation. 00:08:51
Spend rate come directly into the general fund and then all of the employee benefits listed on line 27 would be going out of that 00:08:58
fund, which is really a better way to do it. 00:09:03
And it really, you know, to Denise's point, a few meetings back is, you know, kind of restating and being able to see really what 00:09:09
is going on in this fund. So, so I like that. I think that looks good. 00:09:15
We will update your financial plan as soon as you finalize your budget budgets after you adopt, we will finalize your financial 00:09:22
plan so that you have a, a document that finalizes everything. But again, it's kind of a working, it's a work in progress. We can 00:09:30
update it whenever things come up. I know that, you know, there's a possibility of maybe reallocating some local income tax rates. 00:09:37
That's something we can push through this model to help you. 00:09:44
Planning process. 00:09:52
So that's all I had. I'm open to any questions that you might have. 00:09:54
Hey, this is John Shellenberger, Commissioner. 00:09:59
So what number did you use? Did you use any of the 2025 or did you use 2024 numbers in order to get this? 00:10:02
We use 2025 proposed budgets as they stand now. 00:10:11
OK, so this includes the sheriff's contracts? Yes, Yes, it does. 00:10:17
So. 00:10:24
I have a couple questions that you showed us the 3.5 million spin rate, that spin rate is going to be 4 million. So I mean that's 00:10:26
another half $1,000,000. I think we should get that in our estimate. 00:10:32
Sure we can. We can increase that. 00:10:40
OK, I think the auditor's office have suggested using 3.5 to be conservative. But if, if, if a consistent consensus is 4 million, 00:10:43
we can absolutely. 00:10:48
And then? 00:10:55
I'd like to stay see it stay at 35 and then if it comes in at 4. 00:10:57
Will try to boost our cash reserves. I called, I can, I can send you an e-mail. I actually talked to Linda at Community Foundation 00:11:01
and it's going to be 3.999. They've already got it calculated for 25. So I can send you that e-mail. That's Denise. That's, that's 00:11:09
what we're getting this year. That's what we're getting at the end of this year. That's not 25's number. 00:11:18
No, that's 25 minutes. 00:11:28
24 numbers are 4.1. 00:11:31
I can send you the e-mail. 00:11:34
I've reached out. 00:11:36
So. 00:11:40
The other thing that I was wondering is I was looking at the. 00:11:42
Employee benefits that are now in the general fund. 00:11:49
And the. 00:11:55
The health care. 00:11:59
For 2024. 00:12:02
Are $3.7 million. 00:12:04
And then in 2025, they go down to. 00:12:08
I think 3,000,000, is that right guys? 00:12:13
3 million was budgeted because that's what we're on track for this year. 00:12:17
Right. And my to my point exactly Danny, I think maybe we should consider. 00:12:22
The appropriating $700,000 to make our cash balance for this year look more appropriate to where it's going to come in. 00:12:29
Again, I'm not in favor of that until we settle. 00:12:44
In December, that's. 00:12:47
I'm not prepared to do that yet because. 00:12:50
We're we're estimating out what's you know. 00:12:53
How we're going to finish so well, but if you. 00:12:56
If you look even 3,000,000 is. 00:12:59
Very a very conservative number. 00:13:03
It's likely to come in based on year to date August numbers much less than that. 00:13:08
I mean, I think we're doing a really, really good job with our healthcare this year, so. 00:13:14
Anyways, a recommendation, you know, it's, it's up for whatever everybody else thinks, but it will give us a little more lead way 00:13:21
in the general fund. 00:13:27
With our ending balance cash. 00:13:34
I have a question. I I saw some blank. 00:13:38
Faces on this influx of the three and a half million from the Community Foundation Council. So if you can just explain the. 00:13:43
Origin of that one more time just. 00:13:50
That's our, that's our spin rate from. 00:13:52
What? What most people in the public consider hospital money, Right. I want to get under that on the record. Right, Right. Yeah. 00:13:57
So we still have. 00:14:00
Around $80 million invested in Community Foundation. It's their money, not ours, but we get a spend rate. 00:14:05
Of around. 00:14:12
A Max of 5% per year, so. 00:14:13
That's that's what, that's what that figure is OK. 00:14:16
And traditionally it has gone to employee. 00:14:20
To shore up that. 00:14:22
And then one other thing while while we're talking about health care, Yeah, the 1st. 00:14:25
I mean, 2024 to date has looked good, you know. 00:14:29
Pray and you hope that the rest of the year looks as good, but I'd still like to get that money that. 00:14:33
Belongs in that non reverting fund transferred over officially. 00:14:39
The whole idea was that we're going to have good years and bad years on that and. 00:14:44
So I would hate for us to not have that in the non reverting part of the fund where it belongs and then have a bad year and come 00:14:49
up against, I think we were waiting just to make sure No 23. 00:14:55
Bills were coming through and then. 00:15:01
We were going to do that. So what's the? 00:15:04
Deadline What if we go ahead and move the 700,000? 00:15:06
Into that fund now. 00:15:11
How much did we agree to put into that fund? I know we did agree to that. 00:15:18
I think the amount owed was roughly 700,000 correct on it. 00:15:23
Yeah, yeah. 00:15:29
So I don't know. Michelle is here. She thinks it was about 530. 00:15:32
2000 SO. 00:15:36
OK. 00:15:41
That would be put that on September. Yeah, you're right. I mean you never, if Michelle can get you the exact number and we can put 00:15:42
that on your September agenda to do that like let's get that in the lock box, I think. 00:15:47
I'd like to. I'd like to do that too. 00:15:55
We can put that on the agenda for September. OK. John, did you have something else for Paige? Yeah. 00:15:57
Got a couple questions. 00:16:04
The cares money is a line item in the county general, is that correct? 00:16:07
No. 00:16:15
No, it's not. It's it's all. It's in rainy day. I mean, it's in. 00:16:17
It's a rainy day in that right? 00:16:22
The CARES Act money, I think that it went to General and then it got transferred to Rainy Day. That's my recollection. Yes, I 00:16:27
believe that. 00:16:32
It's OK. 00:16:39
OK. That was my concern. OK, thank you. 00:16:46
All right, go ahead. I do. I do have one more question. So can we go back to your screenshot for one more time? It looks at the 00:16:49
cash balance at the end of 2025. 00:16:57
Or general. 00:17:06
Work. Yeah, General go back to the top on the summary, the very first. 00:17:07
So we're going to have $1.5 million still left in our general fund at the end of 2025 going into 2026. 00:17:14
Which is? It sounds good, but. 00:17:26
That really doesn't get us through the first six months until we get another distribution of taxes. Is that am I saying that 00:17:30
right? 00:17:36
Hey, yes, Denise, we can't make it through the first six months. Yeah, that's correct. And that's what all comes back to those 00:17:43
cash reserves. You know, we talk about 15% being the floor. Well, that's only 2 1/2 months of cash reserves. Really you should be 00:17:49
around 2530% so that you do have enough to make it until June. 00:17:56
This just what you were saying would only be 6%. So you're right, Denise, if it's not, it's not really enough to make it through. 00:18:03
You'd have to temporarily borrow from other funds. Well, and if that's OK to do stick a pin in that we're gonna we're gonna talk 00:18:08
about that a little bit more, repay it by the end of the year. 00:18:13
And we do have rainy day funds. 00:18:19
You can count on, I mean sitting there, but I just wanted to point out that. 00:18:21
We do still have a cash flow problem here. We need to make sure that on a go forward basis, whether that be in 2025 or in 2026 00:18:27
that our revenues match our distributions, at least match our distributions. 00:18:36
Paige, can you can you hang out for just a minute? 00:18:45
We're going to talk about some of these rates real quick. Yes, Yep, staying in Diane, can you all come up and. 00:18:48
Yeah, if you want to put. 00:18:56
Four and even 5 ahead of three on this agenda. That's fine. I mean, it's, it's a loose agenda. So we had Baker Tillery Chase 00:18:57
building his judicial center. 00:19:02
You know, touch on this again, we, we mentioned it back, you know, before summer and then it's. 00:19:16
Come back up again in a different iteration. So if you want to come up and. 00:19:22
This is the information that was. 00:19:29
Emailed out earlier today and again, it's just been an ongoing conversation. 00:19:31
So it's nothing that has to be. 00:19:36
Information wasn't withheld until today. Information was just finalized. 00:19:40
That everybody agreed on so. 00:19:44
I know that some of this information was broached briefly at the. 00:19:47
We'll call it a financial overview with Baker Tilly in July that I was absent toward being out in country. 00:19:54
And all the taxi districts were notified that there could be a potential adjustment prior to August 1st of this year. So this is a 00:20:00
conversation that can be had a. 00:20:05
Currently. 00:20:11
There exists multiple different lids in this county. 00:20:12
Judicially, you have what is commonly known as the jail lit, but has a much longer more formal name. You have your PTR lit, which 00:20:15
is actually called the property tax relief lit. So it is a LIT. So local income taxes with lit is my apologies. 00:20:23
It's a local income tax that actually goes. 00:20:33
And processes through settlement twice a year. So my office collects an income tax on a monthly basis that they then distribute to 00:20:36
the taxing districts through settlement in June and December. Now this this lit I. 00:20:44
Has nothing whatsoever to do with. 00:20:53
To do with the taxing raises it. 00:20:57
Affects the circuit Breakers is what it affects. It's also a lit that is very specific as to who it benefits, so the PTR lit can 00:21:00
only be distributed to one. 00:21:06
Dwelling owners. 00:21:13
Residing within Floyd County so you have to only own one house. 00:21:15
And you have to live. 00:21:19
In that house in Floyd County, there are a number of benefits that have occurred this year and next year that are also going to 00:21:21
be. 00:21:25
A positive for those types of homeowners in this area. I don't know if anyone noticed, but your mortgage deduction dropped off of 00:21:30
your property taxes this year if you have a mortgage. And that's because that mortgage deduction was lumped into your homestead, 00:21:36
your primary, not your supplemental, your primary homestead deduction. 00:21:42
Went up by $3000 as opposed to you only getting that 3000 additional break if you had a mortgage. So even homeowners with a paid 00:21:48
off home are now benefited benefiting from that additional $3000 off. And then majority of homes also qualify for a supplemental 00:21:55
homestead which is a percentage based break as well. 00:22:01
Additionally, the the way assessments are. 00:22:09
Going to be changing over the next year. 00:22:13
For lack of a better way to describe it without getting into the nitty gritty, if the structure on your property in addition to 00:22:17
your home is not livable, it is no longer part of that assessment. So there are a lot of things that are benefiting our homeowners 00:22:23
and our taxpayers through the state here recently, which makes it to where and I did send an e-mail out earlier and I know that it 00:22:30
was a very short notice e-mail and I apologize. 00:22:37
But like I mentioned in the e-mail, Stanley and I have been bouncing this around between us and the state for nearly three months 00:22:44
just because we know that there's a cash flow problem. 00:22:49
In our county, and we know that there are already some tools in place that could provide partial solutions. 00:22:54
So the rate that the PTR is set at for this county could actually be. 00:23:02
Divided between. 00:23:08
Our judicial lit raising it to seven. 00:23:11
And our jail lit raising it to a. 00:23:15
.27. 00:23:20
Yeah, sorry. Yeah, Well, no, it's .07 and then .27. Yes. 00:23:22
By getting rid of the PR you can spread that between there you wind up with no cash flow problem for the jail lit, you're able to 00:23:30
offload almost a million more dollars out of the general fund and into the judicial IT, which I promise you I could spend. 00:23:37
Because we don't have nearly the amount of finances on boarded onto the judicial that we could do. You can do up to 50% of 00:23:44
salaries and contract workers for all court associated employees. That includes all the employees of the courts. They're Pro Tem 00:23:51
judges. They're guardian ad litems. That includes the prosecutor's office, the public defender's office, the public defender's 00:23:57
contracted public defenders. 00:24:04
Includes the caseworkers that are primarily paid. 00:24:12
For out of the general fund in probation, so there are there are so many other things that we can cover using judicial lit that 00:24:14
takes it out of the general fund and helps that cash flow problem. So in the e-mail that Stan and I have put together for you all, 00:24:20
it kind of goes over some of those basics I would very much. 00:24:26
Highly encourage you to consider these options to take a look at the lid. 00:24:35
To speak to Baker Tilly about an analysis and how that would affect not just our income flow, but the potential circuit breaker 00:24:40
effect that it would have on our property taxes because they can provide that information. There is some of that information 00:24:45
already included in the e-mail that we sent you and some of the attachments. The person we worked with closest at the state level 00:24:50
is Fred Van Dorf. 00:24:55
And I don't know if many any of you know that name, but in my world and then Stanley's world, that name is like a St. 00:25:01
He's he was my personal superhero all year long. Last year, if I picked up the phone to call somebody, it was Fred. 00:25:10
And he he knew my phone number. 00:25:17
How often I called him he is. 00:25:19
He's a budget wizard. Everyone who works with county finances knows this man's name and respects his his knowledge base and his 00:25:23
opinion. And in fact, when when Stanley had his conversation with him very recently about some of these things, he was baffled 00:25:31
that we were looking at a lid adjustment that was tax based, neutral, something that didn't raise taxes at all. 00:25:39
Something that would help. 00:25:48
Fix our cash flow problems, but also not be impactful to our taxpayers so that they weren't. 00:25:51
Feeling an additional burden for? 00:25:59
Some challenges that we face as a county. 00:26:02
I know I've mentioned this off and on for a couple months to numerous different elected officials. 00:26:06
And this is specific to the County Council. 00:26:12
Your job as the County Council is to make sure that our county finances are healthy. 00:26:16
That we are in a safe place as far as our county finances are concerned. And why I keep emphasizing county is that is the level of 00:26:21
government that you are at. You are not at a district level. You are at a county level. I'm at a county level. Your job is to make 00:26:29
sure the county finances are where they should be. And I would charge you to make sure that you're doing everything you can. 00:26:38
To to make sure that not only are we. 00:26:48
Being fiscally responsible with the finances available to us, but that we're also being good stewards of it. 00:26:51
This is part of that, reevaluating levees and lit rates and looking at the circuit Breakers and seeing what effect is going to be 00:27:01
the best with what we already have to work with. 00:27:05
If you have additional questions, I'm happy to address them. I know that we gave Paige a heads up yesterday that we were going to 00:27:11
send out this e-mail. 00:27:16
They are awaiting instruction if an analysis is requested by the county. 00:27:21
Council as to how this would affect our finances and our property tax income. 00:27:26
So. 00:27:31
I would like to really thank Stan Heil and. 00:27:33
Floyd County Sheriff's Department for working very closely with me on researching this and talking about it, and Stan lets me pick 00:27:37
his brain on a daily basis. 00:27:42
So Sheriff Bush shares him with me often. 00:27:47
To just. 00:27:50
Talk numbers because there's not many people in this county who understand the county finances on that level he's. 00:27:51
Hugely valuable to us so. 00:27:59
Stan, do you have anything that or? 00:28:03
I would like to just emphasize that when we. 00:28:06
After talking with Fred and we Dining and that work to put this together, our ultimate goal was to try to keep this tax neutral 00:28:10
for residents of the weekend. 00:28:14
I think the greater impact is to the taxing districts, but as Mr. Van Dorf explained, with the impacts of the changes, 00:28:19
specifically the homestead. 00:28:24
Increase and the taking off of non livable spaces that have been previously assessed. 00:28:31
As well as the circuit breaker impacts. 00:28:36
Specifically in District 8, which is the New Albany city, though the pain or the the impact of the adjustments to the tax bills 00:28:39
will be as minimized as possible in this period of time. 00:28:45
Page. Do you have anything to add? 00:28:54
The only thing I would add is, is something that the auditor alluded to was that, you know, if you eliminate that property tax 00:28:59
relief rate, there is that potential to increase circuit breaker tax credits. So I would just say, you know, I, I would strongly 00:29:06
recommend an analysis of that to see because it will chip in or it will cut into your property tax revenue and be a direct 00:29:13
reduction of your property tax revenue. 00:29:20
For instance, in your general fund, you're not collecting about, I think it's about 400,000. So that could go up and and it could 00:29:28
be significant. I don't know, we'd have to do the analysis, but hopefully there's a net benefit from doing all this. But just keep 00:29:34
that in mind, that kind of a set back, a little bit of a set back might be the fact that you're not going to collect as much 00:29:40
property tax in your property tax supported funds. 00:29:47
Can you send me paperwork on that and I'll present it to the council and get it back to you? 00:29:54
Sure, sure. Yeah. 00:29:58
I have a couple questions. So is this something that we can do this year and what is the timetable? It's all that if it's all 00:30:01
before the end of October? 00:30:07
It can be done because notice was sent to the taxing districts that lit rates could be adjusted prior to August 1st and as long as 00:30:13
everything is filed by the 1st of November, we can start the. 00:30:19
Adjusted collections January 1 of next year. 00:30:26
That's correct. 00:30:31
OK. And the impacts are on the townships and wobbly? 00:30:34
Pratt City, is that correct? That is correct. 00:30:41
OK. 00:30:45
OK. 00:30:47
Well, yes, I we we have to see the analysis before we can make any decisions. 00:30:48
Yeah, we need to move forward. 00:30:56
Anyone have any further questions for these three? 00:30:58
I was still curious. I didn't get that finish up with Paige when the numbers and and you'll as well. So all those extra benefits 00:31:02
that weren't included for the uh. 00:31:07
Sheriff's Department the two contracts all the. 00:31:14
Umm, well, we got that preferred comp match and uniforms that all got added and that's included in this budget and it's got added, 00:31:19
yes, because, right. I didn't think they were before. That's why I wanted to. 00:31:26
Budget submission because the Sheriff's Department submitted their budget based on the contracts they were presenting, so. 00:31:33
Anything else? 00:31:47
Anything further on there, we appreciate it. Thank you. 00:31:49
Hey, Catherine, can you get an analysis back to us because it does seem like we have a short period to react here. 00:31:54
Yes, there is a short period to react and unfortunately this type of analysis because it's circuit breaker, we have to do a parcel 00:32:02
by parcel analysis. I mean, I know it could take up to four weeks. And I was just thinking in the back of my mind, I really need 00:32:09
to try to expedite it. We, we actually used a company called Policy Analytics to help us with that because it's so much data 00:32:17
manipulation doing the parcel. I mean, we have to recalculate the tax bills for every single parcel. So I would say. 00:32:24
Four weeks as best is probably worst case, I hope, and we would just try to expedite it because I know you guys need that 00:32:32
information. So I'm going to get the agreement out to Danny as soon as possible, but it will take some time. We can't turn it 00:32:38
around right away, but we know you need it, so we'll do the best we can. 00:32:44
OK, we can work with that. 00:32:50
Danny, you want to roll this into the? 00:32:53
Sheriff's Department contracts. 00:32:55
Yeah. 00:32:58
So, you know part of what was just presented, and I know we haven't. 00:33:00
We still need the analysis. 00:33:05
Part of this was, you know, funding for. 00:33:08
The sheriff's contracts. 00:33:11
That were passed by the commissioners so. 00:33:13
I know we were looking for funding sources. 00:33:18
They were. 00:33:20
Looking for information so this is. 00:33:24
This is what? 00:33:27
We've been working on and. 00:33:28
And, and we don't have a full form tonight, but. 00:33:31
We can discuss it. We can. 00:33:37
Vote on it again. 00:33:39
I'd like to. 00:33:42
I'd like to say that I still have a problem. 00:33:45
With the deferred comp in particular, and I sent out an e-mail, there's a few other items that I'm. 00:33:50
Specifically, have a problem with and I. 00:33:57
I really would like. 00:34:01
I don't know if most people know this and I did say it in my e-mail, but we find pensions for the police. 00:34:04
Police officers already at the tune of I think it was 1.5 this year and 1.7 budgeted for next year and. 00:34:14
Two, I would love to be able to do this the first time. 00:34:26
But they already have a sweet deal with pensions. 00:34:31
I really think we need to take that off the table for both of the contracts until we are ready to offer this to. 00:34:36
All the employees, it's going to open the door it is. And I would love to be able to open that door for our employees and have 00:34:45
give them the ability to have a very nice retirement with a get ready to do that. But I just don't think we're ready for that this 00:34:52
year. So I just like to state that publicly. 00:34:59
And and and actually just ask that we go back. 00:35:09
To the bargaining table and ask for that to be changed or amendment, you know, at the end. However, that needs to be handled 00:35:14
briefly. I don't know. 00:35:19
Well, I think we are ready for it and I don't know how much of a sweet deal. 00:35:27
Police officers getting retirement because their their average lifespan is about 8 years shorter than the average citizen. 00:35:32
So that doesn't sound like a real sweet deal to me, but. 00:35:39
I'm ready to move forward with it. 00:35:44
I'll make a motion to table this until. 00:35:48
The Council meeting so that we can have further discussion about. 00:35:53
Changes that I feel still need to be made, so I'll make that motion to table this until our council meeting. 00:35:58
I'll second that motion. 00:36:05
We have a motion in a second. Any discussion on that? 00:36:07
All in favor of tabling say aye. 00:36:12
Aye, all opposed. 00:36:16
No, that fails. 00:36:18
Denise, you do realize that that's been in their contract. It's just a money change. 00:36:29
For years. 00:36:35
And the purpose? 00:36:40
To increase it is to. 00:36:42
We've got a great team of officers. 00:36:49
Already we've got disagree with that. We have a great team. I didn't say that you did. 00:36:53
Listen. 00:37:00
I'm trying to explain the thought process behind why we did this. 00:37:02
You have a great team of Corrections and merit officers. 00:37:08
This gives them a little more. 00:37:16
Feeling of professionalism, Feeling of inclusion. 00:37:20
Just, I don't know, you know, when they're vested a little bit more. 00:37:24
And if we're willing to match more? 00:37:30
I think it just creates. 00:37:34
More of a morale, more of a team. Not that it's already a great team, but it's, it's just kind of a, a, I don't know. 00:37:36
Come work for Floyd County. Don't look at Indiana State, don't look at the Federal, don't look at Jeff, don't look at whatever. 00:37:46
Floyd County is where you want to be. 00:37:51
Because we've got a great program. 00:37:57
We've, you know, we try really hard to take care of the officers. And I think it just kind of is an added, hey, I want to stay at 00:38:00
Floyd County and not look elsewhere. 00:38:04
To be a police officer. 00:38:10
That would be my main reason. Anything you said. 00:38:13
What I disagree with is that we have a budget without revenue to match it. And yes, we may have enough to pay for that for next 00:38:16
year, but the position that we're putting ourselves in is not healthy. And until we can make sure that we have a revenue stream 00:38:26
that matches our expenses, I don't think we should be doing these kind of things. Do I want to? 00:38:36
I really do want to, but at what cost? We may not have an answer on revenue until the end of October. 00:38:46
Long after our budgets are due. 00:38:54
But then what do we what, when? When do we have to have this? 00:38:58
As soon as possible. As soon as possible. 00:39:03
Before before budgets are approved. 00:39:12
And every employee in this county is offered deferred comp. This is not like it's a new. 00:39:16
A new thing that. 00:39:22
That we're talking about some kind of new. I understand that, Dan. I understand that. 00:39:24
I think there's some other things that also need to be looked at, but this is the one that paints me most I think. 00:39:33
I will. 00:39:41
Weigh in if that was the mindset that were. 00:39:42
We're not going to do things until we can sustain it and fund it. 00:39:47
Then we would never do anything, like I've said before, with the wages of the county workers. 00:39:52
And everyone I always say it was. 00:39:58
Lack of less than responsible for counseling and commissioners of times past, but that's why we're here as with the. 00:40:01
Especially with the county workers, the. 00:40:10
The support staff and the auditor's office assessor, so we know all over. 00:40:13
And we did vote to give them a raise. We didn't have a funding source. I admit I was one of those that did that. But I felt like 00:40:18
it's the right thing to do. I think this is the right thing to do. 00:40:23
And also I'll just make a statement as I said in the other meeting that. 00:40:29
The contract has already been negotiated. The Commissioner signed off on it. 00:40:34
It's not time to renegotiate the contract now. It's already, I mean, in fact, I was telling somebody yesterday that the reason why 00:40:41
you have a committee of Corrections and police and. 00:40:47
This body and the commissioners is we don't want 140 police officers and corrections officers and 10 people sitting in a room 00:40:53
trying to negotiate a contract, but that'd be total anarchy in my view. 00:40:59
So with the contracts already been signed. 00:41:05
And it's this is not the appropriate time to renegotiate the contract in my mind. We did this two months ago. 00:41:08
We approve DMS service. 00:41:15
For 25 and 26. 00:41:17
And somebody else wasn't put on it. Why? 00:41:21
Jim recused himself after the negotiations had started. I'm not sure what benefit it was for an extra council person to be put on 00:41:26
when the commissioners are the ones negotiating that contract. 00:41:31
OK, Well, we don't have the votes to pass this tonight, I don't think. If you guys want to make a motion, then make a motion. 00:41:40
We need more data. 00:41:51
We need to understand that we have the revenues, just important. 00:41:53
It's another $1,000,000 to the bottom line. 00:41:56
Yeah, that's a million this year. That'll be 1.5 the following year because there'll be another round of increases too. So it. 00:42:02
Deficit for 2026 and even more. 00:42:09
And I really want to get there. I do want to get there, and I think I might get there. I'm just not. 00:42:14
Ready yet? I'm not saying no. I'm just not saying I'm not there. What else do you need to get there? Because you are saying no. 00:42:19
This is the second time you've said no. 00:42:23
No, I'm not. And you know that Danny, so you need to like. 00:42:30
Anyway. 00:42:38
So I'm not saying that. I'm saying I think we need to do a little more work on it. I personally believe we do. And I think we need 00:42:39
to understand these revenues. 00:42:44
And I don't know if we're gonna end of September, we should have some numbers. 00:42:50
So I'm not saying no, I'm just saying. 00:42:56
Let's wait. Let's make sure we're doing the right thing. I wish the commissioners would have waited too, but they didn't. 00:43:00
So that's where we're at, and I'm sorry I'm having to be hard about this, but. 00:43:07
This is the way I feel about this one. 00:43:14
I'm sorry you feel that way. You know, we were chastised at the end of last year for reducing the building authorities budget 00:43:19
because that was not in our purview. That's a commissioner purview. And that's exactly what we're doing here. Go ahead. 00:43:25
So are you? 00:43:31
It is when it's. 00:43:34
The council has a purview over there getting anywhere. We're just sitting here in a public meeting arguing we're in discussion 00:43:36
totally. 00:43:39
Yeah. So you, are you asking that we go back to the negotiation table with both contracts is, is that what you're waiting on? 00:43:43
I would love to see that. 00:43:54
That's not going to happen exactly. We can. We can put it on the September agenda again. 00:43:56
I I'd like to wait till the end of September until we get the numbers. I can guarantee you it's going to come up for a vote at the 00:44:03
September meeting. 00:44:06
I'm going to make that promise. 00:44:10
We have budget and hearings mid-september. Denise, how is the Sheriff's Department going to budget for 25? 00:44:12
They already have, honey. They already have. Yeah, and they're kind of in limbo. 00:44:21
Because. 00:44:28
The contracts are in the air. 00:44:30
So they really can't do that. I mean, they they can't finalize their budget without knowing whether the contracts can be approved 00:44:33
or not. 00:44:37
I'm kind of sensing an impasse. Yeah, we'll move on. So. 00:44:42
Sounds like that will return in September, so. 00:44:47
The last thing that would be primarily under the council's purview today is the EMS Public Safety lit discussion. 00:44:51
I yeah, I mean, we're. 00:45:02
We're at decision time is along with every other. 00:45:04
Rate issue that we're talking about. So you know we've got to the end of October to to make a decision. 00:45:08
One way or the other, or. 00:45:16
None of the above, so I. 00:45:18
I feel like the consensus from what I'm hearing is for the EMS. 00:45:23
Lit at some some type of. 00:45:30
For some type of duration but those details if anybody feels different then. 00:45:34
Speak up now, but I feel like that's the way. 00:45:42
Conversations have been. 00:45:45
Leading SO. 00:45:46
And I think that in those conversations. 00:45:50
And I guess what I would like to see is. 00:45:55
Out maybe you can address this because I think you're the one that talked with the mayor. We're likely not to get any kind of 00:46:01
interlocal agreement. 00:46:05
Put together before we make a decision here, but is it? 00:46:09
Prudent of us. 00:46:15
To put an ordinance together that states what we plan to do with the monies that are collected from the New Albany citizens. 00:46:17
Constituents. 00:46:30
Yeah, You know, I, I talked to the mayor informally about that and. 00:46:32
At this point. 00:46:39
An interlocal agreement would probably not move forward. I still think it's the will of these two bodies, as well as the right 00:46:40
thing to do to make sure that the tax money that is extracted from the people of New Albany has returned to them at least. 00:46:48
In the form of covering their EMS code coverage. Rick and I had talked about whether we needed a formal ordinance to do that. 00:46:58
Or a resolution, you know, just some sort of public statement of how we would do that. So Rick, I don't know whether. 00:47:08
Or not. You'd had any further thoughts on ordinance versus resolution as long as we had a formal agreement that we were going to 00:47:14
be doing that? 00:47:18
The chief thing in my mind or two, one that I've already mentioned, is that money needs to go back to the taxpayers who paid it, 00:47:22
but #2 it has to do so in a way that satisfies the State Board of accounts with regards to the EMS lit, which I believe states 00:47:28
that that can only be spent for emergency medical services. So. 00:47:34
Is Rick talking? I can't. Yeah. And Rick is now making his way to the microphone. 00:47:43
OK, OK. 00:47:56
In terms of working out the the issues of an agreement. 00:47:59
Whether it be a resolution or ordinance, Shane Gibson and I can work that out. 00:48:04
It was my understanding that the mayor did not want to enter into an agreement with the county. 00:48:09
So if. 00:48:15
If the county and the mayor. 00:48:17
And enter into an agreement. We'll be more than happy to make it work, but until I get something on my desk that. 00:48:20
Here's our agreement. 00:48:28
Draft anything up and Shane can't be involved either. 00:48:30
Well, then we need to make a formal ask for the agreement then. So I mean, I think. 00:48:34
It could be largely unilateral. 00:48:40
I mean as long as they sign off on. 00:48:42
What we need on their end to answer to the State Board of Accounts. 00:48:45
I mean, that's, that's my my. 00:48:51
Whatever we need to do needs to be fair to the taxpayers of Romney. It needs to be above board with the State Board of Accounts. 00:48:53
So I understand, but the executive has to be on board with. 00:48:57
Putting this together. 00:49:03
Well, let me I'm just gonna add some information for you. 00:49:04
Wasn't public knowledge because I was just kind of trying to feel my way around it. I. 00:49:09
Myself and Danny did meet with the mayor. 00:49:18
I felt like he needed a heads up on where we were looking to go with this lit stuff. 00:49:22
I wanted to get his thoughts. 00:49:28
So I. 00:49:32
I worked on getting a meeting with the mayor and he agreed to meet with Janie and myself. Umm. 00:49:34
So, you know, if you would like for me to be in those discussions, he has opened his door to more discussions with us. 00:49:41
I would Danny myself would love to be a part of that I. 00:49:52
That way, everybody's on the same page and we can hopefully, you know, come to an agreement and work together between the city and 00:49:57
the county, especially for the CMS deal. And he is very open. The mayor is very open to doing what's right for the constituents. 00:50:04
I think the City Council is going to have to end up passing whatever this is and that will need to be, it's an ordinance. Then the 00:50:13
mayor would have to sign the ordinance. He would either. 00:50:19
Sign it or veto it. 00:50:26
So that's the way the city's. 00:50:28
Operation works with regards to getting those things approved. 00:50:33
Again, I'm ready to sit down. I think we need. 00:50:36
As we have, as long as we have a representative of our executive body and part of that. 00:50:43
I spoke to him the night the night of our last discussion on this. Well, how about I reach out to mayor? 00:50:46
Again. 00:50:54
And Jason, would you like to join myself and Danny? I'd be happy because I, I gotta say, we were a real unique place to really 00:50:56
truly solve this problem for everybody in the county. That includes the residents of New Albany. So I think that would be great. 00:51:02
I'd be happy to. OK, I will reach out. I will reach out to the mayor and see if you can throw together another meeting with with 00:51:09
us. Rick, would you like Shane and yourself to be there as well? 00:51:15
That Shane and myself be a party to this so that we can make sure that we end up getting the thing drafted properly and you know, 00:51:22
Shameless certainly has the mayor's ear. 00:51:28
Yes. 00:51:33
With with the. 00:51:35
You know, shame. 00:51:36
Telling mayor that this. 00:51:39
Right. 00:51:41
Yeah, well, I will. I will do that tomorrow morning and and we'll work on getting the time for all of us to get together. 00:51:43
We'll we'll go ahead. I was gonna say we will add the. 00:51:51
The lit possibilities. 00:51:56
Next meeting, I believe we've already. 00:51:59
The next council meeting. 00:52:03
Rick. 00:52:06
I want to ask a question 2 questions. 00:52:07
John, his question, OK. 00:52:12
Last question, Rick. So these negotiations you'll come back to the to the commissioners, so that way we can sign off on what the 00:52:17
rate is and all that before we. 00:52:23
Before before you all give a formal on it. 00:52:29
OK, I want to make sure that the commissioners are involved in the. 00:52:33
Final product before it's it's approved. The commissioners are the executive and the legislative branch. 00:52:36
Only the commissioners that can approve. I just want to make sure that we don't have a unilateral agreement and then we come back 00:52:44
or three of us don't like it. So it's the commissioners on the county level and then on the city level. 00:52:50
Council and the mayor are players in approving it there. 00:53:00
John, the only thing I wanted to do is offer that. 00:53:06
Relationship. 00:53:09
I know it's been hard to get that relationship with the mayor and I understand. I just want to make sure that. 00:53:11
Y'all don't negotiate. I wanna make, I wanna see the product before we no or drop something. Yeah. So so you all being the 00:53:17
commissioners, being both the executive and the legislature. 00:53:22
Legislative branch cover that function, whereas the cities like the state government, they're separated, so you have to have both 00:53:29
parties involved in order to get. 00:53:34
I get it resolved and unless for example the. 00:53:40
The City Council approved it and the mayor vetoed it, and then the City Council overrode the veto. 00:53:46
What's your deadline for passage on that issue? 00:53:55
End of October. They're all end of October. 00:53:58
Halloween. 00:54:02
So I mean whether we, whether we have an agreement or I think it needs to be passed. 00:54:03
I have two more questions. Does it make any sense at all to go ahead and draft up a outline of a ordinance? 00:54:11
That can be sort of taken with you so that. 00:54:22
It's. I mean, you're working from a document. 00:54:26
Just just a thought. 00:54:33
I have all of us on equal footing and. 00:54:36
Build the building together. Together. Yes, I agree with you, Rick. 00:54:40
Is it time to take public safety off the table and assume we're going to move forward with the EMS length? 00:54:49
I don't see anybody we need to. 00:55:02
I don't see anybody looking. 00:55:04
At public Safety at this point, so my suggestion is for the next meeting that we. 00:55:07
Only discuss the EMS lit. 00:55:12
I think our attorney is going to do some work on some. 00:55:16
Documents force for. 00:55:19
Some different options and then. 00:55:22
We'll go from there. Have you informed the mayor that that is off the table yet? 00:55:25
No. 00:55:29
All right, any further comment on? 00:55:34
We need to start talking about what rate that would look like. 00:55:37
Yeah, we've got those. We've got those rates from Baker Tilly and what the impact and what the revenue is. So we can discuss that 00:55:41
in. 00:55:45
OK. 00:55:50
OK, All right. Judicial Center discussion and guidance, The commissioners need guidance from the Council at this point in time. 00:55:52
You guys were at the last meeting and heard the. 00:55:57
The presentation as did we with regards to the options you know available. 00:56:03
And you know. 00:56:07
We're approaching a time where we need to decide on that, so we had. 00:56:10
Partial remodel, we had a remodel on the same footprint and we had a rebuild on the same footprint. And I know where I am, but I'd 00:56:14
like to hear publicly anybody that wants to speak publicly on the matter and. 00:56:20
Anybody this is this is not a final thought on it by any means, but it's an opportunity for anybody to speak publicly and we'll 00:56:27
have public comment here momentarily but. 00:56:31
So Danny, looks like you're, can you give us the cost of each of those again, just so for the public and just to remind us. 00:56:36
I don't have the exact numbers before me, it's. 00:56:46
The partial remodel was for the two floors and not touching the first two floors was awake 18,000,000. 00:56:49
And then the remodel on the spot. 00:56:57
Was roughly 30. 00:57:00
Two or 33 million and a rebuild was 35 million. 00:57:02
Yeah. So I'm just going to. 00:57:07
I'll be the first to speak out and stick my neck out I guess, but. 00:57:09
For me, being in the real estate field, I love historic buildings, but I don't love this one. 00:57:13
Sad to say, I wish I could. 00:57:20
It's the. 00:57:24
The floor to ceiling space is not adequate. 00:57:26
The design is dated. The elevators are inadequate and not large enough. 00:57:30
So. 00:57:37
Long story short. 00:57:39
I'm for. 00:57:40
Building new in that space. 00:57:43
Tony, you. 00:57:48
Nodding the head and thought, yeah, I I concur. 00:57:50
I think right now I would have to lean forward the the rebuild on that. 00:57:55
I've always been remodeling. 00:58:03
I've said before if I was king we built a tower out front and then remodel it, but I'm not keen today. 00:58:06
But I just. 00:58:12
Personally, I don't think that. 00:58:16
Structurally, I don't think steel building is structurally sound. Is that building that's concrete and steel. And like Mr. Davis 00:58:18
said, one of our meetings, it was built during in 1961, what was going on in 1961, a Cold War, all government buildings were built 00:58:27
structurally sound. Now I know it's got height limitations, I know it's got elevator limitations, but it's for as. 00:58:36
I know we're going to move the. 00:58:46
Like everything not associated with court across the street eventually. 00:58:49
And then there was talk of possibly doing a. 00:58:54
Smaller building in the front to get the courts out of that building in. 00:58:57
Possibly demo that building are real back to you but. 00:59:00
That's just my fault, but it is. Let me revisit here. 00:59:04
Just in my construction experience, I see a lot more cost overrun in remodels than I do in new construction that has a plan and 00:59:10
has limits on certain things I see a lot more change orders on. 00:59:18
Three models than I do on new construction. 00:59:26
That's where Dale makes all of his money is on the change orders. 00:59:29
King Dale. 00:59:33
Jim, Connie, Denise from remote. Jim looks like he's gonna Yeah. So I'm always consistent. I'm always looking for saving the 00:59:35
taxpayer as much money as possible. So I I realized that the other two options. 00:59:43
I would. I want to do what's best, what the taxpayer wants. If we could keep the cost 80 million, I would. 00:59:52
That wholeheartedly, I do think in the long run it's not the best interest. But so my question is back to the to the group is if 01:00:00
we get up over this amount, is this going to go back to the taxpayers to get the vote on? Is this going to be a referendum or are 01:00:06
we deciding this ourselves? 01:00:11
If the taxpayer has a referendum and they can, they'll support it, then I'll support it. But. 01:00:18
If it's not going to go to them then I'm going to say I'd rather see a stick with the minimal cost and go with a partial. 01:00:22
Connie. 01:00:30
I missed the meeting, I was out of town, but umm. I've always been a proponent of build new. 01:00:32
I just think it's cleaner to try to puzzle piece those offices back into the current building. 01:00:38
Is is difficult for what we need? 01:00:45
Denise. 01:00:49
From afar, yeah. 01:00:51
I I think a new building is the right answer short term and long term, but. 01:00:55
I would not vote for it without a referendum. 01:01:01
So I don't know what the timing of a referendum looks like on the ballot, but this is too much money for us to spend without. 01:01:04
Going to our constituents and. 01:01:14
Asking them if this is what they want. 01:01:16
OK, so that's that's when I'm at. 01:01:20
John, I'd have to look at the figures again. It's been a while since I've looked at it. But I agree with Jim. 01:01:24
The building would be nice, but again, I think with that amount of money I think we need to have the backing up. 01:01:32
Taxpayers. 01:01:37
Well, I think a lot has changed. 01:01:41
1961 I think our needs are drastically different than what they are today. I'm absolutely in favor of building a new building and 01:01:43
not being. 01:01:47
Strained by that floor plan, the dated systems and all the other hazards associated with that building. 01:01:52
So I absolutely support the. 01:01:59
OK, well, yeah, I. 01:02:02
Shortly after that last presentation. 01:02:07
At my epiphany that we need to move forward with a new building on that same location, I think it's probably less expensive in the 01:02:11
long run per square foot to build that out versus a partial and impartial and partial. 01:02:17
And so I think that's the footing we need to move forward on and we need to look at the financing and. 01:02:25
I've not heard or figured any way to do it without a referendum at this point in time, so. 01:02:33
If we have a strong consensus that that's the way to go and a referendum is the right thing to do as well. 01:02:37
I say we move forward with it and we make our best argument and we put it for the taxpayers. 01:02:44
I would guess that we'd missed the November. 01:02:50
Oh, it's not going to be on this year's and there's not, there's not an election. 01:02:54
2626 it would be probably primary spring 26 and you know and that. 01:02:57
I've said publicly and privately multiple times, I mean, this is like, this is a decadent project. This is 18 years in the making. 01:03:05
So, so we need to have the plan going forward. And then like I said, put a good product before the people, let them decide. 01:03:11
In the meantime, I think we need to come to grips with the fact that if we're not going to break ground on a new building 01:03:18
promptly, that the old building is going to continue to need. 01:03:22
Some measure of support and it's going to continue to have. 01:03:26
Need need regularly scheduled maintenance and then the surprise maintenance as well. So I think we need to all just kind of get 01:03:33
our heads around that fact that that will continue to be somewhat of a drain both predictably and unpredictably until we we we 01:03:37
make that that move. 01:03:42
But I'd rather do that and be in a new building in 10 years. 01:03:48
Then do a partial remodel, spend $18,000,000 and have a partially remodeled building. As you said Danny, that that building is 01:03:52
just not equipped. 01:03:57
For the job at this point in time, so. 01:04:02
All right, Any comment from government officials on anything today? 01:04:04
Topping Floyd County Auditor I do have commentary over this building is concerned. 01:04:14
I am of the very strong opinion that a new build is the appropriate measure to take. 01:04:20
I have multiple reasons for that, not the least of which is the new build is the only one that allows us to turn it into a true 01:04:25
Justice Center and combine all of the court associated offices into one location instead of having them spread across. 01:04:32
Three buildings and 1/4 of the county. 01:04:41
Can't tell you how often the. 01:04:45
Confusion exists for people looking for the alternate services that are offered by our county. 01:04:48
And the new build is the only one that would allow us to consolidate and offload some potentially not so great properties that the 01:04:55
county no longer really has use for at that point. 01:05:00
My understanding of partial remodeling of that building is that it could take. 01:05:07
Exponentially longer than a scrap and rebuild just. 01:05:12
The nature of the beast. I survived the majority of the jail remodel and I can tell you it would have been a heck of a lot faster 01:05:17
if they'd have been able to just scrap the building and and rebuild it. 01:05:22
I've worked in multiple offices in that building. I can tell you that the really lovely water feature that comes in the corner of 01:05:29
the Treasurer's office every time it rains hard is a delight. 01:05:33
I really, really, really enjoyed it. It was lovely. You want us to add 1 to your office? 01:05:38
I I think I have one already. It's, it's just hidden. It's just starting, Yeah. 01:05:44
I don't know if you've been in the building when the elevators stopped working, but. 01:05:51
That's that's a beautiful moment as well. 01:05:58
And those the building doesn't support an upgrade. So with the interconnective workings of the HVAC systems and the boiler systems 01:06:01
with our our Correctional Facility and the current NAPD office. 01:06:08
Renovation is not. 01:06:20
It's not a logical option by any means. 01:06:22
So I absolutely support and I hope that you all understand that if this is the way that you go, you. 01:06:25
We, as county officials, are going to have to. 01:06:30
Present this to the voters in a very clear and precise manner because I I also agree that a referendum is is needed. It's a very 01:06:34
large project that could reach $40 million. 01:06:41
But it's it's a sustainable project that should last for the next three to four decades. And if we maintain it well, it can last. 01:06:49
Past that, I would say 50 to 75 years. 01:06:55
We need to go to, we need to go into it with that. 01:07:00
So I think that. 01:07:04
I am pleased the majority are moving in that direction. I will say at $40 million, it will still be a million less than 01:07:06
Jeffersonville High School's new swimming pool. This is true and I am jealous of that high school as my my oldest was a former 01:07:12
swimmer for the local high school, so. 01:07:17
But I just I think. 01:07:24
I think I'm very pleased. 01:07:27
With the conversation. 01:07:30
That I just witnessed so. 01:07:31
Good. 01:07:33
Sheriff, any comment and let me. 01:07:36
First I want to say thank you for all for listening tonight. You all requested data from us and information so we. 01:07:39
Provided that I think and then some you asked for funding sources, we provided that as well. I personally want to thank Dinah for 01:07:46
your hard work and stands working to get as a team because we want to work with you all as a team to make sure we get this across 01:07:53
to the end to the finish line. You know, I support the bargaining units as sheriff because they do a valuable or invaluable job to 01:07:59
the community and serving the community. You know, to do this point, I don't believe I believe in processes and we've done that. 01:08:06
I've had representatives. 01:08:14
On those boards and look at this, you evaluated it. 01:08:16
We provided all the data and I think you know. 01:08:19
To the end. 01:08:23
They deserve what they're doing. To Denise's point in terms of the deferred comp and her concerns, I believe not everybody will 01:08:25
anticipate. But so it's miniscule in terms of an overall global side of what we're dealing with. And it's something that gives 01:08:31
them the ability to retire early. And just a thought on that is it's going to cost more money in the long run because if you have 01:08:37
people that tend to stay 25 or 30 years, it's going to cost more versus a new hire or A5 year person. So if you think of it those 01:08:43
terms. 01:08:49
The judicial it separately or together or look at the carpet tax relief tax at 9 and explain we've vetted that. I think you're 01:09:25
going to bring in another 3 million in revenue because we know we have some revenue issue, but that will help as well. So I just 01:09:30
want to say those three are are are a math equation. 01:09:36
They just got in. 01:09:43
Add up to 3.4 sheriff real quick. How much does it cost you to train a new officer? 01:09:45
Gosh, just roughly it doesn't use that. 01:09:50
50,000 I just don't know. 01:09:53
Several years ago, when we were first negotiating our contract, we estimated that between. 01:09:56
The training hours, the payable training hours, issuing equipment, uniforms, et cetera, was roughly just under $50,000. 01:10:02
And that was in 17. Wow. 01:10:14
What's the current base salary for Floyd County Sheriff's Department Rd. officers? The married officer I believe currently is 01:10:19
around 60,000. 01:10:23
And in the jail, I believe it's 40. 01:10:27
Was. 01:10:30
Do you have nowhere to start and pay us for Indiana State Police? It's around 70,000. 01:10:33
Themselves are, yeah, Salzburg around six. 01:10:39
So with the. 01:11:10
Proposed raise alerts that are bring you up to right around 65. Is that correct? The first year be 65 minutes 6768 and 72 and 3rd 01:11:11
year. One of the other things I found interesting about Jeffersonville police contractors, they went to a 32 hour work week. 01:11:20
Is that correct? That is correct. We're starting to see a little bit more of these things. 01:11:28
That's I'll be honest and I'm from Jeff, you know, I'll say it on the public record. I went to Jeff and I grew up there. They have 01:11:32
a very nice package because they changed their work schedule. The mayor saw the importance of his employees as far as the public 01:11:39
safety of how important it is for mental health. They change their schedule. I think it's five on, four off. 01:11:45
You know, we thought about looking at our schedule to come to you all eventually, but at the moment we're looking at our contract. 01:11:52
So that package is really hurting us as well, along with the state police and their salary increase. The same thing for the jail. 01:11:56
We want our employees to be here for career. 01:12:00
And that's why this package is very important. 01:12:05
I don't think we need to be trading officers for other jurisdictions. No, thank you. 01:12:08
That's just one thing I. 01:12:13
We need you on record. 01:12:19
Shiloh Harris, corrections officer I have been there 25 years come December. So I have been in and out. I started at 8 something 01:12:26
an hour. 01:12:30
One of the things that I know Denise was concerned about was the deferred comp aspect of it and the idea it would be lovely to 01:12:35
give a lot better retirement to every employee. And I understand that. But something to consider is I've been there 25 years. I 01:12:43
probably have to work until I'm about 110 at this point to be able to afford to retire. If it wasn't for my husband's retirement, 01:12:50
because for so many years I could put nothing back. I couldn't put the 17 something back that the. 01:12:58
And the other thing to consider is we don't. 01:13:07
And I don't want this to sound as though it's a dig at any of the other county employees. I respect them all. They all have very 01:13:10
important jobs that they need to do. But my job is not one that I'm going to be able to necessarily continue to do well. 01:13:17
Into my 60s or 70s. 01:13:25
It is a more physically demanding job, which means we need to be able to retire a little bit earlier with some and and going from 01:13:28
this job to. 01:13:33
Another field for however many years until we could retire is going to be a little bit different. 01:13:39
Because this is such a different type of position. 01:13:44
So I just want that to be something that you guys think about too. I'm not going to be working in an office where I don't have to 01:13:47
maybe get punched or spit or roll on the ground with somebody the way I do here. So we're not going to be in our positions. 01:13:55
To the ages, that other author, that other office. 01:14:04
Offices are going to be in between and that's all. 01:14:07
You get the same pension though, correct, Present corrections officer? No, I mean as the civilian employees not. 01:14:09
Yes, current, yeah, currently that's what we get. I think we. 01:14:16
I think we went up a little bit on our deferred contributions, the deferred comp, yes, to the contract. But as far as the true 01:14:20
retirement, she's on the same retirement plan that Gloria is on. That's what I meant. Merit officers receive a merit office of 01:14:26
pension, which is a much higher percentage, the correction staff. So when you're looking at that correction contract and you can 01:14:31
keep that in mind. 01:14:37
They have the same retirement plan. 01:14:43
For the state that that my payroll clerk does. 01:14:45
But the job is dramatically different. 01:14:49
The physical limitations after so long as thank you. 01:14:52
Thanks. 01:14:59
Thank you. 01:15:00
You know any comment from the public tonight? 01:15:01
Anybody with $35 million sitting around, they'd like to donate to the county. 01:15:05
Get your name on the building Name on the building, Dale Kingdale says. 01:15:10
All right. Any other final comment, I would just say hope everybody's getting through their budget meetings. 01:15:16
Well. 01:15:26
So. 01:15:28
Budget ad goes to the state on Friday, so no other changes as far as increases could happen at this point. 01:15:30
Just so knows that I haven't had it there apartments yet, understand? 01:15:38
We weren't looking at increases anyway. 01:15:42
All right, our next joint meeting is Friday, September 20th at 10:00 AM. 01:15:47
I may or may not phone in on that. 01:15:55
My daughter's getting married the next day and I got to be wherever she says I'm supposed to be that Friday morning, so. 01:15:57
Look for a motion to adjourn second. 01:16:04