With the projected move of Franklin County 911 Dispatch from the FC Security Center to the recently acquired building next to the government center (1020 Franklin Avenue), county council was presented some numbers crunching by Reedy Financial Group at its monthly meeting Nov. 29.

As member Scott McDonough summed up the discussion, “If you look at money we have, we'll be attacking the reserves of the county general fund … it can be funded but there's no wiggle room.”

Michael Bell was primary presenter, basing all his projections on the hiring of eight new employees – four jailers, three dispatch and administrative assistant – and using $38,000 base salary (plus benefits) as a dummy figure. They did not, however, factor in costs of the physical move, i.e., remodeling, technology, utility upgrades.

Commissioner Tom Linkel stated nothing had been pursued in those areas, pending Tuesday's figures and discussion.

Toward the end of discussion, member Brian Patterson asked about an alternative plan, specifically a regional dispatch center (essentially farming out the service).

Member Joe Sizemore, conducting the meeting in the absence of president Jeff Koch, said he and Linkel had made a visit to the Dearborn County operation and both agreed they were highly impressed. The supervisor there noted they could “easily” absorb FC's needs.

At this point, sheriff Peter Cates rushed to the lectern to say he was vehemently against moving dispatch out of county.

“You'd be totally reliant on them,” he said. 

To Patterson's query whether he'd be opposed to a short-term contract if Dearborn hired FC personnel, Cates still rejected the idea.

“Once you take it out of here, it's tough to put it back in place,” was the answer. “(Regional wouldn't) know the roads in Franklin County or who we have mutual aid with.”

“How did we get this far in the process and not seriously looked at numbers for this obvious alternative?” asked Patterson.

Linkel said he wasn't sure FC taxpayers wanted their money going to Dearborn. To this, Patterson replied the county uses various other out-of-county services.

Reedy's projections were for the year 2024 since next year's budget was already adopted. New jailers would affect the general fund; a projected surplus of $588,000 at the end of '24 would be reduced to $445,000. Dispatchers would factor in to a statewide 911 fund and public safety local income tax (LIT). The recommendation was to use the state's 911 disbursements as a capital line for the relocation and PS-LIT for dispatch operations as council has more control over the latter.

Projected revenue in PS-LIT was given as $696,866 - $144,000 more than expenses. Move-related expenses reduced the difference by about $60,000.

Auditor Karla Bauman pointed out there'd hardly be any money left over in public safety for other budgeted items.

“You still have to take off $300,000 for the EMS contract, so now you're down to about $396,000 that has to be split – county gets like 72% and the rest goes to other taxing units,” she said. “And we still have $714,000 budgeted for the sheriff and the jail.”

Her concern is it would all fall back on county general, after some “games” to get that fund balanced in August. Estimated annual operating costs were given as between $400,000 and $500,000. “That would be a lot of extra balancing,” Bauman added.

Patterson said a lot more discussion is needed, as fire departments wouldn't appreciate losing “$8,000 a year that we just fought for.” The EMS contract could also increase over time.

McDonough proposed issuing a new bond under the same rates as a previous bond.

The new location – former Brookville admin building – came under scrutiny earlier in the meeting when economic development director John Palmer requested set-asides for American Rescue Plan Act funds. One request was $75,000 going to the FC Community School Corp. for purchase of the property.

“The taxpayers have already paid for that building once; did you ask (the schools) to just give it to us?” Patterson addressed Linkel. The answer was no.

Additional requests were for $54,000 for a parks study by USI Consultants, Indianapolis, to determine improvements, which would then allow the county to request further funding from the Department of Natural Resources; also, a $200,000 short-term loan to the town of Laurel to begin a waterworks project ahead of the community receiving a grant from Indiana Finance Authority.

Patterson inquired whether USI has worked with parks before, since they primarily work on bridges. Linkel replied the firm has a qualified individual.
The three requests were approved, as were resolutions to transfer several funds and additional appropriations of $262,600 – the largest being road salt reserves.

The FC Park Board probably got more attention at the meeting than anyone in attendance anticipated.

It started when Sizemore read a letter of interest from Eugena Monroe in replacing Darren Brack, whose term is expiring and who declined reappointment.

Park board member Dennis Kolb asked from the audience whether political parties were considered when appointments were made by council and the circuit court judge. County attorney Grant Reeves confirmed that, when at all possible, the two appointments from each executive should not belong to the same party. This is like the health board's makeup.

Monroe was asked her political affiliation (from the most recent primary), to which she replied Republican.

McDonough nominated Linkel, also Republican – his seat on commission is coming to an end Dec. 31.

Patterson nominated Monroe, saying grant writing experience is important; he also mentioned Dwight Ball as having interest.

“I've got nothing from Dwight,” said Sizemore, to which Patterson said, “You've got nothing from Linkel, either do you?” Sizemore asked Linkel if he'd like to make a statement. “Yes, I would very much like to be on the park board,” said the commissioner.

Eventually, nominations were tabled to look at current political affiliations at the clerk's office and allow for advertising of the position.

The question of advertising came up again regarding the reappointments of Mark Masavage to the Batesville Memorial Public Library Board, Ed Derickson to Area Plan Commission and councilman Carroll Lanning to the Southeast Indiana Regional Planning Commission.

Lanning nominated Masavage, saying he seems to be “doing an excellent job on the board.” Before seconding, McDonough asked if anyone in attendance was interested in the position. Masavage and Lanning were reappointed to the respective boards. Derickson made a statement, saying that while he's interested in serving again, he believes the seat should be advertised prior to council's next meeting of Dec. 13.

In other items, Emergency Management Director Amy Lindsey said she's been working diligently to get COVID-19 expenses reimbursed to the county. Out of $37,500 – mostly for personal protective equipment - $29,323 is a certainty. From the balance, $4,900 was payment to Reeves for legal services and $3,300 was tech related. She will submit requests for the $4,900, though giving no guarantee. The technology funds were not worth the effort, she's been told.

The county's supervising nurse, Nanette Beres, introduced Bethany Luers to council; she will be tackling a combination of grant writing and public health emergency coordination.

The meeting schedule for 2023 was approved but salary ordinance was tabled. An invoice to Reedy of $4574.60 was paid, putting the total over $80,000 for the calendar year.