Franklin County Council reviewed and approved a resolution distributing public safety income tax for 2023 at its Aug. 30 meeting.

The resolution directs the greater of $598,164 or 27 percent of the collected public safety fund to the operation of the county's public safety answering point, with the plan of moving toward a stand-alone dispatch center. As discussed in previous council meetings, $300,000 was directed to Franklin County EMS (FC EMS) and $8,000 to each of the county's fire departments requesting funding: Blooming Grove Volunteer Fire Department, New Trenton Volunteer Fire Department, Eagle Fire Company of Oldenburg, Metamora Volunteer Fire Department, Brookville Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department and Drewersburg Volunteer Fire Department. 

FC EMS representative Bill Schirmer spoke on the request that was submitted for public safety funding. Schirmer explained in 2021 EMS requested $400,000 for 2022 from Franklin County Commissioners. At that time, commissioner Tom Wilson informed FC EMS they had missed the deadline to request an increase, but there may be potential to seek additional funding through the county's American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to help fund the purchase of a new ambulance.

Schirmer explained the FC EMS board of directors met this year and decided to submit a request for $300,000 for the 2023 emergency services contract with an additional $100,000 earmarked for an ambulance, totaling $400,000. Franklin County Council president Jeff Koch replied council had discussed the matter and agreed to fund the $300,000 service contract. Council member Brian Patterson noted there is still potential to fund an ambulance through ARPA. Council member Joe Gillespie noted the request submitted by FC EMS for public safety funds totaled $500,000, not $400,000. Schirmer replied FC EMS had been advised by legal counsel to request a $500,000 service contract, with the expectation it would be negotiated lower. Council member Carroll Lanning clarified the request submitted by FC EMS for 2023 included $300,000 for the service contract and $200,000 for an ambulance. 

Council vice-president Joe Sizemore made a motion to approve the public safety resolution on the table, Patterson seconded the motion and council voted to approve. 

Also discussed:
-Franklin County Economic Development Commission (FCEDC) director John Palmer gave an update on ARPA projects currently under review. Hitherto ARPA funding has gone to necessary government projects such as upgrades to the Franklin County Government Center and a secure county government e-mail system. Moving forward, the scope of projects have been expanded to look at expenses like a new FC EMS ambulance, Metamora sewer district, animal shelter, courthouse paint and a new public transit vehicle. Palmer requested a $700,000 additional appropriation from the ARPA fund. The projects to be funded by the $700,000 have not yet been determined, but Palmer hopes to have the funding in place and ready to go if the projects get the green-light from commissioners and council. Patterson suggested the projects be approved by commissioners and council before the additional appropriation. Patterson made a motion to table the appropriation to decide next month after more information is provided about the projects; Gillespie seconded the motion. Lanning voiced concern over the courthouse painting project, which is currently underway; Palmer replied commissioners will need to figure out a way to pay for the work if the ARPA funding is not approved. Koch brought Patterson's motion to a vote, which was approved.

-Council reviewed a series of additional appropriations from the Franklin County Health Department, one of which was $45,000 for a new vehicle. Gillespie inquired into the specifics of the vehicle. Health department supervising nurse Nannette Beres replied she had sought three quotes on Ford vehicles, but did not have a specific vehicle selected. Gillespie requested more information. Patterson asked if the quotes were through a dealership or if it was through Ford's government bid program. Beres replied the quotes were through a dealership. Sizemore suggested Beres check with commissioner Tom Linkel to get the government bid information. 

Gillespie made a motion to table the $45,000 vehicle appropriation, Sizemore seconded and council voted to table.