Ahead of a Sept. 17 public hearing and Oct. 15 adoption meeting, Franklin County Council began its annual budget hearings Monday by hearing from all department heads on 2025 requests. The health department had cause to postpone its appearance until Tuesday morning.

Many department leaders went to bat for their employees, nudging the council for wage hikes in general along with some specific requests. Reedy Financial Group, which started the session with a slide presentation, was tasked earlier this year to complete a countywide wage study for government employees. The study is expected to be ready soon but had little bearing on Monday’s proceedings.

Emergency management director Amy Lindsey was first up. She said there weren’t many line item changes to the EMA budget, even reduced amounts in some cases. Additions were gas/oil for a recently purchased truck and liability insurance for a drone that was procured after a $10,000 Duke Energy grant. Lindsey said there likewise wasn’t much change when it came to the emergency planning budget.

Brian Patterson asked how much she’s been able to secure in grants over her 4.5 years. Lindsey replied the number’s approaching $1.25 million if a $373,000 grant is awarded in October. Nearly all the total is federally or privately funded with a small matching amount. She added federal grants pay nearly 40% of her salary as well.

Next came Julie Schlesselman representing the cemetery commission’s volunteer board of directors. The 23-year-old organization oversees 30 pioneer cemeteries in 10 townships and offers public assistance regarding interments. Schlesselman noted some restorations were completed 20 years ago, so another round of major improvements is on the horizon after age and nature took their toll. As recently as May, a tornado obliterated the Wallace McKnight cemetery in Springfield Township. Admitting the organization had a lower profile, she called their work integral and requested $30,500 primarily for tombstone and fencing repairs.

Treasurer Jolene Beneker mentioned office supplies first, saying the line was reduced. She offered that since she took office in 2021, there’s been $1,892,476.81 in interest earned, of which $756,000 has come this year. In response to Patterson’s questions, Beneker said a pair of accounts are earning 4% and roughly $719,000 from the rainy day fund is placed in Trust Indiana at 5.3%. Patterson asked if more money could be put in Trust Indiana but the treasurer said she likes to limit the transfer of monies.

Beneker clarified a line for her deputies was changed from overtime to straight time. First deputy Randal Teufel had logged 1,953 hours last year when the government center was open just 1,689. She also placed $4,000 on an equipment line. Coroner Brian Baxter cautioned the council that his office’s budget may increase rapidly, if not during his term but that of his successor. He spoke to the Ripley County coroner, who said that office is handling about 30 calls per year - about half requiring autopsies - in collaboration with Margaret Mary Health. With a new MMH facility being built in Franklin County and likely operational in 2026, Baxter said more manpower and money could be needed. He could foresee a point where the office would need to be staffed full-time for quicker response times.

Baxter said he needs to report all suicides and traumatic deaths, noting he recently handled three suicides in as many weeks and another suicide attempt where the individual was clinging to life. More mental health issues will require a greater response, he warned, adding FC’s crisis team was just activated over the weekend.

Regarding his current financials, he said Hamilton County, Ohio, will be increasing their autopsy charge to a flat fee of $1,700 next year; this is still much cheaper than other counties, who charge by the minute if called for a jury trial.

Shirley May, veterans service officer, researched salaries for six surrounding counties’ VSOs and came up with a median between $21.20 and $22.30 per hour. So a boost to $20/hr seems reasonable to her, especially considering her office serves more veterans than many of those counties. In the few months since she started, claims and visits have nearly tripled. May began naming some needed office supplies, but president Jeff Koch advised her to bring those as additionals to a regular council meeting as the costs were minimal. May would also like to start a veteran outreach program with informational events around the county.

Dennis Kolb represented the parks board, saying revenues have increased by almost $30,000 since reservations went online and campsite prices had a minimal increase. But with that, the board wants to create an administrator position to further “sell” the county park and boost revenues even more ($150K goal). Kolb asked for $20,000 toward the new salary until the end of the year, then $36,533 plus benefits for 2025. The council wasn’t totally opposed to adding a position, but wished to see a concrete job description and salary proposal.

Kolb also requested to transfer $20,000 in paving funds to a project remodeling and winterizing restrooms on the lower park; the goal is ADA accessibility. Later projects include creating four ADA-accessible campsites at a cost of $12,000 each, and digging a trench to help with a fiber optics line. He asked for $30,450 from cumulative capital on a water line project now underway.

Bethany Luers, director of Stayin’ Alive, said her organization has three funds and all were unchanged from last year. They are the Stayin’ Alive DUI fund, Choices Saturday and the Drug-free Community Fund which takes countermeasure fees from probationary cases and distributes them to schools, law enforcement, etc.

Clerk Neysa Raible had few changes to announce. She did say one staff position has remained vacant at least three years due to a low salary offered. Another deputy spot has seen much turnover. In the election fund, she listed $28,000 for voting box maintenance.

Cari Kettman, executive director of Safe Passage, was on hand. She said there’s a non-advertised outreach center in the county and the organization works with schools on deterring sexual violence. Awareness has led to more county citizens seeking assistance. Safe Passage also offers mobile and medical advocacy for victims. The group requested $3,025 as part of an effort to build local funding among all counties served.

Director of public transportation, Missy Ratz, said her requests increased due to fuel costs and vehicle repairs. There’s a need for a new minivan, with the matching portion amounting to $10,650. More vehicles are desired. Ratz recently hired two new drivers, currently in training. Demand has drivers working up to 10-hour shifts.

Jon Hundley, 911 director, asked for 8% raises, along with new requests - shift differential and certification pay. He wants to retain talent who are working unfavorable shifts and the state mandates certification for all Indiana dispatchers - nine certifications within the first year of hire plus 24 hours of continuing education. He requested $500 per certification or a flat fee of $2500. There were also two lines of $50,000 each for overtime and extra part-time; more part-time help would mitigate OT. These come from the state’s 911 fund, currently carrying over $550,000. Hundley said he was conducting interviews for two open positions Tuesday.

Based on an estimated 911 request of $1.3 million (not including relocation costs to the Franklin Avenue site), Patterson asked Hundley’s opinion on subbing out the 911 operation to another county like Dearborn to save taxpayer money. Hundley thought it would only save money in the short term until the other county raises its prices. The two debated the question, Hundley adding that FC personnel have already learned maps and county roads. Koch agreed with Hundley that there were pitfalls in moving out of county. Patterson likened the situation to contracting with Letts for EMS service, saying he had heard the same arguments but “now Letts is doing an amazing job and I hear zero complaints.” Bob Evans asked to move on from the discussion since it was more suited to a regular council meeting.

Sheriff Peter Cates also asked for 8% raises and shift differential. Second shift deputies would get 25 cents more per hour for a yearly cost of $2,080. Third shift would get 50 cents; annual cost $4,060. For jailers, annual for night shift would cost $3120. Instructors would also get differential of 50 cents; total cost of $7,280. He asked for slight increases for fuel and tires, as well as a $2,500 increase in legal fees.

For public safety, he asked for an 8% increase in overtime. Cates said a new deputy is graduating from the academy Friday and will be put on third shift. Training requests went up 15% to $21,275.

Cates said the biggest loss of employees is at the jail. He wanted to increase corporal pay from $21.06 to $22.60/hr and increase jailer pay. He said the head cook is paid way too low at $15.85/hr and wants it bumped to $19.81. Cates want three new jailers if and when dispatch is moved out of the jail. He wants one jail clerk to hold title of first deputy with a pay increase of 59 cents. The sheriff asked for increases in office supplies, operating expenses, utilities, computer maintenance and consulting and contractual services.

Patterson asked for the life expectancy of the jail. Cates said it depends on how much money is put into it for upkeep, but equals less than 10 years. He recommended a committee be formed to start looking for a new site.

Judge Clay Kellerman said case load is trending upward. The case split between him and the circuit court judge will be his taking higher-level felonies and the incoming judge Level 6 felonies and lower. Civil cases would be split evenly.

Surveyor Rob Seig gave an overall 11% increase, related mostly to raises. He said fuel will go up due to more field work - section corner ties - in the next term. Assessor Debbie Schoettelkotte put in $5,000 toward pay raises and praised a new field collector her office is utilizing.

Auditor Karla Bauman was asked by Evans how her office is handling the duties formerly done in the commissioner’s office, which is temporarily closed. She said that due to it being budget season, the extra work keeps everyone busy all day. She thinks things will get easier in time, however. Bauman also said there are new reporting requirements to the State Board of Accounts that need to be mastered.

The commissioners/highway were represented by John Heis and Justin Ball, respectively. Stone/gravel, signage, patch mix, culverts, salt, hot mix, guardrail supply and equipment repairs all went up. A single-axle dump truck was requested as part of a new equipment ask of $295,000. Work needs done on the highway building off Fairfield and Oldenburg garage rental has gone up. Bridge and low water crossing work includes Water Street in Oldenburg, North Hamburg, Richland Creek, Buena Vista, Bentley Road, Bakers Lane and Goose Creek. Ball asked for 10% wage increases at highway, which is fully staffed. A discussion ensued on the need for a committee to evaluate county health insurance, as well as creation of a human resources director position.

Fritz Reisert spoke for the W.A.T.C.H. Center volunteer board. The amount of $82,268 is for operations on Mill Street and the Caring Home on State Road 101. Council had dropped the request down to $30,000, Reisert saying it would drastically impact his budget. Big expenses are a mortgage note at Caring Home and needed roof repairs on Mill. Reisert said if these facilities weren’t here, adults with disabilities would need to be transported much further away.

Prosecutor Christopher Huerkamp was the last guest of the day. He said while he understood inflation and a finite pool of funds can hamstring the council, he also stated, "We all want to keep good employees and the number one way to do so is to give them compensation that reflects that; I think (my employees) are worth every penny I’ve asked for, if not more." He added he was basing his requests on prior years’ requests.

Huerkamp’s taken steps to secure alternative funding as evidenced by a deputy prosecutor being funded entirely via a grant with a match component paid out of diversion funds. A victim advocate position is funded through a similar grant. He said his office supply line reflects an increased use of digitization in the trial/court systems.