File 4 of this meeting has Michael Greenburg of the Ohio EPA in for further discussion of a letter of deficiency. This letter of October 1, 2010 was previously a commission topic at the November 24, 2010 Commission meeting, see file 6.  Andrew Booker of the EPA was in at that time for discussion on a deficiency with regard to “Education Specialist” for recycling and use of educational programs. Currently the county is without a dedicated individual at that position. With budget woes there was a question of filling it with a part time person. This meeting further follows up on that discussion.

File 7 is of interest as it pertains to previously stated issues with lack of Commission budget control over department heads passing out employee raises at a time of economic stress and Commission freezing of pay raises for General Fund employees.   Some of these are other elected officials with other revenue streams than the General Fund money appropriated. It has been an issue covered repeatedly, most recently at the November 22, 2010 meeting.  

Commissioner David Wesler brought up that this issue was also a topic at the CCAO meeting in Columbus last week. Apparently County Commissioners in some other counties have exercised their power to freeze cells in budgets that salary line items.  Departments not abiding by the Commissioners stated stance of “no pay raises” were stated to be Veterans Services, REA, Clerk of Courts through Certificate of Title and as usual the Engineer’s office.  Also mentioned were DD and the possibility of some Boards.  Commissioner Wesler mentioned that Larry Long (the Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio CCAO) had addressed the issue.  This issue is reflected in an online pdf file titled Written Testimony to the State Budget Planning and Management Commission – Fall 2010.

Pages 7 & 8 of that report contain among other items these areas as a “List of Action Items for Consideration”:

• Shared Services

CCAO seeks the ability for a board of county commissioners to require other county offices (which are funded from the county general fund) to use centralized services for human resources, purchasing, printing, and mail operations.

 

• County Budget Process and Budget Control

The proliferation of special revenue funds and the trend to earmark certain fees for the exclusive use of certain officials reduces flexibility for commissioners to allocate scarce resources to programs most needed and removes effective oversight of the spending of public dollars. Too often when funds are earmarked for functions of specific county elected officials, these officials feel this money is “theirs” to do with as they choose. Therefore, CCAO opposes any new mandatory earmarking of county revenue sources. Moreover, Ohio’s budget laws should be amended to give commissioners more oversight over all county funds.

 

• Access to Special Revenue Funds During Periods of Fiscal Stress

Just as the state has the authority to divert money from certain special funds to the state general revenue fund during periods of significant fiscal stress, county commissioners should be authorized to divert money in special funds to the county general fund.

Such authority should be exercised in accordance with all of the following:

(1) not apply to funds comprised of voted property tax levies for specific purposes;

(2) be done pursuant to a resolution of the board after public notice to other elected officials and the public and after a public hearing;

(3) assure that adequate funds remain in the fund to meet any specific statutory mandate; and (4) be authorized through a resolution that applies only to the current fiscal year.

 

• Indirect Costs

CCAO supports legislation to authorize counties to recover indirect costs, including the costs of building renovations and expansion, from nongeneral fund programs, following strict cost accounting principles.

 

• User Fees and Revenues

CCAO supports the increased utilization of user fees to fund specific county services. In addition, CCAO supports a thorough review of user fees and modernization of all user fees to reflect the cost of doing business.

The ability to control these salary increases should not be a surprise. It is a worthy issue in an era of economic stress where much of the public faces not only frozen to falling wages but also loss of job, housing and health insurance issues. The question is; does the public provide the tax money for these Departments and Agencies in order to fund public services or jobs?

It is for the service first and foremost.  The public service job is a means of providing that service.  When we have officials passing out raises after being told by Commissioners not to, then there is an issue of arrogance of power that reflects a lack of understanding of that basic issue.  Public employment is to serve the public and that is the first priority. It is not an entitlement to pay raises at the expense of the ability to perform the purpose of the employment.  My suspicion is that in an era of 10% unemployment someone else can be found to happily perform the job at the suggested frozen pay rate.

Previously it has been mentioned in Commission Chambers how easy it is to get things accomplished when all the elected officials are of the same political party – Republican.  The fact that these salary increases are not only an issue but a growing issue calls into question the political will of this County Commission to properly represent the best interests of the taxpaying voters.  Not addressing this issue shows a lack of political will.

County employees are hired to provide services to the Citizens of Preble County first, not a political party and not ill conceived entitlement demands to pay raises at the expense of the service a department was created for.  If that was the case the logical conclusion is public employees locked in their departments working for a government that passes out pay raises but lacks the money to perform any public service.  Heck just paint on the front door “We would like to serve you but we had to choose between supplies and equipment to do so and a pay raise, we took the pay raise.” That is very much the issue as the Preble County budget will take a much larger hit in 2011 to pay the rising health insurance premiums.

Another question that needs addressed is; are all the higher paying jobs really full time jobs? Are some of these people being crossed trained to do jobs that could be handled by hiring lower paid part time employees?

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

December 15,  2010

Meeting audio and review

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

End 5.48 minute mark on CD – 1.32 MB

File 2

 6.25 MINUTE MARK   EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT OF A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE

Exit session

 7 MINUTE MARK    Steve Simmons comes in.

 8 MINUTE MARK    Commissioner Stonecash – First we want to welcome Fran Park to our position over there for assistance.

9:30 A.M. – PUBLIC HEARING – ZONING CASE #1283 – JOHN W. HAKE & MARK & PEGGY VOSLER

12.25 MINUTE MARK    Steven Pope.

20 MINUTE MARK    Passed 3 – 0

21.25 MINUTE MARK    Short Pork Fest lawsuit discussion. Commissioner Stonecash tells Katie Worthington that he heard at the local coffee shop from a Pork Fest Board member that a date had been set.

22 MINUTE MARK    Thomas Lawson (from Eaton High School) comes in room.

24.10 minute mark on cd  

18.19 minutes –  4.19 MB

File 3

VII. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #629-10-147

RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS – SHERIFF

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #630-10-147

RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS – SANITARY LANDFILL

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #631-10-147

RE: AUTH. PAYMENTS. – DITCH MAINT. ($1669.99)

D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #632-10-147

RE: AUTH EXPEND. – $6,688.50 FOR PURCHASE OF ICE – ENGINEER

30.75 minute mark on cd  

6.39 minutes –  1.52 MB

File 4

10:00 A.M. – MICHAEL GREENBURG & TISH PLAUGHER (SOLID WASTE MGMT DISTRICT REPORT)

33 MINUTE MARK    Discussion of Ohio EPA letter of October 1, 2010.  (see meeting with Andrew Booker)

36 MINUTE MARK     Michael Greenburg – 61 Programs that Solid Waste District is responsible for reporting on.

41.5 MINUTE MARK    "After it leaves the curb"  on youtube.

44 MINUTE MARK    Commissioner David Wesler on possible cutback to a part time education person.

47.7 MINUTE MARK      County and largest city in county have veto power over solid waste plan.

50 MINUTE MARK    Recommendation for Tish to attend District meetings.  Meetings start at 10:00

52.8  MINUTE MARK    Other Districts moving pretty aggressively into Social Marketing – Facebook.

53.75 MINUTE MARK    Recycling goals being increased from 25% to 35% for residential/commercial. Move away from access demand of providing drop off point for 90% of solid waste district in next five years. More curb side. Automated curbside has increased participation. Moraine used as an example.

56  MINUTE MARK    Recycling impacted by commodity prices.

57.25  MINUTE MARK   Question from Commissioner David Wesler on next meeting of Policy Committee.

Remember to remove the battery prior to dehumidifying, as the battery (levitra 10 mg) have a peek at these guys will drain faster this way.
59 MINUTE MARK    Tish meeting set up next month Lakengren.

Michael Greenburg – mentions South East Ohio six county district and hiring a retired teacher. Used for schools, service organizations and such.

1 Hr. 2 minute mark on cd  

31.31 minutes –  7.21 MB

File 5

VIII. CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF A REPORT FROM SHERIFF’S OFFICE

RE: MONTHLY JAIL REPORT – NOVEMBER 2010

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #633-10-147

RE: APPOINTING THE PREBLE MHA, CAP AND HIT FOUNDATION TO PREPARE PREBLE COUNTY CONSOLIDATED PLAN

C. NOTE RECEIPT AND CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A LETTER TO THE PAYROLL CLERK

RE: PROBATIONARY RATE ADJUSTMENT FOR YOLANDA HASTON – JFS

D. NOTE RECEIPT AND CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A LETTER TO THE PAYROLL CLERK

RE: NEW HIRE OF DAVID BRICKEL – PCSD #2

E. NOTE RECEIPT AND CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A PERSONNEL ACTION BY SIGNING A NOTICE OF RESIGNATION

RE: TRACY BRADFORD – JFS

F. NOTE RECEIPT AND CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A LETTER TO THE PAYROLL CLERK

RE: PERSONNEL ACTIONS – KURT BACHMAN TO FULL-TIME, SANDRA GREENE TO CHILD SUPPORT CASE MGR, NEW HIRE OF DANIELLE MCKENZIE AND JESSICA ISAACS – JFS

1 hr. 8 MINUTE MARK   IX. APPOINTMENTS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #634-10-147

RE: APPT. OF CECIL E. MOWEN, JR TO BOARD OF DD  (recommendation by Diane Knupp brought up Monday, December 13)

Commissioner Stonecash – I think "Eddie's" appointment is an excellent appointment for that Board.

1 hr. 9.5 minute mark on cd  

6.39 minutes –  1.52 MB

File 6

Commissioner Stonecash – What else would you like to talk about today?

1 hr. 11.5  MINUTE MARK    Connie – email from Matthew Lindsey.  

Commissioner Dave Wesler will call him back. Desire to meet with Dayton Development Coalition with Shawda for a meet and greet and tell them where "we" are at. Afternoon meeting with MVRPC (Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission).  

1 hr. 12.5  MINUTE MARK   Budget discussion on missing cell for Economic Development that did not include $59,000. ??? (may include other departments)

1 hr. 15.5  MINUTE MARK   Connie – The discussion I had with the Recorder, I don't know if you want to discuss that or not.

Commissioner Stonecash – It is part of the budget, yeah.

Connie – When I had indicated which budget I was reducing for the Recorders Office… involves the $10,000 for part time employee mentioned Monday. Call back on what would stop her from increasing her employee.

Discussion of meeting with her.

1 hr. 17.5  MINUTE MARK    Commissioner Stonecash – It would be our wish that she did not exercise that option to increase that particular person in question was given a pretty nice increase ahh when she became Deputy.

1 hr. 18.5  MINUTE MARK    Discussion of intent to hire an employee nut not for a pay increase.

1 hr. 19.25 minute mark on cd  

9.46 minutes –  2.23MB

File 7

1 hr. 19.25  MINUTE MARK     Commissioner Wesler on CCAO meeting and discussion of pay raises outside the General Fund. An Engineer not giving pay increases- team player. Commissioners have control as far as line items. If they have a salary line item, you can freeze the salary line item and prepare the rest of the budgets however you want.   

1 hr. 21  MINUTE MARK   Commissioners have line item authority.

Health Departments mentioned as being different because of levies.

1 hr. 21.75  MINUTE MARK    Cell phone starts ringing.

1 hr. 22  MINUTE MARK   Commissioner Wesler – That is what Larry Long said.  This discussion has implication on the Preble County Engineer & Veterans Services. Larry Long is the Executive Director of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio – CCAO.

1 hr. 24.75  MINUTE MARK   Commissioner Wesler – Asks Connie to remind him which departments are giving raises. Mentions Veterans Services.

Connie – Right, the Engineers office,

Commissioner Wesler – Engineers, REA

Connie – REA, Clerk of Courts through Certificate of Title. I think ahh would you also like to know the Boards or just the Departments.

Commissioner Wesler – Well DD we know of but like he said and that is where I would like to have clarification. If their levies you know

Connie –  Marty will be in this afternoon, he should be able to answer that question. He is going to talk about the Health Department.

Commissioner Day – on what the Engineer's recourse might be if he still wanted to do that.

Commissioner Wesler – on Preble County Auditor Mindy Robbins giving pay raises to REA which will reduce those funds.

1 hr. 28.25  MINUTE MARK    Mentions Engineer wanting Commissioners to look at increasing the "Permissive tax" that would give them the ability to pave more roads but then again he is giving pay raises.

1 hr. 29.25  MINUTE MARK    Mentions Clerk of Courts and Certificate of Title. Asks how much he borrowed last year.

1 hr. 30.25  MINUTE MARK    Commissioner Stonecash mentions account 27 and Connie telling her of our wishes.

1 hr. 30.4 minute mark on cd  

11.11 minutes –  2.56 MB

File 8

Commissioner Stonecash – What else do you have.

Connie – We have a new slate of Fairboard members. Did you ask me to set up a meeting?

Commissioner Wesler – We were going to have them in to explain what we expect of them.

Commissioner Stonecash – It won't hurt us to open a line of communication.

Commissioner Day – ..best interests to wait until after mediation is over with.

Connie – on changes to Building and Zoning changes.

1 hr. 34.75  MINUTE MARK    Annex and Governmentdeals.com

Connie – Did you want to go into Executive Session to discuss the employment of a public employee?

Executive Session

Exit

1 hr. 34.75  MINUTE MARK   Commissioner Stonecash – either of you guys going to the CTC Thursday night.

Commissioner Chris Day – Yeah, I can't

Commissioner Wesler – is going.

Connie –  RSVP for Dayton Development Coalition on January 11, 3:15 – 6:00. Schuster Center

RECESS

Marty Votel not going to make the 1:30.

ADJOURN

1 hr. 38.75 minute mark on cd  

8.20 minutes –  1.90 MB