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You as taxpayers need to be aware of not only the raises but the size of the raises being given at the county level.  I’ll start with pointing out that on October 22, 2014 it was announced that Social Security recipients will be getting a 1.7% raise next year.

On September 3 of this year the county commission voted to give county General Fund employees a 4% pay raise. That is a pretty good pay raise but it gets better as the increase was made retroactive to January 1.  It is for you the taxpayer to decide on whether it is fair as reflective of the size you the taxpayer have received. Before deciding though you must consider that additionally the county will be giving another 3% raise in January 2015. If any of you feel a 7% pay raise is to high then also consider that the two pay raises in 4 months actually exceed a onetime 7% increase as the January 3% is on top of a pay rate that grew 4% in September. There is an argument to make for pay increases as JFS & Children's services have lost people to Montgomery County. It is the size of these increases that needs to be considered to the 1.7% Grandma & Grandpa are going to get.

That brings us to the County Engineer portion of the meeting. He gave a 1/2% raise this year but apparently plans to give what Commissioner Wesler called a 10% raise in January.  Both Wesler and Commissioner Robertson took issue with the size of County Engineer’s planned pay raises. Commissioner Robertson had earlier voiced concern over the September increase being more than what people in the private sector have been getting.

 

Preble County Commissioners

December 3, 2014

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATIONS & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATIONS BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE NOVEMBER 26, 2014 & DECEMBER 1, 2014 REGULAR SESSION MEETINGS

2.11 minutes – 513 KB

File 2

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #651-14-167

RE: AUTH. PAYMENT – FELONY SUBSIDY ($1,000.00); LANDFILL ($37,500.00); PCSD #2 ($6,244.97)

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #652-14-167

RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS – VARIOUS DEPTS.

C. NOTE RECEIPT OF A COURT ORDER FROM JUVENILE COURT

RE: COURT ENTRY – CHECK ISSUANCE FOR JIMMY WILLIAMS – SURVEILLANCE EXPENSES $100

CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL & PRAECIPE FROM THE PREBLE CO. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

5 Minute mark   RE: MARY BULLEN & AMANDA DALTON VS. PREBLE CO. ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS Concerns Zoning Board rejecting a proposed zoo in the Lewisburg area.  As reported on the audio this meeting apparently lasted around four hours. Rodney Creech reported the meeting on a proposed zoo was only two hours of the meeting. Neighbors voiced opposition to the zoo and the Zoning Board sided with them.     

APPOINTMENTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF A COURT ENTRY FROM COMMON PLEAS COURT

RE: RESIGNATION OF DAVID L. WILSON & APPT. OF VICTOR M. GARCIA TO THE SOLDIERS RELIEF COMMISSION

AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A CHANGE ORDER

RE: CHANGE ORDER #1 TO THE HOUSEHOLD SEWAGE REPAIR AGREEMENT W/ DILL’S DIRT WORK & DEMO – R. GRUBBS – REDUCE AMT. ($1,140.00) – WATER POLLUTION CONTROL

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A CHANGE ORDER

RE: CHANGE ORDER #1 TO THE HOUSEHOLD SEWAGE REPAIR AGREEMENT W/ AIKMAN EXCAVATING – G. GIBSON – INCREASE AMT. ($4,260.00) – WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ($3,621.00) & G. GIBSON ($639.00)

7.5 minute mark on cd  

5.21 minutes – 1.22 MB

File 3

Commissioner Robinson welcomes Council members from College Corner

Definition of "PRAECIPE" read into the record.

9 Minute mark   Letter from Becky Sorrell about an additional position she would like to advertise for due to the promotion of Sherry Hooper sp?  More than one position mentioned – at least three. There has been problems at JFS & Children's Service holding on to employees that can be attributed to stress from heavy workloads and low pay as employees can make a good bit more money in Montgomery County.

11.25 Minute mark   Scott Young from NIC coming in next Wednesday about building fee adjustments. Multiple fees mentioned.

Users are therefore advised to consult a licensed physician try description cialis 10 mg in that country.

13 Minute mark   For the next five years the county will receive $912.25 a month on the tower rental at the Fairgrounds. Total for five years put at $54,751.20 which is given to the Ag Society for improvements at the Fair grounds

14 Minute mark   Charity Ball figures confirmed: $21,093.34 to be distributed to six charities.

16.5 Minute mark    Copier in commission office has made over 1 million copies and needs replaced (12 years old). Cost put at: $5,046. Resolution 653 & 654

18.5 minute mark on cd  

11.02 minutes – 2.52 MB

File 4

Connie – Are we ready to discuss budgets now?

19.25 Minute mark    Juvenile Court

Listen to the audio.

Connie reports that three employee are scheduled to exceed the January 3% increase in wages to be granted to General Fund employees. Keep in mind that this raise is in addition to a 4% raise given to General Fund employees at the September 3, 2014 meeting.  Also keep in mind that additionally those raises were retroactive to January 1, 2014.   Reason given for exceeding the 3% in these cases is more job duties.    

24 Minute mark    Recorders Budget

Budget adjusted upwards for a part time employee at 520 hrs.  $39.764.40 mentioned with a total given of $101,874.31

25 Minute mark    Treasurer & DRETAC Budget  – two mentions of 520 hrs. for an employee. Apparently going to share an employee with the Recorder?  Again – listen to the audio.    Commissioner Robertson mentions 3/4 of a person. Connie – they cannot consistently work them over 30 hours a week – 29 hrs. mentioned.

27 Minute mark     Connie talked with Chris Washington & Brain Butcher (legal consultant) about pay plan. His office moved to the county pay plan which required office wages to go up. It was previously decided to do it over a multiyear schedule and this is apparently the year of the final adjustment. Connie to send him a letter confirming that.  This agreement happened before Commissioner Robertson took office.  Commissioner Wesler feels that the adjustments have already been made. The first adjustment was in 2011 and there have now been three adjustments above commission approved General Fund raises.

39 Minute mark     Commissioner Wesler mentions Land Use Management employees taking on additional duties in their jobs with no increase. He is referring to earlier discussion involving a Judge justifying exceeding the January 3% raise. The issue is the Judge can just "court order" the raises and frankly that is what the commission should make him do as this type of action can impact the morale of employees that will not be getting a raise above the January 3%.   

40.5 Minute mark    $200,000 for computer upgrades in the Auditor's office – Commissioner Wesler hopes that is enough.

Connie mentions chiller & boiler at jail for 2015.

42.5 Minute mark    Connie received the Sheriff's Department security camera upgrade quote yesterday – $284,000.

44.5 Minute mark    Commissioner Wesler mentions the 2008 appropriations. Mentions then Commissioner Withrow being sick and Commissioner Marshall not wanting to cut any of the budgets.  First act of Commissioner Day in 2009 was passing a temporary budget of $10.6 million. Budget now approaching $11.3 million.

Commissioner Day comments on a 6% growth or less than 1% a year in budget.

50 Minute mark   Mention of Auditor's one page report being helpful.

RECESS UNTIL 10:30

52 minute mark on cd  

33.34 minutes – 7.68 MB

File 5

KYLE CROSS – FY15 BUDGET

Commissioner Robertson comments that they have asked Kyle back in to explain pay increase to his employees that exceed rest of county.

Listen to the audio  

Kyle explains that the county gave a 4% raise in September and has another 3% scheduled in January – the additional 3% is based on the higher rate because of the 4% already added. The two combined are greater than a onetime 7% pay increase.  In 2013 the county said hold the line on rate increases and that they hoped to make it up midyear.  Kyle said last year he would give a 1/2% increase in 2014 and indicated he would make up for any county increases in 2015.  Again – Listen to the audio and how Kyle explains it.  

Commissioner Robertson points out issues with his logic. Commissioner Robertson is a Computer Engineer and has also created a spread sheet. She proceeds to give her analysis. Again – Listen to the audio

She mentions the possibility of granting Engineer employees a 7.1% or 7.2% increase to make up the difference and feels that the pay increase that Kyle apparently plans puts his employees up $1,100 per year over a generic county employee.

Debate between Commissioner Robertson & County Engineer. Apparently Kyle's planned January raises reflect 9 or 10%.

1 hr. 7.75 Minute mark   Kyle – I am going to stand by the rates that were submitted as part of the budget.

Commissioner Robertson – Are your employees better than the county employees?

Listen to the audio as this could be construed as being contested  

1 hr. 11 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler – The only thing I want to say Kyle is I am glad we don't do the figures like you do because over the years you guys have gotten a lot bigger increases than what General Fund employees have. Listen to the audio  

Listen to the audio as this could be construed as being contested  

1 hr. 13.75 Minute mark   County Engineer – We have not sacrificed our paving program at the expense of giving pay increases.  I have to step in here and add that the Ag Society pointed out last year that the County Engineer was responsible for some of the roads at the Fairgrounds and felt they have not been maintained.

1 hr. 15.3 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler equates what Kyle is doing to a 10% + increase.

ADJOURN

1 hr  17.2 minute mark on cd  

25.09 minutes – 5.75MB