File 1 has an ex Marine named “JJ” who was in to speak in the Public Comments time about the tank at the Eaton Armory.

Next up was Shawnda Combs with her Economic Development update. It is reviewed below but of note is an issue involving Heaven’s Corner and the new Ohio Exotic Animal rules. This transitioned into the next meeting with Amanda Dalton, a full time volunteer at Heaven’s Corner, who would like the Commissioners to call the Governor and contact others on behalf of Heaven’s Corner and voice concern over the impact the new rules would have.

File 10 has the start of a discussion that Preble County taxpayers should pay attention to.  Connie Crowell mentions an agreement with Environmental Engineering and Frank Leon.  The cost of this agreement alone was later put at $391,000.  The county is at the point where, if the Commissioners  “pull the trigger” on proceeding with development at Goose Creek, they will have to start spending or obligating Preble County taxpayer money.  What should be of concern to you, as taxpayers, is the full impact of those expenses, where the money is coming from, the impact of moving money from one area to another, the continuing of recent cuts or making of new and the impact of all of it.  That impact was unexpectedly highlighted in File 13.

Take some time and read these, the transcribed conversations from file 10 through file 13, and follow the discussion. Many of you are already familiar with the impacts of department cuts.

This file has Chris Day commenting on there not being a lot of dollars out there and the possibility of that continuing given the State of Ohio’s economic situation. Essentially, there may be no funding this year, no free money. The cost for the water, waste water and water tower are put at between $5,000,000 and $6,000,000. Above that cost would be another $8,000,000 – $10,000,000.

Commissioner Day later asks the question of  “We need to make the decision of are we willing to invest in it and we've got the numbers back there if we got no additional funding whatever we know what the payoff would be upon completion date or estimates and that is all going to be dependent on.” It could have been put better, but it is the same question that you as taxpayers should now be asking. It is the realization that at some point the bills will come due and need to be paid. That time frame is put at 3 – 5 years.

It was not quite a year ago at a County Commission meeting that this statement was put forth: “One thing that I would like to state so that everybody understands that at Goose Creek Crossing we have spent no – zero of Preble County taxpayer taxes. Goose Creek Crossing the money that was spent up there was a grant from the Dayton Development Coalition and none of it came from Preble County tax payer dollars”

If the cost in time and labor of having multiple county officials spend time in meetings and doing research or legal work (example – think bill from Prosecutor’s office) of what was then described as the “players” involved were considered, then the statement was false when made.

File 11 moves into a new area of discussion concerning the creation of a county reserve fund that would contain money above and beyond the General Fund.

Read it over, think about it. At face value it seems a prudent thing to be doing. However, if taken in the context this day’s meeting, that money taken from current needs (think OSU Extension, Soil & Water, Sheriff’s Department and numerous other cuts and employee pay freezes) could be used to pay the bills on the land speculation and construction costs at Goose Creek.  Here is a quote from just after the 3 hr. 50.5 minute mark: Commissioner Day – “It could be used for salaries, it could be used for whatever you deem necessary.”

In addition to the possible creation of this “reserve fund” was a discussion on an appropriate carry over cash balance and that was put at 15% or a little higher. This year if it had been in that range the carryover would have been $1,440,000. This year it was almost $2.2 million.  Last week the Register Herald had a front page story titled “County pleased with state of finances”.  As well they should be, given the statement made at this meeting. One of the reasons this county is in a better state financially than many others is that it has such a large agricultural base. Agriculture and commodity prices are at multi-year highs. There have been multiple instances of statement that at leat now we (the county) are in the game. Please take the time and review the File 6 of the December 29, 2010 meeting and the comments of John Bull. Another worth while meeting is the January 25, 2010 meeting and the comments of Kevin Carver and Brewster Rhodes.

That balance, while facing expected cuts in funding from that state, was built on county cuts to multiple departments and the chickens began to come home to roost with the appearance of Fred Vogue for file 13. Fred had earlier that day been to a meeting in Oxford with the Three Valley Conservation Trust.  Fred was here to speak about the farm land preservation program that has historically had Preble County farms scoring among the highest in the state. The scoring includes a section where a possible four points are awarded based on a county’s efforts towards farm land preservation, among other things. What this means is that cuts to areas like OSU Extension, Soil & Water and the like may have now impacted the possibility of $500,000 a year coming to Preble County from this program.  Once again, files 10 through 13 have been transcribed as best I could and the audio is up to listen to, so read, listen and give it all some thought. Listen to Fred Vogue. This is not the time to be negatively impacting what may be economically the strongest part of the county economy. Goose Creek may turn out to be everything the Commissioners dream of but let’s at least take a realistic look at what is being given up for it.

It is your county people, read, listen and think for yourselves.

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

March 2,  2011

Meeting audio and review

Three Commissioners in attendance

File 1

I. OPEN MEETING

II. CALL OF ROLL

III. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

IV. PRAYER

V. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE FEBRUARY 23RD REGULAR SESSION MEETING

3 Minute mark   VI. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Gentleman (JJ) speaking on Eaton Armory. He would like endorsement of or a letter written to the Adjutant General to come down and see the Armory.

End 18 minute mark on CD – 4.12 MB

File 2

SHAWNDA COMBS – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

She has been meeting with the local businesses on retention visits.

23 Minute mark    Mentions local country clubs. Did not mention Country Side of New Paris.

24 Minute mark    Highlighting Goose Creek…

25 Minute mark    Discussion of Business Expo

26.5 Minute mark    Mention of Entrepreneur from New Paris.

27 Minute mark    Business plans.  

28.5 Minute mark   Attended Richmond Airport meeting with David.

30 Minute mark    Continuing to meet with townships. Attended township trustee meeting.

32.5 Minute mark    Has been talking to the Engineer about infrastructure and development needs.

33.25 Minute mark    Tourism – Heaven's Corner Zoo.

35 Minute mark   Expo – Agricultural – Home & Business theme.

36 minute mark on cd  

18 minutes – 4.12 MB

File 3

36 Minute mark   AMANDA DALTON – HEAVEN’S CORNER UPDATE

37 Minute mark   Amanda is a full time volunteer at the Zoo. Concern is over new state law and zoos. Her husband and she own a metal working business on County Line road.

38 Minute mark    Animals acquired from rescues and other owners. Increased attendance by 35% last year.  Operates on donations.

39 Minute mark    Been around for 20 years.

39.5 Minute mark    Concern over legislation.   

40.5 Minute mark    Heaven's Corner would be required to join one or two organizations that the Humane Society of the United States is financially tied to. Have to pay fees to join and create an expense that the zoo cannot afford. The zoo is currently a federally licensed and inspected facility, same inspector as the Columbus & Cincinnati zoos.

Would like the Commissioners to call Governor and others to voice support for zoo and bring up impact. Zoo would not be able to take many rescue animals in the future. They can keep what they have but when they die that would be it. This would lead to more animals being euthanized if they have nowhere to go.

46.5 Minute mark   Shawnda Combs – That's a little bit about in my report about in regard to tourism. Heaven's Corner being our first launch and campaign as a county wide tourism…  It is important that we support Heavens Corner and if you use a muliplier effect. She has here that we had over 7,500 visitors in 2010. An average multiplier for these types of events is $65 a person. They also eat; spend gas so if you multiply by 7,500 you get an idea of the economic impact to the county.

Amanda Dalton – We contribute significantly to local businesses and when visitors come to the zoo they are asking where do we eat at? Where do we shop at?  Mentions Taste of the Town event.

50 minute mark on cd  

14 minutes – 3.21 MB

File 4

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #162-11-149

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $8,130.00 FOR PURCHASE OF TYPE 5 GUARDRAIL, TYPE A ANCHOR ASSEMBLY, TYPE TEST BRIDGE TERMINAL ASSEMBLY – ENGINEER

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #163-11-149

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $14,136.00 FOR PURCHASE OF (2) PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BOX BEAMS – ENGINEER

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #164-11-149

RE: AUTH. PAYMENT – BUILD. MAINT. ($4,272.00); LANDFILL FORCE MAIN CONST. ($3,091.00); INMATE COMMISSARY ($425.85); SHERIFF ($285.28); PROS. ATTY. ($127.00); CHILD. SVS. ($1,592.45); WORKFORCE DEV. ($858.00)

D. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #165-11-149

RE: MORAL OBLIGATION – VARIOUS DEPTS.

E. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #166-11-149

RE: TRANSFER OF FUNDS – VARIOUS FUNDS

F. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #170-11-149

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $18,361.00 FOR PURCHASE OF 2011 DODGE NITRO SPORT UTILITY MODEL KA5L74 – ENGINEER – State purchasing program.

54.5 Minute mark   CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF & APPROVE BY SIGNING A PERSONNEL ACTION

RE: RETIREMENT OF DONNA NESTER – JOB & FAMILY SVS.

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM THE SHERIFF

RE: PAY RATE ADJUSTMENT PER CONTRACT FOR JOANNA FRYMAN – SHERIFF – Going from $17.16 per hour to &17.17 an hour

C. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LEGAL AD

RE: NOTICE OF 2ND PUBLIC HEARING – FY11 CHIP PROGRAMS

D. NOTE RECEIPT OF A PETITION FOR ROAD VACATION FROM GASPER TOWNSHIP & FURTHER CONSIDER SETTING THE DATE OF PUBLIC HEARING AS MARCH 23, 2011 AT 10:00 A.M. Old Camden Pike

E. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. #167-11-149

RE: AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO PROCEED BY FORCE ACCOUNT PER ORC SECTION 5543.19 FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2011

F. NOTE RECEIPT OF (8) BRIDGE PROJECTS FORCE ACCOUNT ESTIMATES AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER

G. NOTE RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM ROBERT RICHARDS DESIGNATING STANTON GARRETT AS HIS ALTERNATE TO THE PREBLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION AND FURTHER CONSIDER APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT

H. NOTE RECEIPT OF (6) COURT ORDERS FROM JUDGE DUES (See previous two meetings)

RE: PAY RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR JO ANN BARKER, ELIZABETH O’CONNELL, DAWNA JOHN, MARIAN SCHMIDT, PENNY MCGUIRE, JENIFER OVERMYER – JUVENILE COURT/PROBATE COURT

I. NOTE RECEIPT OF & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A LEGAL AD, BID SPECS & BID FORM

RE: DRILLING SERVICES – LANDFILL

59.6 minute mark on cd  

9.42 minutes – 2.22 MB

File 5

GINNY SHRIMPLIN – CORSA OVERVIEW

*** Not reviewed

2 hr. 18 minute mark on cd  

1 hr.  18.12 minutes – 17.8 MB

File 6

IV-D CONTRACT DISCUSSIONS

Commissioner Wesler – Ok Connie are we back on? Ok it is about five after one.

Meeting concerning Maximus.

2 hr. 19.5 Minute mark    Jennifer comes to podium.

2 hr. 26.5 Minute mark     Chris Washington comes in late. Commissioner Wesler mentions 4E contract and need to maximize every possible portion of revenue.

Chris Washington it was more work than it was worth. Income not exceeding expense…ton more work. Same staff level today as he had 30 years ago.

2 hr. 35 Minute mark   Chris Day – Goal not to create more work but save dollars.

2 hr. 41 minute mark on cd  

23 minutes – 5.26 MB

File 7

BID RECOMMENDATIONS/AWARD

A. NOTE RECEIPT OF BID RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COUNTY ENGINEER & FURTHER CONSIDER AWARDING BID AS RECOMMENDED

RE: 2011 STRIPING PROJECT

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF BID RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COUNTY ENGINEER & FURTHER CONSIDER AWARDING BID AS RECOMMENDED

RE: 2011 CHIP & SEAL PROJECT

2 hr. 43 Minute mark    AGREEMENTS & CONTRACTS

A. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEEMENT W/PREBLE COUNTY EMA – $20,000.00 – LEPC

B. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: URINALYSIS TESTING BY TASC AGREEMENT W/EATON COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

C. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: PREBLE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER SERVICES AGREEMENT W/ JACK DEEM – $600.00 – PLANNING COMMISSION

D. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AMENDMENT.

RE: AMENDMENT TO WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS AGREEMENT W/ AECOM TECHNICAL SERVICES INC. – EXTENDING CONTRACT COMPLETION DATE – PCSD #2

E. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AMENDMENT.

RE: AMENDMENT TO PEST EXTERMINATION AGREEMENT W/ ALL PEST EXTERMINATING, INC. – EXTENDING CONTRACT – $360.00 – SHERIFF

F. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING AN AGREEMENT

RE: AGGREGATE AGREEMENT W/MORROW GRAVEL CO., DBA WALLS MATERIAL – $1,000.00 – ENGINEER

G. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING A LETTER TO PACC COMPANY

RE: TERMINATION OF HERBICIDAL CONTROL PROJECT CONTRACT

H. NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING (2) AGREEMENTS

RE: JOB CENTER OFFICE ASSISTANT SERVICES AGREEMENTS W/ TIFFANY HARRIS AND CANDACE BUNDY – WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

2 hr. 49 Minute mark    TRAVEL REQUESTS

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FOLLOWING TRAVEL REQUESTS

A. RES. #168-11-149 – RON SMITH & JIM RAY – ENGINEER  Cost not exceed $20

B. RES. #169-11-149 – SHERIFF MICHAEL SIMPSON – SHERIFF FOJ      Cost not exceed $NO COST TO THE COUNTY

2 hr. 50.25 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler – need to note receipt of the notice of time and location of a second hearing to the owners of land affected by a proposed rezoning classification. – March 30 at 9:30 a.m. in Commission office.

Commissioner Wesler – And also I've got Resolution #171 authorizing the expenditure of $4,242 for the purchase and installation of a new computer file server, operating software and a computer backup for use at the Preble County Sanitary Landfill and the Preble County Solid Waste Management District. Requested quotes from two companies and OptiVise was the only to respond.

2 hr. 58.5 minute mark on cd  

17.5 minutes – 3.99MB

File 8

2 hr. 58.5 Minute mark   Discussion on scanner at courthouse entrance, current one will be eight years old in April.

3 hr. 7 Minute mark  Discussion on need for the x-ray machine.

Judge previously court ordered it for Courthouse security.

3 hr. 10 Minute mark   Steve Simmons comes in room.

3 hr. 11.5 minute mark on cd  

13 minutes – 2.98 MB

File 9

STEVE SIMMONS – DITCH ASSESSMENTS ON COUNTY ROADS

3 hr. 13 Minute mark   Commissioner Day – So have these all been paid by General Fund all these years?

Connie – All these years.

Steve Simmons – That's what it says though doesn't it?

3 hr. 14 Minute mark  Steve Simmons – $3,000 is a lot of money when you don't have it, I mean $300,000.

3 hr. 22 minute mark on cd  

10.31 minutes – 2.40 MB

File 10

Connie – Bob, do you want me to get the Sheriff on the line?

Commissioner Stonecash – That's fine.

3 hr. 22.5 Minute mark   Sheriff Simpson on speakerphone.

Questions on CPU and $340 cost being paid twice if it does not work.

Questions on need for scanner vs. checking purses, packages and such.

Goose Creek Discussion

3 hr. 26.5 Minute mark   Connie – I do have the environmental engineering agreement, Frank Leon's agreement, signed and approved by Katie. I do have that right here in case for everybody to proceed with it. Includes everything that he has done thus far for us.

Commissioner Day – That would be the ahh for the water and waste water side of ahh Goose Creek. That would be ahhm to initiate the engineering ahhh that agreement basically what it does is would give them enter into an agreement with his ahhm environmental services that's it.

Connie – Environmental Engineering Services.

Commissioner Day – Yes, Environmental Engineering Services. Enter an agreement with them ahh to use the monies that we have approved through OPWC the engineering portion of the water and waste water side of Goose Creek. Continued explanation..

3 hr. 29 Minute mark   ….on the hook for those payments.

3 hr. 31 Minute mark   Commissioner Day – We are at the point where we have to start putting money into this to move this thing forward.

Meeting March 10 at 10:00 in Chambers

3 hr. 32 Minute mark   Commissioner Day – The bottom line is that's pretty much our options on the water and waste water at this point. You guys have been in enough things that you know that there is not a lot of dollars out there. There is still money out there, I've talked to several different people that it was put in the stimulus for water and waste water. No one knows what's going to happen to that it is primarily at this point earmarked for that, but it is just sitting on the shelf. Ahh I was just talking to the Engineer a minute ago. In the current bill for funding ahhm OPWC Issue 2 monies, they have put money in there for any transportation, local transportation monies have been put into the bill but the ahh ahh the capital improvement monies has not been put into the bill and that's the money that we get all of our Issue 2 projects funded through and at this point that is not in the bill. Along with the ahh Clean Ohio funds ahhh the money for the brown fields, none of that has been put into the budget as of this point. Ahh and I just got an email and I read it over my phone but I haven't had a chance to read it all the details but ahh that's what he and I were talking about getting a draft and a letter up and getting it to the Governor, the Department of Transportation, whoever we needed to but those monies have been pulled out. I don't want to say pulled out they just have not been submitted for funding to date. So I know we had talked about possibly some Issue 2 funding on that ahh but if it looks like that at this point it may be something there is going to be no funding for this year.

Commissioner Stonecash – Oh but I forget the approximate figure for a package plant.

Commissioner Day – Ahh the between the water and waste water if I remember correctly and I am shooting strictly from the top of my head we are looking somewhere between $5 and $6 million for two of those does that sound about right Connie? Cause then we were looking at about 5-6 million dollars of water and waste water, we were looking at 8 – 10 million worth of road improvements and things like that. Those are very general Bob I'd have to dig

Commissioner Stonecash – That's ok I just and that includes the water tower including everything.

Commissioner Day – That's including in what's being included that's – the water treatment plant, the tower, everything on that site, waste water plant, everything to take care of that on that site. The water lines and things like that are comingled with the road project because the water lines, sewer lines, gas lines and things like that were to be addressed in the road project. Anything distribution, collection is out in the right of way included in the road projects.

Medications Some medications cause irreversible damage to the ear, buy cialis check out for more info and are limited in their use for this reason.

Commissioner Stonecash – Is there anything that would need to be done next Thursday ahh to be ready to pull the trigger? Other than to instruct Frank to go ahead.  

Commissioner Day – We sign the project the thing that we have to do is ahh I guess the question and I have to ask Connie. I am not sure how at this point we are entering into a contract that we're looking at not paying back for probably three to five years. Usually the way this works is design portion and bidding portion usually takes two – three years. By the time you get it awarded, you get construction you're usually another two years. About a five year process and then you are looking at having to pay this money back. Starting paying the money back.

Commissioner Stonecash – The five year process you are saying is trying to find something ready to go.

Commissioner Day – Yeah, we are looking to do that at a quicker rate but when ever construction is complete and you close out the loan, that's when the payback starts and this planning loan will be rolled into the construction loan.

Commissioner Stonecash – The longer we wait, the longer we have results.

Commissioner Day – I don't have the dollars the numbers in front of me. I need to pull that stuff out and refresh my memory but you know we have done some projections and if we can get some people on board up there as soon as it is place we are going to have some revenue streams. Ahh and I'll have to pull those numbers out I've got them laying back there. I didn't realize we were going to discuss this or I would have been a little better prepared.

Commissioner Stonecash – Maybe next Monday would be a good time to discuss it?

Commissioner Wesler – maybe find out goes at the next meeting

Commissioner Stonecash – Well that's right I have it written down, yeah that's a week away.

Commissioner Day – Do what Connie?

Connie – I have some more questions for Frank on Thursday.

Commissioner Stonecash – I should be saying a week from Monday.

Connie – Yeah

Commissioner Stonecash – You know I think that project has been going on for ten years or so. It's time it happened as far as far as I am concerned.

Commissioner Wesler – Not quite that long but

Commissioner Stonecash – I just threw that out for

Commissioner Day – Well we are at the point where we either pursue it or we let it go.

Commissioner Stonecash – Well

Commissioner Day – I mean

Commissioner Stonecash – I don't see how we can let it go.

Commissioner Day – The problem is we're going to have to invest money into this just like we do everything else. Ahh there is no free rides out there.

Commissioner Stonecash – Right.

Commissioner Day – We need to make the decision of are we willing to invest in it and we've got the numbers back there if we got no additional funding whatever we know what the payoff would be upon completion date or estimates and that is all going to be dependent on. You know we are looking at a lot of things, the bids come in lower than anticipated, there are a lot of things coming in right now at a good bid rate. Ahh some are higher but

Commissioner Stonecash – Well for my part, I would like for us to put together the numbers and talk about it a week from Monday and see if we are able to move forward.

3 hr. 39 minute mark on cd  

17.03 minutes – 3.90 MB

File 11

3 hr. 39 Minute mark   Connie – Hello? Yes, alright.

Sheriff Mike Simpson on speakerphone. Just got off phone from Smith's Detection on courthouse scanner. If they install it they will give one year parts and labor. It will require a new quote.

3 hr. 41 Minute mark   Commissioner Day – What other questions do you have Connie?

Connie – I was this contract here is for $391,000. So I am lacking everything but the proper certification.

Commissioner Day – My question is how do we how does the Auditor handle something like that where you are going enter into a contract and you are not going to start repaying that for "X". I mean this is what we ran into trying to get Mindy to sign off on some of the other things that we did up there. Ahhm

Commissioner Wesler – I guess this is still question

Connie – I have to talk to him about some of the loans  ??? of the loans, absorb some of this?  

Commissioner Day – Ah this gets all gets rolled into the construction loan

Connie – Right

Commissioner Day – And at that point in time we'll be the repayment will be on the construction. Is how that works.

Connie – Right

Commissioner Day – So this is kind of like ahh an advance.

Connie – Well then maybe I can get the schedule of maybe a more well once we realize once we once we know what we are doing, the I can get a better timeline from Frank and I'll just have to have this recertified every year. That's how that that's how that will work.

Commissioner Day – Yeah ok I see for budgetary reasons you're going to have to have that dollar amount certified. It's going to act like a note.

Connie – Exactly.

Commissioner Day – Is how you are going to have to handle, I see where you're, I didn't understand what you were looking at. That's going to have to be handled like a note to where you just recertify it and it rolls over every year and it will be handled in the same manner, you'll have to set up a separate fund for it.

Connie – Right

Commissioner Day – It'll be handled as a note and each year you recertify and at the point in time that we start making payments you have to recertify the amount that will be

Connie – Exactly.

Commissioner Day – Ahh applied towards it every year. But that yeah I see what you are saying. That will have to certified in that manner. So do you ok the next question is how do you get an Auditor, how do you get a certification on I see what you're

Connie – Yeah, I'm still thinking.

Commissioner Wesler – Well we'll give you time to get that discussed at your next meeting on the 10th. Then we can have a meeting and find out further information by then. Anything else Connie?

Connie – Well no unless you want to talk personnel…

Commissioner Day – What is our current appropriations?

Commissioner Wesler – 8.

Connie –  $9,618,346.03

Commissioner Day – And that is current as of today?

Connie –  mmh (affirmative)

3 hr. 45 minute mark on cd  

6 minutes – 1.37 MB

File 12

3 hr. 45.25 Minute mark   Commissioner Wesler – Ok you guys have anything else?

Commissioner Day – Yesterday when we were at Deer creek, when George Tablack…. all county administrators.. establishing yearend balance … minimum of 15% or higher.

DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL RESERVE FUND – discussion

Commissioner Wesler – Give up to 5% per year of your prior year's revenues you're allowed to set aside in a cash reserve balance fund.

*Commissioner Day – 15% would be 1.44 cash balance.

Commissioner Wesler – But aren't you only allowed to do 5% per year?

Commissioner Day – no no that's this would be 15% would be the cash balance that I feel we need to have going from year to year. You can establish a budget stabilization fund

Commissioner Wesler – Right.

Commissioner Day – That's separate of up to 5% of your previous ahmm of your previous budget. Previous appropriation, I said that wrong.

Commissioner Wesler – I thought it was revenues.

Connie – ????

Commissioner Day – It doesn't say this in here, this was on my notes and we can contact her because I actually asked her some of these out in the hallway afterwards some things came to my mind. Because that question wasn't asked. You can put in this budget stabilization fund and what this is for is in times like we are in now where if we have ahhm we see unexpected cuts as we may see shortly we can use that money to help offset some of those cuts and kind of even the flow out till we can figure out so that. For instance, our budget when I came in was right around $10 million. You can put 5% of that in this fund which would be half a million dollars. We could have used that half a million to balance out some these when we're looking at cuts and that is all that this can be used for.

Or if you were looking at how to make payments on a loan that would be coming due in 3-5 years this would be a way to borrow from now to cover your butt later.

Ahh but you can put up to 5% and I don't know if it was the previous year's budget or the previous year's appropriations….

Commissioner Wesler – But they prefaced it that it is more or less your savings account. And like you said it does help iron out the budget. Here's the problem Chris, is the perception of what is enough? I think we had somebody up there say that they had quite a large carry over and there ahh I don't know who it was. There Deputies said you guys need to tap into that. And he is like no this isn't just for salaries this is for more than just for salaries. I can't remember which administrator said that but do you recall that conversation?

Commissioner Day – That was the ahhm

Commissioner Wesler – That was that George wasn't it?

Commissioner Day – That was George. He was right around where Youngstown was at it was the county next door. Mahoning         

3 hr. 50.5 Minute mark  Commissioner Wesler – No it was that Nick from Summit County (Akron)  that said they had a large reserve and I can't remember how many millions he said when they came to doing some layoffs that the deputies came to them and said "Hey you guys need to tap into that now and he said no, he said that is not for salary structure that is of the you know the main operating budget.

Commissioner Day – It could be used for salaries it could be used for whatever you deem necessary.  There you go, like debt service on a loan…  That would be a decision you would have to make depending on what you are facing. But the bottom line is that you can put 5% of your previous year's and I am thinking appropriations, it may be budget, revenues, I am not sure into a fund so that you can kind of ebb and flow out any of these ups and downs. They feel that this is a very important tool to have in place and that is above and beyond what they feel they need in their cash carry over.

Connie – What did they, did they establish the fund?

Commissioner Day – They established

Connie – Outside of the General Fund?

Commissioner Day – Outside the General Fund that they can put this in. Ahh it ahh fund is separate reserve account established outside the General Fund and by the Board of County Commissioners by resolution. Ant then that is there like I said if we would see something that we would need to balance

Commissioner Wesler – That's the question not to touch it and how to leave it in place.

Commissioner Day – That is something that the Board would have to do by discussion but to me that's a good management tool.

Commissioner Wesler – Oh it is.

Commissioner Day – and I'll give you and I thought about it a little bit. You know the the huge rate we saw in the Health care when we jumped. I mean that is something that obviously we had to put some money into that. That could have been where that money was utilized by trying to figure out how we are going to get through to next year and things like that. And I wasn't aware that we could do that. So that may be something and we need to establish two things; how much cash we want to carry over each year and then I think we need to establish this fund to put some money in so that we also have another are to help money in the future.  And that was one area that I was not aware of.

Commissioner Wesler – You're right, several good things came out of that meeting. I picked up on that to; I haven't been able to get my stuff out of my packet because we received a lot of things but ahh in this ahh in this ahh

Connie – It was a good meeting or seminar.

Commissioner Day – Yeah they went over a lot of things that we all know, we've all doubt with. The one thing one of the things, this is my take on the meeting and I think these guys will probably agree. The one thing that they did stress throughout the entire throughout most of the meetings is; here's your mandatory things, here's your discretionary items cause I think we are going to get down to where we are going to have to make some decisions here depending on what comes out of Columbus.

Commissioner Wesler – Right

Commissioner Day – Ahh and and you know they went in each way whoever was discussing about whatever they you know they went through the mandatory and the discretionary no matter what portion that they were talking about.

Commissioner Wesler – Yeah they did. We've been pulling all that stuff together cause you're right it will be March 15th March 16th we'll know. So we've got to be ready and prepared because I think with our carry over balance right now isn't there at least a few people around that think that is too much of a balance for us to be carrying.  

Commissioner Stonecash –  (chuckling) Well those few people are wrong. (chuckling) * Ahhh guys scroll up, Chris just put that number at 1.44 million – "Commissioner Day – 15% would be 1.44 cash balance.".

Commissioner Wesler – So, but no that that

Commissioner Stonecash – As you noticed from some other counties that had a lot millions of dollars in their carry-over, it went away.

Commissioner Wesler – And this exact thing it is is an excellent thing to have but right now when we are getting ready to receive the cuts and everything we're not exactly sure where anybody is going to go. So this would be better served in a an upswing market when we're looking for places to tuck some extra dollars to help the ahh budgets. So you have anything else?

Commissioner Day – No.

Commissioner Wesler – Do you have anything?

Commissioner Stonecash – No I don't think I do.

Commissioner Wesler – You know it worth having a discussion with Mindy at least also.

Commissioner Stonecash – We need to have a session with Mindy on the things we have going up north. So that she ahh doesn't come up with a surprise.  See June 9, 2010 meeting or listen to File 9A   

Commissioner Wesler – I think Connie is going to have a discussion with her there.

3 hr. 55.75 minute mark on cd  

10.51 minutes – 2.48 MB

File 13

3 hr. 55.75 Minute mark    Commissioner Wesler – Fred we are just about done, do you have any comments that you would like to make? If you do come up, you gotta come up.

Fred Voge (former County Commissioner) – You might save a little money turning that heat down.

Commissioner Stonecash – You were here before we were and we haven't been able to figure it out. Did you?

Fred Voge – It never got that hot upstairs did Connie?

Commissioner Stonecash – Oh were you upstairs, I am sorry.

Commissioner Wesler – Yeah yeah

Commissioner Stonecash – I forgot you were that old.

Fred Voge – I'm here to ask and hopefully maybe get a little help or clarification. I am in the process of preparing an application for the farm land preservation program we have here in Ohio. I've had my big farm approved for that in the past and my family has had a number of farms approved as well as other people in the county and that brought in millions and millions and millions of dollars to Preble County. Net dollars. Most of that has went right into Preble County, deposited in Preble County Banks, used to improve the existing farms or add on to them and what not.

Commissioner Wesler – mmmhhh (affirmative)

Fred Voge – There is one section of this application —- Department of Agriculture and its points for this application and I hope you guys are aware but there is one section that you can get potentially four points and that is based upon the county's efforts, your county government's efforts towards farm land preservation. As far as helping making those farms more viable and all of that kind of stuff. Historically Preble County farms have gotten 2 – 3 points on that application out of a potential 4. It is my understanding that could drop down to one point this year. Whereas farms that are less than one mile away from my farm would actually be in Montgomery County they're going to pick up the 4 points. So that places my farm and Preble County farms at a distinct disadvantage to other farms in the area of south west Ohio. That money — about $3,000,000 a year is spit up in to quadrants and then there is a cap of like $500,000 per year per county.  I haven't been to hardly any of the meetings but I am hearing that our new economic development director has touted some efforts towards enhancing agriculture and all that but whether that is an accurate story that I have heard or not. I think Connie is the one who has to fill out a report for three valley each year as far as what the county puts into that. My question would be is there any of that economic development department expense that can be attributed to enhancing agriculture in the county or whatever?

Commissioner Wesler – Well what has changed since you're last application when you said you were getting 3 points possibly and now it is down to 1. What changed?

Fred Voge – I don't know.

Connie – Some of our expenses have went down. I just send out letters to people like the Recorder, the Engineer, the Drainage Department. The way that Larry  ???man has explained it to me is there is certain expenses that can be captured and I have to capture try to capture them all. Then I submit what those departments submit to me to Larry and he uses them for this point factoring.

Commissioner Wesler – Well why would your submitting what you need to submit, why would that be a deterrent for these

Fred Voge – Well I evidently — county some of them have gone down.

Connie – some have gone down because of the cuts and things like that you know. Soil &

Commissioner Wesler – So if you are accurately reporting what more can we do?

Connie – ..accurately reporting, it's just that things have gone you know because services have gone down.

Commissioner Day – So what you're saying is the point system is somehow rated to the dollars that were spent here in the county towards agriculture? And what

Connie – In that particular section is it 4 points you can get?

Fred Voge – It's my understanding.

Connie – I don't know, you know

Commissioner Day – I've seen an application, I've never filled one out so I don't know what you are looking at.

Connie – I just gather the expenses like Larry asks me to and you know what ever the departments send me I just send along to Larry and he formulates. He is the one who does the scoring or helps. He tells me to try to capture everything I can.

Commissioner Stonecash – So you're saying that Montgomery County is spending more in to relation to what ours has gone down theirs has gone up?

Fred Voge – That is what they told me in Oxford just a couple hours ago. I would have never dreamt that could happen in my lifetime but that's what they're telling. And it is very pathetic, very pathetic and you know I can understand you know wanting to do all you can for the economic development but you're doing all that but I am telling you this money is real economic development also.

Commissioner Stonecash – But you got to understand also that some of that economic development and stuff that Shawnda is working on is geared toward agriculture also.

Fred Voge – While I am hoping

Commissioner Stonecash – It's not like it's been thrown aside, if anything she's upped it. The bar

Fred Voge – Well I don't know but I have heard that and I sure hope that's accurate. I guess my question is there any way we can capture some of that for this application. According to our County Recorder's report a large portion of that expense is being paid by the farmers and the farmland and the transfer of that farm land anyway. That report from last year.

Commissioner Day – I guess what we need to know though is I don't know what the questions asked and what they're looking for. So we need to know that information before we can answer your question.

Commissioner Wesler – Well we need to talk to Larry and find out about how we can maximize anything that we are accuratey reporting.

Connie – He's scheduled to come in in the next couple weeks.

Commissioner Wesler – Is he? Ok

Commissioner Day – When does the application have to be in?

Fred Voge – April 6th.

Connie – Do they have many this year?

Fred Voge – Ahhm I don't know it sounded like they do now there's a half million —-

Commissioner Day – That's what Preble County is eligible for a year. But I guess what we need to know like David said we need to talk to Larry. I need to know what questions he's asking and is he asking the right is he looking in the right place?

Fred Voge – See there's a maximum per quadrant, the quadrant that Preble is in also includes Montgomery, Greene, Clarke County, I think might include Butler County also. So for an example I am going to tell you that there is maybe a million and a half dollars maximum available for this quadrant. Well if Clark County scores you know if they utilize their full $500,000, the scores that are say are 120 and Greene County comes along and they utilize their full $500,000 allotment with scores that are somewhere in that range and then Montgomery County comes along and it sounds like they sure enough will use up their entire $500,000 allotment with scores that are going to be in that range. Then all the Preble County farms come in at say even 119, Preble County is going to get zero…..What I am trying to do is guard against that happening in Preble County.

Commissioner Wesler – Well did you say you don't know when Larry is coming in but

Connie – I've got him scheduled. I don't know without checking the calendar though.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok

Connie – But I think by that time, I think I am going to have to place a phone call to him prior to that. Because by that time he will have most of these resolutions in hand that he will want the Board to consider. So I'll have to call Larry and see exactly what he wants to focus on. The questions to ask to Shawnda and what we can possibly get out of that department.

Commissioner Wesler – In other words we will legally see if we can place anything more in there that will help maximize anymore points.

Connie – I mean there is not going to be a whole lot there because Shawnda started when I November of last year?

Commissioner Wesler – October 4th.

Connie – October so see there is not a whole lot that we can get from the economic development department to contribute in 2010 and that is what he asking me for is 2010 expenses.

Commissioner Day – I guess I would be curious of what question he is asking because is he collecting all the data for that question? I don't know.

Connie – Ok

Fred Voge – It is important that we get it all. I'd like to see Preble remain a competitive player in that whole thing. Who knows how long it will last.

Commissioner Day – I guess my question to Larry is what has changed cause everybody else has had reductions and things like that. It seems like they would all be comparably comparable.

Fred Voge – You would think so but evidently they haven't had the reductions as far as agriculture goes. Or their point wouldn't be going up and ours going down. Seriously.

Commissioner Day – Like I said I would be curious to see

Fred Voge – I'd get a hold of him as soon as possible.

Commissioner Wesler – Ok

Fred Voge – Thank you.

Commissioner Wesler – Thank you very much Fred.

ADJOURN

4 hr. 8.4 minute mark on cd  

12.4 minutes – 2.89 MB