The January 3, 2011, meeting had Preble County Auditor Mindy Robbins in Chamber for her General Fund Financial Update. Mindy had been predicting a $1,700,000 unencumbered carry-over.  The county ended up with a $2,473,046.23 carry-over, of which $2,130,163.15 is unencumbered.  

I continue to feel that the recurrence of this Christmas surprise in the budget only adds to a feeling of the county having done better than expected and county employees naturally thinking about a raise in pay.  It has become obvious to department heads in October when the total will exceed the lowball figure given throughout the year. It should not be a surprise that raises are a topic at budget hearings the rest of the year. I recall picking up the cds and mentioning to a Commissioner my feelings on this and that the carry-over would be around $2,200,000 at a time the Auditor was still claiming hope for $1,700,000. I listen to audio, for crying out loud, and came closer to the actual number.

The discrepancy was also a source of discussion last year and these links will reflect that:

January 20, 2010

Preble County Auditor’s Accounting Method Becomes Issue

http://www.citizensforpreblecounty.com/news/?p=879

January 4, 2010

http://www.citizensforpreblecounty.com/news/?p=702

9:15 A.M.  MINDY ROBBINS (GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL UPDATES)

Estimated cash balance as of January 6, 2010 – $1,369,000

Estimated cash balance end of month – $1,142,438.73

Unencumbered cash – $1,129,608.11

File 5 has Shawnda Combs, the Preble County Economic Development Director, in for an update. On this front, it appears Preble County is headed in a better direction. I still think there needs to be more emphasis on Exit 156 B at the Stateline. Richmond has a Best Buy being built and we can’t even get a Google Earth shot of the area at 156 A on the County website. Retail won’t be the whole answer to needed jobs but it would certainly aid county finances via sales tax. Heck, maybe the county could even remove the half percent sales tax as promised years ago when the jail was built. The jail is now paid for, what about the tax?

File 9 has the beginning of what reminded me of a whack a mole game. The commissioners, as previously reported, have passed the 2011 budget. No one was to get pay raises, some department heads passed them out any how. Well, TASK apparently found money, at least pending state budget cuts, to give raises within the budget that had just been approved. The commissioners apparently sensed a growing morale issue and had Judge Dues in, who explained what was going on to the satisfaction of Commissioner Day & Stonecash, who voted to note receipt of the letters on the issue in File 11. Commissioner Wesler voted “no” which upheld his position on his previous “no” vote for the 2011 budget because of raises. He raised the issue of departments cutting employees and then using the budgeted money to pass out raises. His view echos concerns I wrote about when I posted the review of the December 22, 2010 meeting.

File 11 revealed the growing discontent of some getting raises while others did not. The Board of Elections was going to be coming in for… you guessed it passing out pay raises after the budget was approved. Commissioner Stonecash asked if either of the other commissioners had a conversation with the Board of Elections on the issue. Chris Day had not, David Wesler explained that he had long practiced sending out notes explaining his votes and that he had done so since well before Commissioner Stonecash & Day had been elected. David explained “it could have been mine (notes); it could have been your favorite website." (that alerted the Board of Elections to some getting raises).  No one said what the name of the insightful website was; I tried to find out and Googled “Preble County Ohio 2011 budget”.

File 12 closes the meeting with the Board of Elections in and it appears that they may back off the pay raises at their next meeting. The Commissioners explained that the Auditor had backed off and would not give raises, that the Clerk of Courts would becoming under the Commission pay scale after a review by John Krock. I transcribed most of this meeting to show that while department leadership are willing to work together they do not want their employees to be left out if someone is getting raises. I can understand their position

Preble County, Ohio

County Commissioners

January 3,  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. PUBLIC COMMENTS

VI. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE JOURNALIZATION & NOTE RECEIPT OF THE CD RECORDATION BOTH AS THE OFFICIAL MINUTES FOR THE DECEMBER 29TH REGULAR SESSION MEETING.

End 4.08 minute mark on CD – 996 kb

File 2

VII. APPROVAL OF VOUCHERS

NOTE RECEIPT & CONSIDER APPROVAL BY SIGNING THE VOUCHERS AS SUBMITTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR, #1- #117.

5.75 Minute mark   VIII. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 1-11-147

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

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 2-11-147

RE: AUTH. EXPEND. – $20,740.00 FOR PURCHASE OF GRITS – ENGINEER

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 30-11-147

RE: AUTH. PAYMENTS – CLERK OF COURTS ($189.95); VICTIM WITNESS ($68.98)

8.75 Minute mark   IX. CORRESPONDENCE & REPORTS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 3-11-147

RE: AUTH. PREBLE CO. ENGINEER TO EXECUTE & FILE WITH OPWC FUNDING APPLICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF PREBLE COUNTY COMMISIONERS, EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY AND COMPLY WITH ALL RELEVANT LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AS REQUIRED BY OPWC

B. NOTE RECEIPT OF PUBLIC OFFICIAL BOND

RE: BOND FOR COMMISSIONER DAVID WESLER

10.25 Minute mark   X. APPOINTMENTS

A. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 27-11-147

RE: APPT. OF JEFF ADKINS TO FAMILY & CHILDREN FIRST COUNCIL

B. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 28-11-147

RE: APPT. OF SARAH MORRISON TO FAMILY & CHILDREN FIRST COUNCIL – replacing Janet Crelin

C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF RES. # 29-11-147

RE: APPT OF MS. POLLY KRONENBERGER TO LIBRARY BOARD

12 minute mark on cd  

7.52 minutes – 1.80 MB

File 3

XI. TRAVEL REQUESTS

A. RES. # 4-11-147 – MICHAEL L. SIMPSON – SHERIFF FOJ  COST NOT TO EXCEED $1,135.80

B. RES. # 5-11-147 – MICHELLE DAVIS – TASC  COST NOT TO EXCEED $540

C. RES. # 6-11-147 – BECKY SORRELL & MICHELLE WILHOIT – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $370

D. RES. # 7-11-147 – LORI PUCKETT & CLAUDIA MILLER – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

E. RES. # 8-11-147 – BECKY SORRELL & MICHELLE WILHOIT – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $350

F. RES. # 9-11-147 – BECKY SORRELL, LORI PUCKETT, JOHN ABRAMS & AMI MCDIVITT – JFS   COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

G. RES. # 10-11-147 – SANDRA GREEN – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $90

H. RES. # 11-11-147 – JEFF ADKINS – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $210

I. RES. # 12-11-147 – JEFF ADKINS – JFS   COST NOT TO EXCEED $60

J. RES. # 13-11-147 – JEFF ADKINS – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $210

K. RES. # 14-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK, KATHY ROELL, REGINA HAPNER, LIP HARPER, BETH SIZELOVE & SHANNON WEBB – JFS COST NOT TO EXCEED $140

L. RES. # 15-11-147 – BECKY SORRELL & REGINA HAPNER – JFS COST NOT TO EXCEED $245

M. RES. # 16-11-147 – VARIOUS JFS EMPLOYEES (13) – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

N. RES. # 17-11-147 – KURT BACHMAN, JESSICA ISAACS & DANIELLE MCKENZIE – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $380

O. RES. # 18-11-147 – BECKY SORRELL, LORI PUCKETT, SHANNON WEBB, JENNIE KALTENBACK, JOHN ABRAMS, KATHY ROELL & REGINA HAPNER – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $100

P. RES. # 19-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK, REGINA HAPNER, GARRY SPENCER & CAROL WENTLENDER – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $140

Q. RES. # 20-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK & REGINA HAPNER – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

R. RES. # 21-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK, REGINA HAPNER & BECKY SORRELL – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $350

S. RES. # 22-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK, REGINA HAPNER & BECKY SORRELL – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $150

T. RES. # 23-11-147 – JENNIE KALTENBACK, REGINA HAPNER& BECKY SORRELL – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $40

U. RES. # 24-11-147 – LORI PUCKETT, DONELLA HOBBS & SHANNON WEBB – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

V. RES. # 25-11-147 – LORI PUCKETT, SUE WEBER, KRISTA SIZEMORE & AMI MCDIVITT – JFS  COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

W. RES. # 26-11-147 – LORI PUCKETT, JOHN ABRAMS & AMI MCDIVITT – JFS COST NOT TO EXCEED $200

23.25 minute mark on cd  

11.16 minutes – 2.57 MB

File 4

9:15 A.M. – MINDY ROBBINS (GENERAL FUND FINANCIAL UPDATE)

Cash balance: $2,473,046.23

Conveyance fee for December 2010 – $11,229.30

27.25 Minute mark   Unencumbered cash: $2,130,163.15

30 minute mark on cd  

6.46 minutes – 1.54 MB

File 5

9:30 A.M. – SHAWNDA COMBS (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE)

Review of projects.

36.75 Minute mark     Project in need of rail.

39 Minute mark   Two restaurants purchased.

49 Minute mark   Twitter

50 Minute mark   Website has reached five countries. 23 states, 95 cities and towns and 50 locations in the state of Ohio.

For reference here is an image showing viewers of this website for the last 30 days:

 

51.6 Minute mark   Job Center – John Abrams would be a great addition to retention committee.

52Minute mark    CIC mentioned.

52.5 Minute mark    Met with Kleingers on JRS issue.

53 Minute mark   Andrew Gaydosh and Lakengren

Dayton Business Journal

Atrium interested in Preble and has visits from over 13,000 Preble residents a year.

Miami Valley Career Technology Center

55.75 Minute mark     Tourism. Coffee Shops….

Route 40.

55.75 Minute mark   Economic Development story for West Elkton

Camden mentioned.

57.50 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – I guess I'll ask the two of you, Goose Creek are you ready to really ramp Goose Creek up? It won't be long we will be running out of our two year window. I think it is really important…

Shawda Combs – Let me jump in here really quick.

Commissioner Stonecash – that we get this moving.

Shawda Combs – It is moving. I met with Kleingers they provided me with all the materials they have developed for Goose Creek and we have a Goose Creek page in General. We are also picking back up on the water and sewer project……

58.50 Minute mark   Commissioner Day – I think we will be having a meeting here shortly with all the players —- information.

59.25 Minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – …on what the goals are… Rt. 40 by 70 is an important area to as is all areas of Preble County. Asks Shawnda if she has worked on anything with Rt. 40 & 70. Shawda – Not yet.

Shawda Combs – I just talked to Bob the day before yesterday.

Talk of meeting with New Paris Council, Chamber and township.

1 hr.  2 minute mark on cd  

32 minutes – 7.32 MB

File 6

10:00 A.M. – CINDY HITCHCOCK, MARTY BRESHER, SEAN MAGGARD, CHAD HOKE (OFFICE OF LAND USE MANAGEMENT)

1 hr. 3 minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – on expectations.

1 hr. 8 minute mark    Want them all to all know everybody else's job. Cross trained.

1 hr.  12.8 minute mark   Commissioner Chris Day – The rumor mill in this courthouse seems to fly rampantly and that needs to stop. My suggestion is that if you don't have anything positive to say don't say anything.

1 hr.  19 minute mark   GIS Advisory board will be reformed.

1 hr.  21  minute mark   Mention of Goose Creek and ramping up.

1 hr.  25.5 minute mark   Sean Maggard with questions on Tax Map. Supplies, copiers…….

1 hr.  34.5 minute mark   Connie – Steve Simmons will not approve Marty or Cindy to do deeds. Just Sean, Tony and Chad.

1 hr.  40 minute mark on cd  

38 minutes – 8.69 MB

Chiropractors are focused on health instead raindogscine.com viagra samples of sickness.

File 7

1 hr.  42 minute mark    Commissioner Stonecash – Connie do you have anything at this time?

$2.80 transfer.

Anti drug policy from 1988.

Letter from Rebecca Sorrell regarding employment of a county employee. Eligibility and Referral Specialist Two. Shane Cohorn pay range 3 starting at $13.99. First day of employment January 11.

Letter from TASK and copy of their budget.   

1 hr.  49 minute mark   Issue with pay raises being included in their 2011 budget…

1 hr.  55  minute mark   Commissioner Wesler –  Would Michelle be available or Judge Dues or both later to have a scheduled meeting with them? Because this is highly unusual. Especially since the budget was already voted on without these pay raises and these line items.

1 hr. 56 minute mark on cd  

16 minutes – 3.66 MB

File 8

Rebecca Sorrell in Chambers.

Multiple conversations going on.

No real meeting.

2 hr.  4.6  minute mark    Commissioner Stonecash – Ok it is time for our Pre-audit meeting.

2 hr.  5.75 minute mark   Meeting begins.

Same people on committee as last year.

No changes to the Auditor's accounting system.

2 hr.  8 minute mark     Is anyone aware of any possible related party transactions or potential conflicts of interest?

Does anyone suspect fraud in any way with the county?

2 hr.  8.25 minute mark Is there any department or area that you would like us to take a look at?

2 hr.  9.5 minute mark    Question on LGS & GAAP.

2 hr.  11 minute mark   Audit cost expected to be back to 2009 level. GAAP around $70,600. Current estimate is $70,500.

2 hr.  12 minute mark   Request to sign a "Sign in sheet".

2 hr. 18 minute mark on cd  

22 minutes – 5.04MB

File 9

Connie – The Judge is a meeting and Michelle Davis is out today so do you want me to try and get a meeting for Wednesday?

David Wesler will miss Wednesday.

Connie advised to make an appointment for around 1:30.

2 hr.  19 minute mark     Commissioner Stonecash –  What else do you have?

Connie – that is all at this time.

2 hr.  20 minute mark    Connie – You say you want to get the large group together along with Kleingers? Do you want me to schedule a meeting?

2 hr.  21.25 minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – Get her (Shawnda Combs)  pointed towards working more towards that (Goose Creek). I think that is our number one priority, unless you guys think otherwise. I think 320 & 40 and 70 is really another important area, as is all of Preble County. Anything else?

2 hr.  22 minute mark   Connie – We will be looking at this after lunch and then we will more than likely note it.

Extended time of papers being turned.

2 hr.  28.5 minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – Ok, well anyway what is next?

Connie – I will try and get a meeting with Judge Dues this afternoon around 1:30.

2 hr. 29.2 minute mark on cd  

11.16 minutes – 2.57 MB

File 10

Back in session

2 hr.  30.5 minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – It is 2:00 we are back in session with the Honorable Judge Dues.

2 hr.  32 minute mark    Commissioner Stonecash – Concerning your letter on TASK. Staff has not seen raises in over three years and two positions have gone unfilled…..

Judge Dues – Raises within the budget that was submitted.

Commissioner Stonecash – ….Steve is the only one that decided that he had to give his people raises…. we realize this is your call….

Discussion on issue of raises.

Signifigantly below pay of other TASK in state

2 hr.  40 minute mark   Cost of having John Krock come in and analyze pay scale for Clerk of Court. Issue could lead to significantly higher cost than raise under discussion.

Been an issue for 30 years

2 hr. 46.25 minute mark on cd  

11.16 minutes – 2.57 MB

File 11

Commissioner Stonecash – Connie what else do you have?

Connie – Well if you guys would like to note receipt.

Commissioner Day – Where was TASK originated from?

Discussion on TASK and how much it has brought in and spent over last few years.

2 hr.  50 minute mark   Note receipt of letters from Preble County TASK. 2 – 1 VOTE

Commissioner Stonecash – And we have one coming up, do we have any feedback on it at this time?

Commissioner Day – You're talking about the Board of Elections?

Commissioner Stonecash – Yeah

Commissioner Day – Those are General Fund dollars.

2 hr.  52 minute mark  Commissioner Stonecash – (to Commissioner Wesler) have you had any conversation with them?

Commissioner Wesler – I put out notes, I email people about what goes on in the Commission office here. It is just my notes that I started years ago before you guys even came around and ahhm I explained my no vote on the budget the other day and if that is the reason why this is I don't know but ahh. You are right, what stance do we want to take in the future if one of the General Fund Departments wants to cut down from 10 employees to 9, should they keep their budget exactly the same and split the one person between those nine?  Or is that money saved to be turned back to the General Fund?  I mean that is just a question?

Commissioner Stonecash – Yeah once you appropriate the money, we've allowed them to spend if we give them $5,000, we've said it is ok to spend $5,000 for the year 2011. If you have money left over, you turn it back.

Commissioner Day – …as far as them spending money that has been appropriated to them…. I would ask that they abide by those wishes….

Discussion on previous issue raised over budget vote and raises. Commissioner Wesler offers his explanation on what is going on or could happen if this situation is allowed to continue.

2 hr.  56 minute mark   Commissioner Stonecash – Well we gave the appropriations out. We've done this we sent a letter out, regarding this why all of a sudden they just decided to ahh come back with that request I don't no.

Commissioner Wesler – It could have been mine, it could have been on your favorite website. Now wait  minute…

Commissioner Stonecash – I don't have one, at any rate.

Commissioner Wesler – It is public knowledge so ahh

Commissioner Stonecash – The ??? is a great proponent of bringing in everything and getting things under control. It is about time somebody straightened out these departments.  

Commissioner Stonecash – Ok do you have anything else?

Commissioner Wesler – On retirement party he attended.

Commissioner Stonecash – on what the commissioners have accomplished in the last few years, budget, working with elected officials and it being something to be proud of.

RECESS UNTIL 3:00

2 hr. 59.8 minute mark on cd  

13.43 minutes – 3.13MB

File 12

Back in session for Board of Election meeting.

Commissioner Stonecash – …back in session concerning 2011 salary. When we first sent out the letter on the budget we requested that there be no changes in line items for salaries….. Today we received a letter concerning the two girls and we know that you deserve and work hard for these raises as has every other employee in Preble County has. We completed our budget without raises accept for a couple departments that are outside the General Fund. At this time I will turn it over to Roy or Gene for your comments.

Unknown voice – Well these girls do deserve raises, they have worked hard, we have reduced our staff from 4 – 2 basically. They have done a good job you all know that from the elections. We think they are worthy of it…. We also heard there were going to be raises in other departments; you know which ones I am talking about. Specifically the Auditor's Office, the Clerk of Courts Office and we thought if we are going to do that then we're going to be in on the act to.

Commissioner Stonecash – We understand and the Auditor is not going to do that.

Unknown voice – The pay raise is off?

Commissioner Stonecash – That is correct.

Unknown voice – Is that true with the Clerk of Courts?  

Commissioner Stonecash – That is correct.

Unknown voice – Is that true in the Juvenile Judges?

Commissioner Stonecash – That is correct.

Unknown voice – Is there any General Fund employees receiving raises?

Commissioner Stonecash – The Engineer's office that is outside the General Fund is going to give I think 2% raises. We asked him to reconsider that and he chose not to do that. But to my knowledge that is the only department. Is that correct Connie?

Connie – Veterans Services

Commissioner Wesler – The Clerk of Courts and Mindy did reconsider and are not giving raises.

Unknown voice – umm as we are more than happy to discuss this among the Board the Board is going to have an official meeting today. That was voted by the Board so for in order for us to take any action on it ahh we are going to have to wait until there is a board meeting. The earliest one we have scheduled is January 20. There is a possibility one could be called sooner but I don't know peoples schedules. Was there any quid pro quos given to any of these departments, future promises, future considerations?

Commissioner Stonecash – The only, I have made the comment that midyear I would like to look at payroll and see if it is possible. You know the problems that we are facing from the state. You guys hear about them possibly cutting Local Government Funds from 15 – 35% . Whatever number you want to pick out and that is off great concern to us.

2nd Unknown voice – But you would like to look at it in six months.

Commissioner Stonecash – I would but I am 33% of the membership up here.

Unknown voice – I can't speak for the Board but I can tell you we have been team players in the past.

Commissioner Stonecash – We are well aware of that. We would love to give them a dollar.

2nd Unknown voice – About the Sheriff's Office are they giving raises?

Commissioner Stonecash – Well it is in their contract.

Commissioner Wesler – It is in their contract.

Commissioner Stonecash – It was in their contract from three years ago.

Roy – who signed it?

Commissioner Stonecash – It is now up for negotiation.

Unknown voice – This year?

Commissioner Stonecash – This year.

Commissioner Day – We will enter negotiations with the FOP this spring.

Commissioner Stonecash – To answer your question directly, I did not sign that contract; Chris did not sign that contract. David did.  

Commissioner Wesler – I did and back then things were not getting tight yet and ahh and that was with John Krock of Clemens and Nelson ahh and things were and we thought that was fair at the time. We did not know that this economic crisis was going to hit the way it did. Obviously that will affect the next contract. I assume but to perfectly clear the question you asked was the Juvenile Judge giving a raise. His TASK Department, he just came in and said that they are giving raises in TASK. So that would make the Engineer's Office,

Commissioner Stonecash -That is outside the General Fund.

Unknown voice – Aren't we out of the General Fund?

Commissioner Stonecash – You out of General Fund. I said they were outside of General Fund.

Unknown voice – Ok

Commissioner Wesler – Engineer does through drainage.

Unknown voice – …we have to have a Board meeting. We understand the problem or I understand the problem. I think Roy will tell you that he understands the problem and it is a problem it is a problem for everybody.

Commissioner Stonecash – It is a problem in our office. Our girls haven't got raises.

Unknown voice – Ours haven't had one in 10 years. By the 20th there is a possibility we could have one sooner….

Agreement on issue and discussion.

3 hr.  10.25 minute mark     Commissioner Wesler – …it was a split vote last week on the budget it was a 2 -1 vote and I voted no because of what I thought the morale issue could be….  

Unknown voice – We do hope you look at it in six months.

more discussions…

3 hr.  13 minute mark       Commissioner Stonecash – Connie do you have anything else?

Connie – I do I have one more thing. I have a letter o the Payroll Clerk (JFS)

Noted, approved by signing.

ADJOURN

3 hr. 14.75 minute mark on cd  

14.47minutes – 3.38 MB