COUNTY COUNCIL

SPECIAL SESSION

JUNE 8, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

ATTENDANCE:

COUNCIL:                      Mitchell Proctor, President

                                      Darrel Thomas, Vice President

                                      Lana Schimpf

                                      Richard Lyon

                                      Larry Parker

                                      Nancy Fogle

COMMISSIONERS:         Gene Beck, President

AUDITOR:                       Kristina Warren

AUDIENCE:                    One Individual

The Putnam County Council met in special session on June 8, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. at the Courthouse Annex.  Mitch Proctor said in deference to Nancy Fogle’s condition they would forego the pledge to the flag.  Ms. Fogle had broken her ankle.  Mr. Proctor announced Keith Berry would not be attending the meeting today because he was out of town.

2004 COUNTY GENERAL BUDGETS

Kristina Warren, Auditor explained the situation and explained the forms she passed out.  Ms. Warren explained the State had contacted her and sent her paperwork stating the county was over levy.  The estimates the State gave the County Council last year were too high.  Now, the Council was looking at needing to cut $236,770 from the county general budgets. 

Lana Schimpf brought up the rainy day fund.  The county had $452,280.37 in that fund.  It was a possibility.

Mitch Proctor stated he had a suggestion.  The Council had warned the departments during the 2004 budget hearings that they might have to make cuts in their budgets.  Mr. Proctor said the county was over levy and it was time to pay the piper.  He suggested 5% across the board cut out of each department budget.  If the Department holder does not want to cut from salaries then they can make a different choice and cut other accounts in their budget. 

Darrel Thomas thought that 5% might be too high when the departments were looking at only 6 months left of money.  Mr. Thomas was thinking more of a 2 or 3% reduction.  Mitch Proctor said a message needed to be sent to the departments that they needed to tighten their budgets. 

Gene Beck brought up how the Commissioners made the motion yesterday to recommend to the Council that they take the 911 health insurance and the money needed for Operation Life out of the Rainy Day fund.  The Council and Commissioners discussed it.

Darrel Thomas made the motion to enact a 2.5% reduction across the board in each department paid out of county general fund.  There would be no new additionals for the rest of the year except for emergency situations.  The Council would determine the need or state of emergency.  The Council would use the 2003 Riverboat money, which was $134,642.64 to offset the budget cut.  Larry Parker seconded.  Lana Schimpf questioned the $66,000 that 911 needs to float their budget for the rest of the year.  Ms. Schimpf said she was uncomfortable with telling people 6 months into the year they needed to cut 2.5%. 

Nancy Fogle called for a vote.  Darrel Thomas read his motion: enact 2.5% across the board reduction of county general budgets.  Include Riverboat money and no new additionals for the rest of the year.  Larry Parker seconded.  Lana Schimpf opposed.  In favor of motion: Richard Lyon, Darrel Thomas, Larry Parker, Nancy Fogle and Mitch Proctor.  The motion carried.

The Council requested the Auditor to notify each of the departments that they needed to cut 2.5% from their budget.  The cuts would need to be made today and given to the Auditor so she could do the necessary paperwork.  The revised paperwork had to be faxed to DLGF by tomorrow morning.  The Council told Auditor Warren that if a department did not make the necessary cut then she was authorized to cut their personal service category. 

AVIATION BUDGET

Auditor Warren stated the Aviation budget was over by $1,706.  Nancy Fogle made the motion to take the $1,706 out of the repairs & maintenance category; Larry Parker seconded.  The motion carried.

2005 BUDGET ADOPTION & HEARING DATES

The Council set tentative dates for the hearing: September 2 & 3.

ADJOURN

Lana Schimpf made the motion to adjourn; Nancy Fogle seconded.  The motion carried unanimously.

______________________________________________________________________________

Mitchell Proctor, President                               Darrel Thomas, Vice President

_____________________________                     _____________________________________

Lana Schimpf                                                   Richard Lyon

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Larry Parker                                                     Nancy Fogle

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Attest: Kristina Warren, Auditor