Print

Clark County Commissioners have begun the review process for the 2016 budget appropriations. The estimated revenues for 2016 for the general fund are $42,682,279. Of these funds, the proposed budget allocates $40,225,116 to county services mandated by the state including the sheriff’s office, the county and municipal court systems, and all other county government services. According to Nathan Kennedy, County Administrator, most departments’ proposed budgets were flat or slightly lower than the 2015 budgets. However, the proposed Sheriff’s Department budget increased 4% because of wage increases of 2% for all employees under the Fraternal Oder of Police (FOP) union contract. The Sheriff’s budget accounts for over 30% of the spending by the county from General Funds, with $14,564,336 proposed for 2016. The largest percentage increase was for the Board of Elections at 19% because 2016 is a presidential election year. The proposed budget for the Board of Elections for 2016 is $1,042,002. The proposed budget for mandated services is approximately $1 million less than 2015; however, budget agreements have not been finalized with the Community Improvement Corporation, Small Business Development Center, and Soil and Water.

Kennedy received requests totaling over $6.6 million from various departments and agencies throughout Clark County for non-mandated costs. Kennedy said, “Many of the requests are for worthy projects; however, we cannot and should not fund every request made.” Kennedy established a rating system for consideration of the requests from one to five, with one being a critical or mandated request and five, a request he strongly recommends against. He also cautioned the commissioners against allocating all of the funds available to allow for unanticipated emergencies. The commissioners did agree to fund the Soil and Water District, Coop - Ext, EMA Upgrades, and some I/S infrastructure improvements. The commissioners will review the requests and make final budget recommendations at the December 16, 2015 commissioners meeting.

In regular business, the commissioners authorized an Inter-governmental Agreement between the Clark County Solid Waste District and the Sheriff of Clark County to provide two full-time Environmental Deputies to the Solid Waste District for $120,000 effective January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016.

They also approved an Expedited Type 1 Annexation Petition for 28.24 acres owned by Walton Cox at 9654 West National Rd. from Springfield Township to the City of Springfield.

Commissioners also authorized a change order to increase the contract with R.B. Jergens by $17,786.55 for the Dayton Springfield Road Project. This is the ninth time the contract has been changed. The new contract total is $5,886,506.23. John Detrick, County Commissioner, questioned Kennedy, “Are we getting close to the 10% overrun?” Kennedy assured him that the county was not. Currently the overrun is approximately 3%.

The commissioners instructed the clerk to advertise for two bids. The first is for the Engineer Department for unit price bids for gravel, reinforced concrete pipe and ready mix concrete for the 2016 calendar year. They also instructed the clerk to advertise for bids for the Clark County Juvenile Court Courtyard Improvements Project. A pre-bid meeting will be held on December 18, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the County Offices/Municipal Courts Building at 50 E. Columbia Street. The bids for both projects are due in the Clark County Commissioners’ Offices no later than 10:00 a.m. January 7, 2016.

The commissioners also appointed several individuals to various boards in the county. For the Community Development Director, they approved the appointment of Richard Hankison to the Clark County Flood Plain Appeals Board for a term starting on December 9, 2015 through March 31, 2018. Hankinson provides boundary surveys, lot splits and mortgage location surveys. He was appointed to the board with the understanding that he will abstain from any board action in which he has a conflicting interest.

In addition, they appointed Elmer Beard to the Local Emergency Planning Committee 2015 – 2017 with the expiration date of August 14, 2017 for his term, appointed Dan Wallace to complete Janie Riggs unexpired term to the Clark County Planning Commission effective January 3, 2016 through September 1, 2017, re-appointed Ken Brust and Wayne Leis to the Clark County Planning Commission for three year terms from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2018, and appointed Janie Riggs to complete Don Wallace unexpired term effective January 4, 2016 through December 31, 2017 and reappointed David Minard to serve on the Board of Zoning Appeals from January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019.

Detrick requested that the county commission office send thank- you cards to all members who agreed to serve on each committee.

Last, the commissioners approved the fourth quarter regular payment of $57,665.65 to the Clark County Humane Society. They also approved a payment of $1875 for hydrophobia claims and $50 for an online donation.

The next regular meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for December 16, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in the Clark County Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia St. A Public Hearing will follow the meeting on the 1/2% county sales tax at 10:00 a.m. in the Public Chambers.