At the March 9 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners appointed Public Record Custodians and Deputy Custodians for each department in the county. The Record Custodian understands the record systems of the office and makes decisions on retention and disposition of these records. The following individuals were appointed for Building & Grounds Mike Swank, Custodian, Mike Yinger, Deputy Custodian; for the Commission Megan Lokai, Custodian, Emily Heitzman, Deputy Custodian; for Community Development Tom Hale, Custodian, Allan Neimayer, Deputy Custodian; for Emergency Management Agency Lisa D’Allessandris, Custodian, Ken Johnson, Deputy Custodian; for Department of Job & Family Services (DJFS) Renee Southward, Custodian, Virginia Martycz, Deputy Custodian; for Information Systems Kim Deniston, Custodian, Anne Woodruff, Deputy Custodian; for Personnel Michelle Noble, Custodian, Nichi Baker, Deputy Custodian; for Utilities Elissa Hensley, Custodian, Chuck Bauer, Deputy Custodian, and for Waste Management District Bonnie Martens, Custodian, Chuck Bauer, Deputy Custodian.
In addition, the commissioners appointed Jim Gay to the National Trail Parks and Recreation District Board for a term to expire September 30, 2018.
For DJFS, the commissioners approved a contract with The Buckeye Ranch, Inc. for $30,000 to provide foster care and residential placement for children effective March 9, 2016 through December 31, 2017. They also approved a contract with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office for $99,324 to prove security services for the DJFS campus from April 1, 2016 through March 31, 2017.
In addition, the commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1939 for a 2016 Bargaining Unity Pay Increase. This action will allow for a 2% increase for DJFS employees.
In regular business, the commissioners approved the transfer of $5,000 from the Agriculture Grant to Housing Rehab. Housing Rehab is responsible for the demolition of problem properties throughout the county. In addition, the county has applied for other grants from the Land Bank for housing demolition. Under the current rules to qualify for the grant the county needs five houses within one geographic location. A single house in a location does not qualify. However, the administrators are looking at changing the criteria to include single houses and apartment complexes. Under the current rules, the county must also own the property in order to tear it down. If additional grants are secured and the rules are loosened, the county will be able to address more problem properties in the community.
New Carlisle Council Member Lowell McGlothin asked if Land Bank money could be used to tear down Madison School in New Carlisle. Commissioner David Herier will investigate.
In addition, the commissioners approved the transfer of $500,000 from the Board of Developmental Disabilities (DD) General Services to the Board of Developmental Disabilities Medicaid Reserve. DD has Medicaid clients. However, all the funds collected go into the general services fund and must then be transferred to the Medicaid Fund to use them for clients who qualify.
In order to start the construction project for the Juvenile Courtyard Improvement Project, the commissioners approved the establishment of a retainage account at Key Bank for the contract with Arcon Builders, Ltd. The establishment of the account is necessary before the Clark County Juvenile Courts Facility Courtyard Improvement Project can begin.
For the Community Development Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with Francis X. Leighty not to exceed $15,000 for consulting services for community development grants effective March 9, 2016 through December 31, 2018. Francis X Leighty will assist the county to apply for Community Housing Impact and Preservation (CHIP) grants. These grants provide funding to local governments to improve and provide affordable housing for low- and moderate-income citizens.
The next meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is scheduled for March 16 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room at 50 E. Columbia Street.