Contract for software void (11/10/05)

Jay County’s contract with Plexis Inc. to supply GSI software to the county is void, members of the Jay County Council learned Wednesday night.

Jay County auditor Freda Corwin told Jay County Commissioners Monday that Plexis had been acquired by Manatron, and it was uncertain if the contract with Plexis would be honored.

Corwin told the council Wednesday that Manatron officials indicated the company would not be providing the Odyssey tax billing software the county had contracted with Plexis, and that Manatron had suggested substituting its own MVP program at a cost of $96,000, considerably more than the Odyssey program’s cost of $65,000.

“The contract is null and void,” Corwin said. “It’s on hold and I suggest we look at another vendor. We’ll continue using what we have and hope nothing happens.”

In financial matters, the council approved by a 5 to 1 vote, with council president, Jack Houck, voting against the request, to pay a payroll clerk more than the minimum starting amount in the county’s pay plan. The new employee in the auditor’s office will be started at step 3 of pay grade 8, or about $23,000 annually.

Corwin said two employees recently quit in the auditor’s office, and she had hired Robin Alberson to fill the payroll clerk position.

Citing Alberson’s past experience as Jay County treasurer, Corwin asked the council to hire her at a step 3 level on a pay grade 8. Step one of a pay grade 8 position currently pays $17,996.

“I believe in saving money,” Houck said of Corwin’s request for the higher pay. “Can we start reducing and saving money in these departments? We need to try to be as prudent as we can.”

“I have a slight problem with it,” council member Gerald Kirby said, “because it is in violation of our pay plan scale. I’m not dead set against it but I’m uncomfortable with making exceptions. If I vote for this, I’m voting for the woman.”

“The pay plan is a guideline,” council member Judy LeMaster added. “Our people are an asset and if you get a good employee, you need to hang on to them.”

“It’s a net savings overall,” Kirby added, noting two employees had left, and only one was hired.

In other financial matters, the council agreed to send on to the Jay County Tax Abatement Advisory Committee, a request for a tax abatement on $47,530 in new equipment and machinery for H&B Conditioning, LLC. The request was made by owner, Ramon Loucks, for research and development equipment and information technology equipment.

The request was presented by Bob Quadrozzi, executive director of Jay County Development Corporation.

Loucks’ research laboratory is located on county road 100 south near the former Bailey Seed Farm. Nearing three years in operation, Loucks said there are two full-time and four part-time employees. With the addition of the new equipment, one new employee will be added by the end of the year.

The business conducts research for how best to offer soybean products. Loucks said his business has a five state market area.

“It’s one of the nicest growing businesses,” Quadrozzi said.

Quadrozzi also told the council that Jodi Scott, JCDC administrative assistant, and Ami Davidson, Jay County Community Developer, had recently completed grant administration certification training, “and passed with flying colors. We now have two certified grant administrators.”

The council also approved additional appropriations in the courthouse custodian’s budget, including $161.91 for employee services; $1,500 for contractual services; and $5,000 for courthouse repair.

Council approved a request by Jay County Sheriff Todd Penrod for an additional $5,000 for meals for prisoners, but a request for an additional $4,500 for jailers wages was not needed, Penrod said, since a jailer had quit.

A request by attorney Brad Burkett for $1,600 for transcripts and records, and one for $1,000 for travel expenses, were also approved.

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