July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Council OK's funding for FEMA (08/24/06)

Jay County Council

By By MARY ANN LEWIS-

With budget cuts totaling just over $41,000, the Jay County Council approved the first reading of the county's 2007 $2.5 million budget Wednesday night following a public hearing.

However, the vote did not come before a majority of the council members changed their minds and approved providing a $1,400 line item for a part-time Jay County Emergency Management position.

During the council's Aug. 8 meeting it was voted to deny funding for the position after director Ralph Frazee requested $3,500 to compensate longtime volunteer Jim Bruner hourly for his time.

However, after discussing the responsibilities Wednesday night of that position currently filled by Bruner, the council voted 5-1 to allow Bruner to be paid $9 per hour up to 160 hours annually.

Councilman Jack Houck voted against the request. "We don't need a paid position," he said. "Maybe I'm wrong."

"Yes you are," said Jay County Sheriff Todd Penrod, explaining that since 9-11 the responsibilities of the county's emergency management department had intensified.

"After 9-11 everything was dumped on emergency management," Penrod explained. "Now we depend on them. I'd like to see Jim compensated on an hourly basis. Jim's pretty valuable in the absence of Ralph."

Councilman Todd Wickey expressed concern that creating the position would jeopardize the job description of administrative assistant, Andrea Castillo.

"I don't want it to have repercussions on her," he said.

"Let's put in an increase in a part-time pay position and come up with a plan for next year's budget," Kirby suggested. "Put in a line item and plan to make it work. Let's see if something can be created next year."

The county's pay plan will be up for review in 2007, and the position will be looked at more closely at that time.

Following a motion for the line item from councilwoman, Judy LeMaster, and its approval, the council approved the first reading of the budget that totals $12,501,177.70, about 3 percent more than the 2006 budget of $12,176.540.36, said Jay County auditor, Freda Corwin.

The 2007 budget requests came in at $12,623,822.94

"We didn't cut as much as we could have," said council president, Marilyn Coleman.

The budget reflects a 3 percent increase in 2007 salaries for elected officials, full-time hourly and salaried employees or contract workers not covered by the pay plan, and part-time hourly employees in several categories.

A second reading and adoption of the budget is set for the council's regular meeting Sept. 13, at 7 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
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