- Residents were encouraged to gather petitions against a 90-day closure of State Road 1 at US 52.
- County employees are not being taxed for a fringe benefit.
- The commissioners will need a consultant's help to evaluate health insurance brokers.
GATHER PETITIONS AGAINST STATE ROAD 1 CLOSURE
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) official Greg Prince was unable to attend the commissioners' meeting to discuss the closure of State Road 1 at US Highway 52 for bridge repairs. It was announced that INDOT is getting an estimate of the increased cost of using a stoplight for traffic control rather than closing the bridge. Allowing one-lane traffic with a stoplight will increase the work time from 90 days to 150 days.
County Engineer Ted Cooley said that INDOT suggested residents gather petitions against a complete closure. INDOT will attend a future meeting with the commissioners.
Several residents of Highland Township spoke against a road closure. Mike Kohlsdorf said that a closure in the fall would make it difficult to haul corn. Greenhouse owner Pete Hebauf told the commissioners, "Don't underestimate the traffic." He talked about seeing a tremendous number of trucks going both directions past his greenhouses on St. Peters Road, while US Highway 52 was closed for repairs. Semi-truck drivers ignored the road-closed signs. Mr. Hebauf said that smaller county roads are unable to handle larger volumes of traffic. Problems will occur when truck traffic passes school buses or farm equipment on narrow roads.
Bill Schirmer talked about the Cedar Grove Volunteer Fire Department having difficulty with providing fire protection to Highland Township, if SR 1 is closed. He said that residents would need help from St. Leon or New Trenton Volunteer Fire Departments. EMS ambulances might have to be rerouted from Brookville or Sunman to assist New Trenton in covering parts of Highland Township, according to Mr. Schirmer. Township Trustee Art DeFosset will check into options for fire protection.
The commissioners will send a letter asking INDOT to use stoplights to control traffic and leave the bridge open.
NEED OR WANT - REBID OF EQUIPMENT
In March, the commissioners opened sealed bids for a wheel loader. MH Equipment of Indianapolis had the low bid of $141,250 for a JCB loader with a trade in. After reviewing the bids, Commissioner Linkel said that no manufacturer could meet all of the bid specifications. Commissioner Linkel indicated that he was interested in a John Deere loader offered by Murphy Tractor Equipment. But, that company did not submit a sealed bid. It sent a bid via email to Commissioner Linkel, which was not allowable according to the commissioners' attorney. Commissioner Linkel wanted to reject all bids and solicit new bids. He acknowledged that this action was not fair to the two original bidders, because their prices were publicly announced, but Murphy Equipment's was not. At that March meeting, the commissioners agreed to inspect the JCB loader from the low bidder.
After a "test drive" of the JCB loader, Commissioner Linkel reported that it did not meet all specifications for horsepower, keyless entry and braking system. He also talked about a John Deere loader having better security and resale value.
Commissioner Roberts responded by saying, "The horsepower issue is a moot point...last week you clearly stated at the meeting that you wanted a John Deere." Commissioner Roberts noted that no other company could compete, if the specifications only apply to a John Deere loader. Commissioner Linkel agreed to adjust some of the bid specifications.
From the audience County Councilmember Keith Hall also questioned why Commissioner Linkel had to have a John Deere loader and if the proper bidding procedures were being followed. He asked if the Highway Department needed a John Deere or was that Commissioner Linkel's "desire."
Commissioner Linkel said that his "goal" is to match the "dependable" John Deere loader that the Highway Department had for many years.
Commissioner Linkel and Wilson voted to request new bids for a loader. Commissioner Roberts was opposed.
"COUNTY CARS" AS EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
From the audience, Mildred I. Simmermeyer inquired about county employees having county vehicles to drive to and from work as a fringe benefit. She wanted to know if employees were correctly paying income tax on their county cars. The six employees with county cars are Small Animal Control Office Steve Monroe, County Engineer Ted Cooley, Highway Department Foremen Justin Ball, Brian DeFossett and Kent Ruf, as well as the Highway Department mechanic.
Commissioner Linkel asked County Auditor Steve Brack to research the question. Auditor Brack already knew the answer. He confirmed that employer-provided vehicles are a fringe benefit. However, no income taxes have been collected from Franklin County employees for county cars, since 2013, before Auditor Brack took office.
From the audience Larry Merkel, a tax preparer, said that the Internal Revenue Service could audit the prior three years and collect unpaid taxes, penalties and interest. He does not regularly deal with this issue in his practice and he encouraged the commissioners to research the details. He also commented that the county is responsible for accurately reporting wages paid and fringe benefits provided to employees.
Commissioner Eric Roberts explained that during his earlier term of office (2006-2010) this issue came up. Former Auditor Susan Jones started collecting income taxes from the three Highway Department foremen who were provided a vehicle. The fringe benefit was valued at $3 per day and taxes of about 75 cents per day were collected. Commissioner Roberts added that law enforcement personnel are exempt.
Commissioner Linkel stated that foremen are not allowed to use the county vehicle for personal business. The vehicles are assigned so the foremen can respond to emergencies. He asked how they could be taxed? Mr. Merkel explained that the foremen are receiving a fringe benefit when they are provided a vehicle with fuel to drive to and from work.
Commissioner Linkel did not agree with taxing the six employees. He said it could be a financial hardship for them. Councilmember Keith Hall suggested that the commissioners ask council for a salary increase to offset the taxes.
Attorney John Worth suggested that Auditor Brack consult with the County Auditors Association about fringe benefits. Commissioner Roberts directed Auditor Brack to investigate why the county changed its procedure for taxing county-provided cars.
EVALUATING HEALTH INSURANCE BROKERS
Councilmember Hall and Mrs. Simmermeyer quizzed the commissioners about their promise to consider a new broker to handle the county employees' health insurance. Last August during the budget hearings, the commissioners said there was not enough time to find a new broker and they would look at options in 2016. So far, the commissioners have not advertised for bids from health insurance brokers. Councilmember Hall complained that the commissioners have not looked for a new broker in 10 years.
Commissioner Linkel said that he found only two brokers interested in handling Franklin County's health insurance.
Commissioner Wilson reported that the commissioners had a mid-year review of the health insurance. Portions of the health insurance plan have gone out for bids from insurance providers, but not for bids from brokers.
Commissioner Roberts is unsure if the county is getting the best deal from Pinnacle Insurance, its current broker. Commissioner Roberts stated that contracting for health insurance is more complicated then building a bridge.
Councilmember Hall "challenged" the commissioners to hire a consultant to assist them with evaluating insurance brokers. He wanted competitive bids for hiring the county's next insurance broker. He talked about health insurance being one of the top three expenses of the county along with the Highway Department and the Sheriff Department/Jail.
Councilmember Hall said that there is a perception that the current health insurance is not the best deal for the county. He said that perception might be a misunderstanding, but the commissioners have to address it.
Commissioner Roberts pointed out that the county is saving money by being self-insured. The county paid about $8,000 per employee in 2015. The county's cost increased about 1% per year over the last four years. He said that the average cost increase for commercial policies has been 10-15% each year.
Mrs. Simmermeyer gave her opinion that taxpayers cannot afford taxes to provide health insurance to government employees. Mrs. Lecher asked why the county is paying the lion's share of the health insurance cost instead of the employees.
The county's insurance broker Mike Kramer and health insurance provider MedBen will give presentations to county council in June and show the prices offered from various health care providers.
Commissioner Linkel continued, "I think we are right and I think we have the best deal for the taxpayers and the county. If we need to hire a consultant, let's hire one." He asked for the names of consultants, but warned that all insurance experts are "biased" toward particular companies.
Commissioner Wilson quoted former insurance agent Marvin Ferkinhoff that the county has "a good bang for our buck" in health insurance.
From the audience, Linda Hall said that she has MedBen insurance at work and employees' costs have increased greatly over the last few years. She suggested the commissioners ask other counties for advice.
Councilmember Hall asked for data and bids from several brokers to be ready before the August budget hearings. He wants the commissioners to give him specific reasons why they continue with Mike Kramer as broker, not just anecdotes. Councilmember Hall hoped that taking action would overcome the public perception that there is a lack of transparency regarding the county's health insurance.
WISH LIST FOR FEDERAL FUNDING
QUESTIONED BY AUDIENCE
The commissioners prioritized four projects for which to request Federal Highway money in 2020. They should receive an answer by October regarding what will be funded.
First on the wish list is a $1.3 million rehabilitation of St. Mary's Road from Brookville to Levee Road. The county's 20% share of the cost would be $260,000. The commissioners doubted that the slide area on St. Mary's Road could wait until 2020. They learned that any local money spent now for repairs would not count toward the county's 20% share, because a Federal Highway Project has not yet been approved.
Second in priority is a new North Hamburg Bridge #31 over Bullfork Creek. The current structure is on the bridge inspector's list of the 19 worst bridges in the county. It is 100 feet long and has very narrow approaches. North Hamburg Road carries 300 cars per day and is one of the five most dangerous roads in the county. Mr. Cooley estimated that the Highway Department could probably install a new bridge for under $400,000.
From the audience, Betty Lecher asked about the necessity of spending county money or federal money for a new bridge. She commented, "That is what all the politicians work for - to bring home taxes to their districts."
Commissioner Roberts explained that if Franklin County did not apply for federal funding, another county would spend those tax dollars. Commissioner Linkel passed around photographs showing deterioration underneath the bridge deck.
Councilmember Hall asked why the Hamburg Bridge was selected for replacement rather than Rockdale Bridge, which is one of the three worst bridges in the county. Mr. Cooley said that some work had already been done to fix Rockdale Bridge. Commissioner Roberts explained that the Rockdale Bridge was shorter in length and could be fixed by the Highway Department at less expense. The Hamburg Bridge would be more costly and therefore more suitable for a federally funded project.
The third priority is a $1 million major pavement rehabilitation of an eligible county road. That would require a $200,000 match by the county. Commissioner Roberts suggested waiting until they see the state-required Pavement Evaluation Study before selecting which road to upgrade.
Commissioner Wilson wanted to divide up pavement money between the three parts of the county that the commissioners oversee. Commissioner Roberts spoke against that idea. He said traffic would speed up on the new portion, only to slow down when returning to the unimproved part.
The fourth request will be for federal funding for guardrails.
PLANNING AHEAD
Commissioner Roberts directed Mr. Cooley to prepare estimates for repairing each of the 19 worst bridges in the inspectors report as well as a traffic count for each bridge. This information will help with planning for the county budget in the coming year.
To qualify for federal funding, Mr. Cooley said that the county must commit to make improvements as part of an American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Transition Plan. The county also must agree to not discriminate on projects that use federal funds as part of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Commissioner Linkel commented that the county couldn't commit to something that it couldn't afford. Commissioner Roberts offered a different perspective. He said that the county could possibly complete the work locally now for $1,000 instead of spending $20,000 later as part of a federal project. He asked for the location and estimated cost of installing curb ramps at the four pedestrian bridges and at any other required locations in the county.
STOCKPILE BRIDGE CONTRACTOR
DEFENDS COMMISSIONERS
Fred Layton of Copperhead Excavating blamed the media for reporting "so much negativity" regarding the county commissioners. He thanked the commissioners for hiring his company for county projects starting in 2010. He "feels bad" for the commissioners and said that they should receive health insurance. The commissioners come to his job sites and Mr. Layton said that they could get hurt while there. He also said the commissioners should be provided with county-owned vehicles.
Commissioner Linkel said he appreciated Mr. Layton's comments, because the public does not understand the work the commissioners do to oversee county projects.
Then Mr. Layton said that it was a good idea to replace the low water crossing with a bridge on Stockpile Road. He said that he used to drive through water on that slab and was lucky to avoid injury. (The commissioners awarded a contract for $58,620 to Mr. Layton for construction of the Stockpile Road Bridge in 2015.)
DOG EMERGENCIES
County Councilmember Daryl Kramer asked the commissioners who would cover the duties of the small animal control officer, if he is on sick leave for several weeks. Commissioner Wilson said that another employee Steve Thomas is feeding the dogs but is not answering complaint calls.
Councilmember Kramer suggested that the commissioners ask council for additional money or another employee to handle animal control in emergencies. He told the commissioners to decide before the April 26 council meeting.
Commissioner Linkel stated that someone from the county would respond to emergencies, such as a dog biting a person or killing livestock.
OTHER BUSINESS
The commissioners approved minutes, payroll and claims for payment. They waived the building permit fee for the Metamora Volunteer Fire Department.
The next meeting is Monday, April 25, at 10am.
