[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6260311,"mediaKeyId","3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175","parentId",3133975,"title","Votes at a glance: Monroe County Council actions from the April 22 meeting","audioSeconds",2919,"startMs",606000,"endMs",3525000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175&start=606&end=3525","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175/thumbnail_606000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260311/Monroe-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Monroe-County-Council-actions-from-the-April-22-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260311-b8eec81f6c3e956579a2b355032088d3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770835636&Signature=aEtJCOU0aMcYDpMTu90-i-0j-DZEbSHHU67X8i5XwG7NPPo7Mp2ppuwnfbPkCB8sKl0LuvYU2YxUR36IndKIpAtvARlEGC83YFaVSYEVb3G9l~0VP4n4pvt9wp85EDuFC9ChZ8pz9hEIbEl14Hc2Y1FlcSiSenDliQ7QzkLYbi6-wY6d-Yxt8C3CADS5bjFYfzA376FYDOeaPMByU4yzoutqNNkh9B6CrYcpTfUN4ekzcrb0eet6ozG6r188PecXRpk7FebHYd-yl9cH-zwEwM~2GB3kZ1QPV16kGEycCAT~8pDF5N8ILfb2GFYcRxr5BelFD~C5hhqDXF9PLTz8oQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Monroe County IN","date","2025-04-27T00:10:57.517Z","article","The Monroe County Council handled a mix of budget appropriations, personnel actions and program items on Tuesday. Listed below are the formal motions recorded on the meeting record, with outcomes and follow-up notes.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (March summary minutes; Employee Services account-line creation): Approved by voice vote.

- Tabling of Health Department items 7A and 7B to the May 13 meeting: Approved by voice vote at the start of the meeting.

- Salary-ordinance amendment for Health Services Director (item 7C): Motion to reclassify from PAT D 35-hour to EXE A 40-hour failed by roll-call vote, 5–2 (see detailed article).

- Sheriff's Office: Approve two Records administrative-coordinator positions for three-year step increases under KSA policy (item 8): Passed first reading by roll call, 6–1. Requires second reading (scheduled for May 13).

- Planning Department additional appropriation (fund 1000-0079): $15,000 to contractually remove debris/structures from two Stinesville properties in the floodway: Approved by roll-call vote, unanimous.

- Highway Department appropriations and transfers (stormwater, Fairfax Road safety project, and MVH personnel transfer to create board-members line): Multiple requests approved unanimously (motions required second readings where applicable); a separate transfer established a $50-per-person per meeting payment line for board members (requires amendment to salary ordinance process as applicable).

- Commissioners’ appropriations and fund adjustments: Multiple technical and pass-through appropriations were approved by roll call, including PSAP fund adjustments and rural transit grants; one item (county jail building corporation request) was tabled to the May 13 meeting for additional information.

What’s next

Several items will return to the council for second readings (salary-ordinance changes and KSA items). The council also directed staff and committees to review the county’s KSA policy and to provide more detailed staffing and fiscal models for the Election Board’s vote-center options before final decisions.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monroe County Council, April 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A compact roundup of actions, appropriations and procedural votes taken by the County Council on April 22, 2025, including roll-call tallies and required follow-ups.","taxTitle","Monroe County, Indiana","taxId",3534,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260316,"Council approves sheriff’s KSA pay-step request on first reading; second reading required",1078,3568000,4646000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175&start=3568&end=4646","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175/thumbnail_3568000.jpg","/articles/6260316/Monroe-County/Indiana/Council-approves-sheriffs-KSA-pay-step-request-on-first-reading-second-reading-required","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260316-6de2f6e37956074a5491845d91c2e28d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770835636&Signature=ZSggcnygQCQUY5kSyze0toQEjZ8r3bLE7S63pLZ4rQ-dFl2VnN6-RQWXL08elpDcSXlVZpPuPUgzBggGmce7U641f8HBpSYQwFtBjhS5LK-inNF2~ijuJEgVxf5lJZS6IUzblGxqMIGCiY9WQKpVjNmo-qcgoXzJ0fXRzTzOaYKeynyD~PosfXpl~2qAUdsaM~s5ovnGn7tl52tmwJD8y9wHMXVgd9EQs39VPITWxhC2T4GqYwv7JMtqAeAYEBDiqudtTMipi3eKJnLCy6utpMYN7JfmxdX04GuiIL4-k7qAV8PB8yduCu6w8Vc6jRk~AiiPK16~UZqwRfR6Eoxx1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County Councilors gave initial approval Tuesday to the sheriff’s office proposal to grant two records-division administrative coordinator positions a three-year step increase through the county’s KSA (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) policy.

Jamie Yankee, office administrator for the sheriff’s office, said the records-2 typist positions require extensive on-the-job training and that the office recently lost two experienced employees, leaving the unit with only four staffers. Yankee said recruiting people with prior law-enforcement records experience is important because “it takes anywhere from 9 to 12 months to train the employees.” She said the proposed KSA steps are meant to make hiring competitive and reduce the lengthy training burden.

Councilor Hawk, who has been critical of KSAs elsewhere in the meeting, questioned the continued use of the KSA policy countywide and said the council should consider whether a pause or change in the policy is appropriate; several councilors agreed to discuss the policy further in a future Long-Term Finance Committee meeting. Councilor Deckard and others argued the positions are operationally important and that the county already uses the KSA policy in similar situations.

The roll-call vote on the proposed step increases was 6 to 1 in favor. Council rules require a second reading for the salary-ordinance change. Councilors said they want to revisit the countywide KSA policy in committee to consider equity and fiscal impacts but approved this request to minimize operational disruption in the sheriff’s office.

The motion was recorded as passing by majority and will return for final council action at the next meeting for the second reading.","The County Council approved, by a 6-1 roll call, a request from the sheriff’s office to grant two records positions a three-year step increase under the county’s KSA policy; the change requires a second reading on May 13.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260321,"Council approves $15,000 appropriation to remove debris from two properties in Stinesville floodway",440,8689000,9129000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175&start=8689&end=9129","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175/thumbnail_8689000.jpg","/articles/6260321/Monroe-County/Indiana/Council-approves-15000-appropriation-to-remove-debris-from-two-properties-in-Stinesville-floodway","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260321-def3f1b15ca6f5695e05bb91188abfa8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770835636&Signature=m0o2lANPO~PUdxtPXfvmDLjyTH4bJllbB-iQoiNbXIjmnIC3ghVRwuGUR4Hbdbhq4VPRAGqbfZzFEiqpS69bYIcvU6tyROikKVxiEVvGGsQz8lPK6DAE5e5UZbvOXMefK33SUdZAjBAWTDrxm5v6Q~ouQJu2J7WEG6GCybLjqyg2cI4Vj98SbmD2T1iQTITeVktJ4Ai0OW-guPKBtZWy5yKZO5Wf5YgkM3pSKNd6BdhPOgP70SdpvrJDbdBylywjI5q7cUnL3y4pbPeyfmluPfpSnr68~Y94DeftXeFAlyAlD2xTjcqWbw~8asn2IzWd4bvT1CFecOeda6PoeK5yBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Monroe County Council unanimously approved a $15,000 supplemental appropriation Tuesday to allow the Planning Department to hire contractors to remove debris and vehicles from two properties in the town of Stinesville that sit in the county floodway.

Planning Department Director Jackie Jelen said judges had issued orders permitting county contractors to remove junk and structures from the parcels after litigation. Jelen told the council the department had been asked to act because the town participates in a county interlocal agreement that extends county floodplain protections and because the properties’ contents could be swept into nearby waterways during high water and lodge under bridges.

Jelen said one judge’s order would not require demolition of a house on one parcel but would permit removal of outbuildings, campers and other material; the neighboring parcel could be cleaned entirely “as funds allowed.” She noted that the county participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, and DNR staff had indicated the county could risk probationary action under NFIP if it did not address known hazards in the floodway.

The department provided the council with cost estimates and said $15,000 may not cover every possible removal if heavy structures or repeat reappearances of debris occur, but the appropriation would let the county hire a contractor to begin remediation and to recover costs via liens where possible.

The appropriation was approved unanimously by roll-call vote. Jelen and planning commissioners asked the council to consider coordinated follow-up involving local social-service partners, the sheriff’s office and health staff to address long-term habitation and assistance for people living without water or sanitation on those parcels.

Councilors said they support remediation to protect waterways and to maintain the county’s floodplain program eligibility. The Planning Department said it would attempt to recoup remediation costs through court-ordered liens if property owners or others regain title.","The Planning Department won unanimous County Council approval for a $15,000 additional appropriation to hire contractors to remove junk, campers and other materials from two adjacent properties in the town of Stinesville located in the floodway.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260326,"Monroe County vote-center committee recommends converting existing polling sites; officials outline equipment and staffing costs",562,4684000,5246000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175&start=4684&end=5246","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175/thumbnail_4684000.jpg","/articles/6260326/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-vote-center-committee-recommends-converting-existing-polling-sites-officials-outline-equipment-and-staffing-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260326-df38489ad09821db1516ddc042697b25/orig.mp4?Expires=1770835636&Signature=Urn3QKMcX~dh~Qs6UWMeyN8mMDvC9pyOkEIsSnPWmRX5LD1E5-gG13nIL7216g3iBhYKojhmz-8~rehmuPfAh8RN8ulqFDwMEPXfZntY9OD9ouBMjeDPAUsPvL6QCB6dSjG3uNm152OgnDjD5X2m~eTRn8fuKGl8zkLIC70fYBPZVf9R8G67F7OBE3i5A-vpXET-hfZNGLmzJjMj9w-CUQBdsuO4cY~0xB-bigUYlbyD~iEpcc10jKlzrLPF8boKUyiDfaq8kmb1BHBw7GXQr7lSofemrVC~zUfF~ZpEUcvF6jNgb2FFvL53BoarkRssntFAraKTUqMpXRy11SQiPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A volunteer committee convened by the Monroe County Election Board recommended converting polling operations to a vote-center model and presented fiscal estimates Tuesday as the County Council questioned budget implications.

Alana Stonebraker, chair of the Vote Center Committee, told the council the committee voted 7-0 to recommend converting “all 29 super precincts into vote centers.” She summarized how the model would let any registered voter cast a ballot at any county vote center, with ballots printed on demand and scanned at the center.

Stonebraker and election supervisor Kylie Farris gave councilors a line-by-line estimate of capital and operational costs. Stonebraker said the capital equipment price tag for printers, automatic ballot kits, label printers and scanners was about $600,000 and that the committee had modeled a $2.8 million cost over a four-year cycle. She told the council, “the total election cost increase over the cycle would be about 5%” under the most-expansive (29-center) scenario; she said a 20-center option was close to cost-neutral and a 22-center model would add roughly 1.6%.

Kylie Farris, Monroe County election supervisor, told councilors the Election Board weighed options and has been assessing a range of site counts; she said the board was leaning toward fewer locations than 29 but had not settled on a final plan. Farris also confirmed the county held a HAVA grant of roughly $35,000 toward printers and that additional grant opportunities remain available to offset costs.

Committee members described how vote centers change some recurring expenses while reducing others. Stonebraker said vote centers remove the need for preprinting tens of thousands of paper ballots — a line item she estimated previously at about $80,000 per cycle. The committee also recommended three additional, temporary early-voting locations for the final 10 days before election day to expand access in parts of the county; Stonebraker said adding three ten-day early sites would raise annual election costs by an estimated 30%.

Councilors asked detailed staffing and cost questions. Several members said labor costs — per-diem pay for judges and workers across many days of early voting — are the largest recurring expense and urged the Elections office to provide fully itemized staffing scenarios for the models.

Councilor Iverson said he supports converting to vote centers and asked whether the committee had factored staffing into the estimates; Stonebraker and Farris confirmed the capital figures were separate from day-to-day staffing and that figure 8 and 9 in the committee report contain staffing and operating assumptions. Farris said the Election Board would take public comment again on May 19 and could approve a plan that day.

The committee’s report and fiscal tables are posted on the Election Board website, and the board is accepting public comment on the draft plan through May 19. The Election Board must adopt a final plan and submit it to the council per state rules; council members said they would review financial details and consider whether to submit a concurrent supporting resolution.","The county’s vote-center committee recommended converting current polling locations into vote centers and estimated capital costs (about $600,000) and a 4-year equipment cycle cost of roughly $2.8 million; committee members and the Election Board discussed options ranging from 11 to 29 centers and the fiscal trade-offs of early-voting sites.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":46,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6260330,"Monroe County Council rejects reclassification of health services director position after lengthy debate",2732,793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175&start=793&end=3525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3133975-98817a392968821afd63a21ce3d49175/thumbnail_793000.jpg","/articles/6260330/Monroe-County/Indiana/Monroe-County-Council-rejects-reclassification-of-health-services-director-position-after-lengthy-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260330-999be33276ec4279f16dcf35ea2c9f65/orig.mp4?Expires=1770835636&Signature=C8TdIjZTHBIFwMU3MqifxX8l14Xwb0cJmC~1rOx3k8XNs2fCfPw-aAux0qpB2LKoyGgdh-ZEWp2NNo0bUkDIm7Dl1TYvN8bu4Oqi2bgEIXrBj6ggS61YeWgSpktJBSIYKun0J1-I1V9QyJ8rWsnAhe~DV2m62IIAJGFonFq1mvzCUy238xHkGChGz8UDiU-PNIJi9hBbDalQxAyubQwE-RaMuInAXxx0d08AvfW4ezRtPcA58edDvyV~DBxW01v8-4amkgCFPJf6U-p-xcXIpnIXdpV-SCfMRledGxChMo9CZBeGUJTrfRwNySTIVvf6u-cHKLgjuVkG-pfdfyHSQA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Monroe County Councilors on Tuesday voted 5-2 to reject a request from the Monroe County Health Department to reclassify and increase the hours for the health services director position, a move the department said was needed to meet new grant-driven duties.

The council’s vote follows extended discussion about grant timing, budget authority and the department’s staffing needs. Miss Kelly, a Health Department representative, told councilors, “We have the funds already set aside that the state has approved for these DIS services in this position.” She said the state had signaled support for a budget revision and that it could take three to six months to train Disease Intervention Specialists even after hiring.

Supporters of the change argued the role combines clinical and administrative responsibilities that are unusual for the department and said reclassification would allow the department to recruit candidates with nursing and supervisory experience. Councilor Decker, who voted in favor, said he backed the change “because I see a lot of really massive challenges in the future” and pressed that the department be prepared for possible state funding cuts.

Opponents focused on process and parity with other county managers. Multiple councilors noted that classification reviews by the county’s personnel consultant had repeatedly returned the 35-hour PAT-D classification. Councilor Haug/Hawk and Councilor Henry said approving an exception risked creating inequities across departments and setting precedents for other managers to seek reclassification. Henry said he remained a “no,” citing fiscal stewardship.

Two members of the public addressed the council on the issue. Aurora DiOrio of the Monroe County Board of Health said the board had been trying to address the department’s staffing structure and that the board thought alternatives—such as a deputy position—had been restricted. Christine, a former county health clinic nurse, told councilors that turnover and departmental culture would affect recruitment, saying, “If health department leadership wants to attract and retain strong candidates, I really think they need to reckon with their reputation and culture.”

After public comment and final remarks, the roll-call vote failed 5 to 2. The council recorded no alternative motion to re-open or amend the classification during this meeting.

The council and health department discussed several possible follow-ups during the meeting, including internal budget transfers the department said it could make and the department’s intention to post an advertised 35-hour position if the reclassification did not pass. Miss Kelly said she would “figure it out” and pursue training and hiring within existing program funds if possible.

The council’s decision was procedural: this was a second-reading change to the 2025 salary ordinance. Because the motion failed, the classification remains as it was on the county salary schedule.","The council voted 5-2 to reject a proposal to reclassify the county health services director position from a 35-hour manager classification to a higher 40-hour executive classification, after hours of discussion about funding, state grant uncertainty and departmental capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Monroe County Council actions from the April 22 meeting

Council approves sheriff’s KSA pay-step request on first reading; second reading required

Council approves $15,000 appropriation to remove debris from two properties in Stinesville floodway

Monroe County vote-center committee recommends converting existing polling sites; officials outline equipment and staffing costs

Monroe County Council rejects reclassification of health services director position after lengthy debate