[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-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],{"_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",6085340,"mediaKeyId","2903858-42df2d553d1c8afaf7448d7fbbc3ff69","parentId",2903858,"title","Morgan County Council approves health department spending to map septic systems and make school liaison full time","audioSeconds",235,"startMs",863000,"endMs",1098000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903858-42df2d553d1c8afaf7448d7fbbc3ff69&start=863&end=1098","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903858-42df2d553d1c8afaf7448d7fbbc3ff69/thumbnail_863000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6085340/Morgan-County/Indiana/Morgan-County-Council-approves-health-department-spending-to-map-septic-systems-and-make-school-liaison-full-time","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085340-35e633e01bad612b19a724891c2b975f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452846&Signature=LDkXhfjacaFkB3BO~nztWqgaNkrZHpDvGoU-T4O8KBbgW~uGi9v9fZmEzbkgXNt47M1XSL6SmfxRqqoi19wx7NraVnMLdqqvw19h~lLByW2FOdpq6N6Se-O1me7G~68Neo0TxTYciUm0BvEeyLzXQac~lx3UtMHAy3Er2NCCwHpx1420JLqKx88JLMTzBtW0M31oJF~vLDOFAzI-eWJ967VEYslDjhfkYyE05jNL~B-lN6bbYFUSbvJyNa1VC3T6mseymGhClrW49yCRGqtaiEytzlv1l85gKOc1nSgpXNIQqs~vKGB99cqgH9kEEGRTh9aoeYFATNsgblwTVsarSQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Morgan County IN","date","2025-04-09T03:44:04.667Z","article","Morgan County Council approved two appropriations for the county health department at its April 7 meeting, voting to spend legacy trust funds to buy GIS equipment for septic‑system mapping and to convert a part‑time school liaison to a full‑time position with additional contractual support.

The council voted 7–0 to appropriate $15,000 from the health department trust and maintenance account to buy software and two GIS locating units for septic inspectors, and voted 6–1 to approve a $165,000 appropriation to convert a part‑time position to full time and to fund related contractual services for school‑based behavioral and wellness programs. The 6–1 vote included one recorded dissent; the transcript does not record the dissenting member’s name.

The health department representative said the $15,000 package combines equipment and software to allow inspectors to locate on‑site septic systems to within about two feet and to map systems onto an online map. “So that’s what that’s for,” the presenter said when describing the mapping project. The presenter added the equipment carries a modest subscription/maintenance cost (about $55 per month) that could be paid from HFI funds in future years if the county spends down the trust balance as planned.

On the larger appropriation, the health department said the funding will convert an existing part‑time position into a full‑time school liaison focused on tobacco and vaping prevention, physical activity, nutrition education and other school health programming; the department said the full‑time salary request of about $20,000 is for base pay and that PERF, FICA and group insurance are already budgeted elsewhere in the line item. The presenter described ongoing partnerships with Kendrick Foundation, Youth First, Centerstone and Adult & Child to place counselors and provide services in area schools and said the appropriation will help sustain those services while grant funding diminishes.

Council members pressed on pay and job classification. Council members and staff discussed the PAT pay bands used by county personnel. The health department noted the midpoint for the advertised PAT 3 band is $36.0218 per hour, with the low end at about $32.41 per hour; during debate the council approved a motion that the new hire start at the PAT 3 lower end of $32.41 per hour. The presenter warned that Health First Indiana (HFI) funds and other grant sources are not guaranteed indefinitely and that long‑term continuation of school services will require other funding sources.

Why it matters: the $15,000 will create a searchable map of septic systems for residents and staff, reducing the need for individual office requests to locate aging records. The $165,000 request funds an on‑the‑ground public health position and contractual mental‑health supports that county staff say help sustain school‑based services that were expanded during the COVID era and are facing funding uncertainty.

The council’s actions:
- $15,000 appropriation from trust account 1206 for GIS software and locating equipment for the health department — motion carried 7–0 (mover: Melissa Green; seconder: Joe [surname not specified in transcript]).
- $165,000 appropriation to convert a part‑time school liaison to full time and for contractual services — motion carried 6–1 (mover: Melissa Green; seconder: Chip Keller). The motion included direction that the hire begin at the PAT 3 lower pay band ($32.41/hour).

The health department presenter said the county currently has roughly $94,000 projected to remain in the trust account at year end and plans to spend down leftover trust funds on related projects this year, returning to the council for additional appropriations as needed.

Speakers quoted or recorded in this item are listed below.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4/7/2025 County Council","oneSentenceSummary","Morgan County Council approved two appropriations for the county health department: $15,000 for GIS septic‑mapping equipment and $165,000 to make a school‑liaison position full time and fund contractual school mental‑health services.","taxTitle","Morgan County, Indiana","taxId",63769,"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},6085335,"At a glance: Morgan County Council votes on appropriations, EMS funding and personnel items",223,2480000,2703000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2903858-42df2d553d1c8afaf7448d7fbbc3ff69&start=2480&end=2703","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2903858-42df2d553d1c8afaf7448d7fbbc3ff69/thumbnail_2480000.jpg","/articles/6085335/Morgan-County/Indiana/At-a-glance-Morgan-County-Council-votes-on-appropriations-EMS-funding-and-personnel-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6085335-abefccf96b540cbeb771e441c78757ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452846&Signature=bTuf-WJKmd4XeTmW1QlzTYE~yD4ZwgXl9jgIro8fwh-QyihiNWPNnWv6bHcPoqTjggaMF21pntDLV8FsmVXNHpxgojNcgD-3fW-3tabAUKb9frd5hBqWWpsuzYCkASdgawDeHNd7~Ajzh6eUhltjNURnUOAepq-Mwq4RYHvAMIJ9HAhZ70Ssd12TF646jNgVlBYI4XgAQ4PPl~pmYy2CeukVNE1iJLzNAMjnQY924wGZK2fRyci0xIbA2dEW6L06rFmRWNuBjt1kUWDoHWohUymttKbIbSoKlhhE5aw5En40BomjhnlUt0FbhYZRuRPgXxKQOUyvtRzEKaZf3k4N6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Morgan County Council on April 7 approved multiple appropriations, a developer contribution allocation for an EMS station, and several personnel and administrative items. Most motions passed unanimously; one appropriation for the health department passed 6–1 after debate over starting pay for the new full‑time hire.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting transcript):

1) Approval of March minutes — Motion to approve minutes carried 7–0 (mover: Chip Keller; seconder: Vicki Kivett).

2) Additional appropriation for clerk’s office (scanning support) — Approve additional appropriation of $9,000 from Clerk Records Perpetuation (salary and FICA) to keep a part‑time scanning hire through the move to the Justice Campus; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Vicki Kivett; seconder: Melissa Green).

3) Local health department trust appropriation — Approve $15,000 from trust account 1206 for GIS software and locating equipment (see separate article for full discussion); motion carried 7–0 (mover: Melissa Green; seconder: Joe [surname not specified]).

4) Health department personnel and contractual services — Approve $165,000 to convert a part‑time school liaison to full time and fund contractual services for school mental‑health and wellness programming; motion carried 6–1 (mover: Melissa Green; seconder: Chip Keller). Motion included direction to start the hire at the PAT 3 lower pay band ($32.41/hour).

5) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) fund additional appropriation — Approve additional appropriation from EMS fund (11‑51) in the amount of $407,213 (reported in transcript as $407,213) to cover salary and related adjustments; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Kim Meredith; seconder: Troy Sprinkle).

6) Monroe Township EMS station allocation (developer TIF funds) — Approve appropriation of $200,000 received from a developer payment associated with the West Point TIF restructuring to be used for capital expenses to build an EMS station in Monroe Township; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Troy Sprinkle; seconder: Brian Culp). The county has received $200,000 to date of a $600,000 pledge from the developer; remaining installments will be appropriated when received.

7) Redevelopment Commission report — Council acknowledged receipt of the county redevelopment commission’s report as required by Indiana Code 36‑7‑14‑13; no vote required beyond receipt.

8) Sheriff’s annual jail report and inspection presentation — Presented and accepted as informational; no Council vote recorded.

9) Salary ordinance amendment for building inspector/code enforcement — Approve amendment to hourly rate schedule (02/1972 to 02/2019) as presented; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Brian Culp; seconder: Troy Sprinkle).

10) Cash fund resolution 2025‑4‑7 — Approve resolution authorizing county cash fund procedures and a safe purchase noted in the discussion; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Chip Keller; seconder: Brian Culp).

11) Authorization to fill a part‑time clerk position — Council approved filling an existing part‑time position in the clerk’s office; motion carried 7–0 (mover: Vicki Kivett; seconder: Melissa Green).

12) Adjournment — Motion to adjourn carried 7–0 (mover: Brian Culp; seconder: Melissa Green).

Why it matters: several appropriations were to cover personnel costs (EMS, health department, clerk’s office) and capital needs (Monroe Township EMS station); the health department appropriations included substantive debate over pay and the sustainability of grant funding. The Monroe Township EMS station funds come from a negotiated developer payment tied to a West Point TIF restructuring; the county has received $200,000 so far of a $600,000 commitment.

Speakers and officials who moved or seconded motions or were prominently involved in votes are listed below.","The Morgan County Council approved a series of routine and substantive items on April 7, including appropriations for EMS and county departments, a developer‑funded EMS station allocation, salary ordinance changes and routine resolutions. Most motions passed unanimously; one health department personnel appropriation passed 6–1.","actionData","errors"]

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Morgan County Council approves health department spending to map septic systems and make school liaison full time

At a glance: Morgan County Council votes on appropriations, EMS funding and personnel items