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Dubois County Council approves engineer pay changes, multiple appropriations and creates NAMI grant fund
Summary
At its May 19 meeting the Dubois County Council approved a higher wage range for the County Engineer, an amended salary ordinance, several appropriations including $15,000 for CaseBase software, tax‑abatement compliance forms for Fischer Farms, and created a $4,000 NAMI grant fund for CIT training and a conference trip.
The Dubois County Council on May 19 approved a series of personnel and budget measures, including raising the County Engineer wage ceiling and creating a local NAMI grant fund to support Crisis Intervention Team training.
The action items were carried unanimously. President Michael W. Kluesner presided over the meeting in the Dubois County Annex Commissioner/Council Chambers.
Auditor Sandra L. Morton asked the council to raise the PAT VI wage classification maximum for the County Engineer from $52.36 to $57.70; Michael W. Kluesner moved the change, Ryan Craig seconded, and the motion passed unanimously. Morton told the council the change implements a County Commissioners decision to adjust the engineer position’s pay range.
Morton also presented an amendment to the county Salary Ordinance to set the County Engineer’s biweekly pay at $4,615.38, to be paid from the Highway MVH and Cum Bridge funds; the increase is scheduled to begin June 9, 2025. The council approved the amended ordinance on the motion of Ryan Craig, seconded by Deena J. Lewis.
The council approved an additional $5,850 appropriation from the Cum Bridge Fund for County Engineer personal services (salary $4,921.39, FICA $377.00, PERF $551.61) after a motion by Ryan Craig and second by Alex P. Hohl.
On budget and program spending, the council approved a $15,000 capital outlay appropriation from the Community Transition Program (CTP) fund to purchase CaseBase software and equipment. Commissioners had approved a 2025 trial level of $1,000 per month and warned the county that, if the program continues into 2026, monthly costs could rise to $3,500.
The council also approved tax‑abatement compliance filings for Fischer Farms Natural Foods related to a building extension and an amended CF‑1 for cost‑segregation adjustments; Diana Fischer presented both filings. Ryan Craig moved approval of the CF‑1/PP and CF‑1/RE forms for the extension (seconded by Sonya Haas), and later moved approval of the amended CF‑1/PP for the original 2024 filing and 2025 filing (seconded by Alex P. Hohl). Both motions carried unanimously.
Auditor Morton requested creation of a local NAMI grant fund of $4,000 to allow Sheriff Deputy Social Worker Emily Haas to attend the CIT International Conference in Anaheim and to support local CIT training and related Crisis Intervention Team activities. Meredith I. Voegerl moved creation of the fund, Deena J. Lewis seconded, and the council approved the fund unanimously. Morton said funds must be expended by Dec. 31, 2025, after which the fund will be closed; allowable expenses listed included registration, hotel, flight, transportation, and per‑diem allowances.
Separately, 911 Director Stuart Wison presented a $5,215 quote from Weyer Electric for a live monitor panel for the Security Center generator. The County Commissioners approved the quote pending funding; following discussion the council reached consensus to advertise an additional appropriation of $5,500 from the LIT‑CR tax to cover the project.
The council scheduled upcoming budget review and public‑hearing dates and received the Mid‑States Corridor 2023/2024 financial statement for review. With no further business, the council adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
Votes at a glance: - Approval of April 28, 2025 minutes — motion Ryan Craig; second Doug Uebelhor; outcome: approved unanimously. - Fischer Farms CF‑1/PP and CF‑1/RE approval — motion Ryan Craig; second Sonya Haas; outcome: approved unanimously. - Fischer Farms amended CF‑1/PP approval — motion Ryan Craig; second Alex P. Hohl; outcome: approved unanimously. - Create NAMI grant fund ($4,000) — motion Meredith I. Voegerl; second Deena J. Lewis; outcome: approved unanimously. - Change PAT VI wage range to $36.52–$57.70 — motion Michael W. Kluesner; second Ryan Craig; outcome: approved unanimously. - Cum Bridge additional appropriation ($5,850) — motion Ryan Craig; second Alex P. Hohl; outcome: approved unanimously. - Amended Salary Ordinance for County Engineer (biweekly $4,615.38) — motion Ryan Craig; second Deena J. Lewis; outcome: approved unanimously. - CTP capital outlay appropriation ($15,000 for CaseBase) — motion Ryan Craig; second Alex P. Hohl; outcome: approved unanimously.
Next steps: several items (the monitor panel funding and the CTP ongoing monthly cost) require further administrative action; the NAMI fund must be expended by Dec. 31, 2025 per council direction.
