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Ripley County Council rejects $52,780 health salary transfer; schedules joint salary meeting
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Summary
A proposed $52,780 transfer into the county health department to cover salaries failed on a 3–3–1 vote; council members scheduled a special joint meeting with commissioners for April 20, 2026 to discuss 2027 salaries and budgets.
A motion to transfer $52,780 into the Ripley County health department’s salary account failed at the March 16 council meeting, leaving plans for 2027 salaries unresolved and prompting council leaders to set a special meeting with county commissioners.
Council President Pro Tem Peggy Ehlers presented the proposal to move $52,780 from an HFI account into Health General for salaries. The motion failed on a tie, recorded as 3 yes, 3 no and 1 absent, denying the requested re-appropriation at this session.
Ehlers also told the council that she, Stan Wiedeman and Diane Macek had met with department heads about salaries. The council set a special joint meeting with the county commissioners for 5 p.m. on April 20, 2026 to discuss 2027 salaries and the county budget.
The meeting record also shows continuing uncertainty about the Animal Control Officer (Dog Warden) position. Council President Ron Decker said he was not sure what is happening with that post and that the commissioners need to make a decision about whether to proceed; the council noted that funding for the position would be a council decision if commissioners request it.
What happens next The council and commissioners will meet April 20 to discuss salaries and budgets. If a funding transfer is needed, it will be brought back to the council for a vote.