Steuben County Council approves series of appropriations, transfers and an abatement compliance finding

The Steuben County Council on April 8, 2025 approved a package of budget actions, appointments and administrative items, including a $555,256 grant appropriation for highway work, multiple departmental additional appropriations and a contested $250,000 transfer from the Rainy-Day Fund to pay for chip-and-seal road repairs.

Council President Dan Caruso opened the meeting following a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance. The Council unanimously approved a reduced Additional Appropriation of $9,464.59 to the Jury Pay Fund at the request of Superior Court Judge William Fee to cover jury trial expenses.

County Prosecutor Travis Musser won approval for a $24,888.00 funds transfer to cover part-time prosecutor payroll while a deputy position is vacant. Chief Probation Officer Pam Feller received two grant-related appropriations: $2,590.00 (Drug Testing) and a second appropriation with the $4,700.00 portion recorded in the minutes; both motions were approved. JDAI Coordinator Trinity Wright received $1,440.00 for Art & Equine Therapy programming funded by Drug Free Steuben.

County Clerk Tangi Manahan won approval for $8,850.00 in appropriations across multiple Clerk budget lines to cover costs for a Hamilton Community Schools special election on May 5, 2025; Manahan said the county expects reimbursement from the school corporation and that reimbursed monies will be returned to the General Fund.

Highway Department Engineer Chip Porter secured an Additional Appropriation of $555,256.00 for an awarded grant (fund referenced in the minutes as Poka Bache) and a $200,000.00 funds transfer to the county Salt account. Porter also reported that the county fuel station has saved about $20,000 in fuel costs since opening.

Porter requested a $250,000.00 appropriation from the Rainy-Day Fund for chip-and-seal road repairs, prompting concern from Council Vice President Christina Cress, who noted outside projections (referred to in the minutes as Peters Franklin) suggested a higher Rainy-Day balance. Council President Caruso responded that projections are estimates and do not mandate a required balance. The Council approved the $250,000.00 appropriation on a 5–2 vote; Cress and Councilwoman Renee Carper voted no.

Stuart Blackburn, CFO of Miller Poultry, presented documentation supporting renewal of nine tax abatements (five personal property and four real property) and said the business now employs roughly 235 workers and exceeds wage requirements. The Council found Miller Poultry in substantial compliance; the motion passed 6–0 with Councilwoman Renee Carper recorded as abstaining. President Caruso asked Blackburn to work with Isaac Lee of the Steuben County EDC to produce a report on employment and wage impacts specific to Steuben County.

Community Corrections Director Brett Hays submitted the NICC Community Crossings grant proposal (personnel salaries/benefits) and an Additional Appropriation request totaling $35,670.06 to appropriate CTP grant funds; the Council approved those items unanimously. (The meeting minutes contain a numeric transcription error in the split of that appropriation; see clarifying details.)

Deputy Surveyor Greg Knaur received approval for $50,000.00 to pay a licensed surveyor to locate section corners so the county can meet its statutory obligation to record 5% of section corners this year. Human Resources Director Erin Schiffli updated the Council on progress establishing a Public Defender office and said maintenance has been asked to provide renovation bids; Schiffli said several months of start-up funding will likely be needed, but no funding action was taken at the meeting.

County Commissioner Andy Laughlin told the Council Tri-State Airport will request an additional $310,000.00 to remove old underground fuel tanks; Auditor Kelli Johnson said an IDEM reimbursable grant of $300,000.00–$310,000.00 is expected after project completion. The Commissioners will bring a formal funding request; the Council did not vote on that item at the April 8 meeting.

The Council approved an Inter-Fund Transfer totaling $195,140.11 to reconcile financial records, approved Additional Appropriation Resolution No. 04-2025-01, appointed Mary Sacquitne to the Fremont Public Library Board through December 2028, and approved meeting minutes for March and February. Council President Caruso asked that an ARPA meeting be scheduled in May 2025 to discuss ARPA-funded projects and balances.

The meeting adjourned after a final motion by Councilman Bill McClanahan.

Ending: The Council took no action on prospective state legislation or LOHUT tax rates at this meeting; items requiring follow-up include the requested Tri-State Airport funding (to be sought by the Commissioners), the requested Miller Poultry employment/wage impact report, and a scheduled ARPA meeting in May 2025.