At the September 16, 2015 meeting of the Clark County Commissioners, the commissioners listened to continued complaints concerning the treatment of foster parents by the Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS). A foster parent, who requested to remain anonymous, reported that a child who was in her care was picked up by Rides Plus at the request of the DJFS and taken to Youth Challenges rather than to Rocking Horse where she was supposed to go. The child was left at the facility for seven hours and plied with junk food the entire time. Rocking Horse called the foster parent and berated her for the child missing her appointment despite the fact that the parent was unaware that the agency had taken the child to the wrong location. In addition, DJFS reportedly removed the child from the home without taking the child’s clothing and personal affects. According to Rev. Linda Stampley, who attended the meeting in support of the foster parent said, “Something is broken. We have people who want to help the children but because the system treats them so badly, they don’t want to be foster parents anymore. It should be about the children and it’s not.”

The commissioners agreed to investigate the situation.

In addition, the commissioners reviewed several options for the 2016 medical insurance plans offered by the vendor. To renew the current plan as it currently stands, premiums for insurance would increase 12.00%. The large increase is due to a 121% usage of paid premiums for 2015, which is significant. For most years, the insurer plans on around 75% usage of paid premiums. Since this is a significant increase, the vendor offered six options that result in increases ranging from 9.36% increase to a 1.47% increase. The differences primarily result from either an increase in out of pocket employee expenses, increased co pays, and/or increased prescription drug costs. The two options that would result in the lowest premium increase are based on a switch from a PPO plan to an H.S.A. plan. Although the premium increase would be minimal, the employee’s out of pocket expenses would increase substantially. The commissioners dismissed these options. The option the commissioners are leaning toward would increase the out of pocket expenses but keep co-pays and drug costs the same. For this plan, the premium would increase 7.05%. For the county employees who participate in the wellness program, the impact would be minimal. The commissioners will make a final decision on September 23, 2015.

For the Solid Waste District Director, the commissioners authorized a contract with Pratt Industries, Inc. for $2500 per month to recycle corrugated cardboard that has no value or use to the county. The contract is effective September 16, 2015 and is renewable on a month-to-month basis. John Detrick, Commissioner, remarked, “I’m glad to see we are using a local company.”

They also authorized up to $200 to purchase retirement party items for an excellent long-term county employee who is retiring.

For the Utilities Department, the commissioners authorized a contract with CIRES Electrical Services, Inc for $45,000 for electrical repair and replacement at the Department of Utility Facilities. The contract is effective September 16, 2015 through September 16, 2016. The contract is for services on an as needed basis.

For the Engineering Department, the commissioners authorized two contracts that are funded out of the Community Development Block Grant Program. First, they authorized a contract with Sturm Construction for $172,000 to repair and replace street and drainage facilities on and along Prentice Drive in New Carlisle. The contract is effective September 16, 2015 through December 31, 2015. Nathan Kennedy, County Administrator will ensure that a letter is sent to all New Carlisle City Council members to notify them the work is being funded.

The second contract covered by the grant, is a contract with Durst Brothers, Inc. for the Bethel Township Drainage Improvements Project. The contract is for $59,210 effective September 16, 2015. Notification will be sent to Bethel Township Trustees that the contract was awarded.

In regular county business, the commissioners acknowledged the intent to award contracts to Modern Office Methods and ComDoc for multifunction devises for the county. The proposal from Woodhull was rejected.

They also appointed Andrew H. Elder of Elder and Elder Law Firm to the Public Defender Commission. His term will expire September 16, 2019.

In addition, Kennedy provided the commissioners with two alternatives for the 2016 legal holidays to be observed by the county. The primary difference between the two options was observing Christmas Eve and four hours on New Year’s Eve as holidays on version B of the proposal. The commissioners selected option B, which will give county employees 12.5 paid holidays in 2016.

The commissioners set the date and time for public hearings for two rezoning requests. The rezoning hearings are set for September 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. in the Public Chambers at 50 E. Columbia Street, 5th floor. The first case, submitted by Wayne and Jennifer Goodfellow is a request to rezone 37.03 acres at 2450 Enon Road from I-1 - Industrial to A-1 - Agricultural. The second case, requested by Timothy Wiskirchen, is to rezone 2.5 acres at 6431 Springfield-Xenia Road from A-1 - Agricultural to B-4S - Heavy Business District, Specific Use for a Self-Storage Facility.

Lastly, the county continues to place uncollected water and sewer charges on tax duplicates for residents throughout the county. A lien was placed on five properties in Springfield Township and one in Bethel Township. The uncollected funds total $5,790.35

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Clark County Commissioners is set for September 23, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commissioners Conference Room.