Council sets civic center plans to side for now

By Lucy Perry 


The Vigo County Council voted to postpone a measure that would allow $1.5 million in Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funds to go toward renovating the Hulman Civic Center during a budget hearing this evening.

“We just want to set it to the side until we get more details,” Rick Burger, council president said.

The decision to stall funding for the project came after Vigo County Commissioner Judy Anderson urged the council to consider the condition of the dated jail facility.

“We’re going to have to have to renovate or build; we don’t really have much choice,” she said, noting a recent personnel and jail study.”At this time, during budget, I’d like to see that $1.5 million tabled.”

County Auditor Timothy Seprodi did a first reading of the Vigo County  budget  for 2016. To view the proposed $68.8 million budget, see http://www.budgetnotices.in.gov/

In other business:

UPDATE 12/18/15--- Dr. Susan Amos has filed a lawsuit against the County Council Thursday in U.S. District Court for Southern Indiana- Terre Haute. ICN will follow as it develops.
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Coroner addresses council regarding alleged pay discrimination

A Vigo County coroner also addressed the council regarding budget concerns, pertaining specifically to her pay rate.

Dr. Susan Amos is alleging a significant imbalance between her salary and a male counterpart’s salary. She cites sex discrimination as a reason, while she addressed the council tonight.

From the years 1989 through 2012, a physician coroner was paid the same as the majority of other elected officials, she explained. She said that during that time period, no part of the coroner salary was listed as a stipend for doing autopsies or not doing autopsies.

She claims that when she was running unopposed for the office, the pay scale changed, an allegation that the council president, Rick Burger says will be taken under advisement.

“I was targeted specifically to have the salary changed,” she said noting that others are being paid regardless of educational background. “The only difference between the other physician coroner and myself, is that I’m female -- I feel like this is federal discrimination, and I’m trying to avoid lawsuit here.”

After the meeting, Dr. Amos explained that the difference in the pay rate is several thousand dollars per year and she has legal council on the matter.

The council approved the following appropriations:

• Grant of $200,000 toward the construction Casey’s General Store  Distribution Center which is slated to open in January or February and expected to employ 185 people. Councilman Ed Ping noted he was concerned that local construction workers were not being used for the project.
  
  
• Surveyor GPS Equipment costing $18,500.
  
  
• Building maintenance stipend for $1,025 for cell phone for two custodians
  
  
• County Adjusted Gross Income Taxes (CAGIT)-$50,000 request by the sheriff’s office the toward the Humane Society Building Fund to go toward the new construction. The new shelter is expected to open in late fall.

(8/11)