Opposition noted, council stalls on jobs ordinance

Tempers were hard for some to control, as many Vigo County employees voiced concerns regarding a proposed salary ordinance and an independent consulting firm hired by county officials to determine pay rates and job classification.

In opening the county council meeting this evening, President Rick Burger noted that there has been much discussion regarding the salary ordinances.

"We're doing homework on it. We're listening to some of the comments and concerns,"  Burger said, asking the council members to consider tabling the three-part series. "We still need to get this in gear for the first of the year."

It includes a general salary ordinance, merit officer salary ordinance and the Vigo County elected official salary ordinance. The council voted 7-0 in favor of postponing action.

The large group of county employees in attendance implied they didn't trust the direction of the council, especially regarding the independent study group that was hired.

Reportedly the consultants met with department heads yesterday. Now, many want to know details including job descriptions and classifications as well as individual pay rates -- and, they want to know exactly who will decide on raises.

Councilman Mark Bird, who is on the budget committee, said it was determined "half a million dollars would go for raises."

Director of Vigo County Area Planning Darren Maher addressed the council about what he believed is unfair treatment, because employees weren't involved in the process.

"It doesn't just come down to money, it comes down to pride," Maher said, asking to be involved now that the ordinance has been delayed.  He wants each employee to know what their pay rate will be next year before action is taken on the ordinance, adding, "I feel as if the employees need an apology for not being treated fairly."

Director of the Vigo County Health Department Joni Wise pointed out that the county was recently awarded a $193,000 grant-- the second largest grant in the state by the Indiana State Department of Health, she said. Wise questioned why the 2016 budget committee removed $77,000 from the funds. She said she has yet to receive a clear answer. She wants to know the policy, because she has only heard that the committee didn't want to approve funding for a full - time employee with grant money.

"You can be wishy  washy on how you choose what grants or what positions you make full time -- but please make them an informed decision,"Wise said.

,In other business:

The council took a "critical step" in the Hulman Civic Center renovation project.

The council members voted unanimously in favor of approving  a request by county commissioners  for $400,000 of EDIT funds to go for pre-development purposes.

"It's a critical next step that gets us on the path to the design phase,"  Greg Goode, executive director-governmental relations at Indiana State University, said.

The appropriation is a signal that all partners in the project, including the city of Terre Haute and Indiana State University, are ready to move forward with the plans for what is expected to cost a total of $75 million, with state funding of $37.5 million.

"It's a great facility and a lot of memories have been made in that facility,"Goode said. He noted that ISU has agreed to pitch in $500,000; Terre Haute Mayor Duke Bennett has committed $400,000; and the city's Convention and Visitors Bureau has committed to $200,000 with a grand total of $1.5 million in good faith money. All the partners in the plan will meet soon and appoint a governing body.

The council also approved the following appropriations:
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• $340,788 for the IT Department for Microsoft licensing fees.
• $26,000 f0r Juvenile Center payroll this year.
• $283,500 for the Highway Department for road salt.
• $64,750 for the Vigo County Jail for care of patients and inmates.
• $6,220 for group home necessities.
•  Reallocating $3,000 for the Prosecutor's Office for law books to travel expenses.