County Commission Oct. 19

County Commission meeting Oct 19, 2009
Julie Merklin observing

McCulloh and Kearns present. Kearns presiding

Johnette Shepek, Budget and Finance Officer announced that the budget book and brochure are available on the county website.

Barry Wilkerson, County Attorney gave the case statistics up to Oct. 15, 2009 and a comparison with previous years’ complete statistics. Based on current activities he anticipates exceeding all of last years’ case filings by this year’s end.

Wilkerson said that because of the hiring freeze and possible furloughs, his office will be very short-handed in the future. Because of mandatory time limits for getting people arraigned and required time frames in getting children removed from dangerous home situations, things will be very difficult. Courts are for the people and they need timely access.

The director of aTa bus said that some grant money may be available to construct an aTa facility and she asked if the county would think of donating land by the new county shop site. The Commission thought it would be a good idea, especially as it looks like there might be no cost to the county and the 2-3 acres requested would be available.

Pat Collins reported on the upcoming Volunteer Firefighters Recognition Banquet. There are 160-170 unpaid volunteers and they respond to some 400 calls in a year.

The Commission and all present were given a tour of one the new ambulances. It was pointed out that now there are airbags that deploy in case of rollover accidents.