Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-12-17 MINUTES OF COUNCIL DECEMBER 17, 2014 The Batesville City Council met in regular session on December 17th at 5:22 P.M. at the Batesville Fire Department Station 3 on White Drive. Mayor Rick Elumbaugh called the meeting to order. Utility Billing Office Manager Nick Baxter gave the invocation. Upon roll call, the following councilmembers answered present: Chris Beller, Tommy Bryant, Sonya Crafton, Margarett Henley, Paige Hubbard, Doug Matthews, Chris Poole and David Shetron. Also present were the City Attorney Lindsey Castleberry and City Clerk Denise Johnston. Minutes from the previous meeting were not ready for approval. Councilmember Beller moved to approve the prepared agenda. Councilmember Bryant seconded and all voted for. CITIZENS COMMENTS Mr. Darrell Birmingham addressed the council regarding the possibility of forming a Batesville Police Department and said his understanding is it would cost the city an additional $400,000.00 to start a new police department, therefore he said the city should not stop the interlocal agreement. He also said the city should stop the lawsuit filed to stop the incorporation of Southside. OLD BUSINESS None NEW BUSINESS A) CONSIDER AN ORDINANCE TO WITHDRAW FROM THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH INDEPENDENCE COUNTY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT Councilmember Poole asked the Mayor if he could say a few words before the ordinance was considered. Mr. Poole said he would first like to address Mr. Birmingham's remarks. He said the $400,000.00 that Mr. Birmingham is referring to is the budget for the City's 911 Dispatching Department. He explained that the city currently operates the 911 dispatching for the entire county. The remaining 1.2 million in the budget is for law enforcement. The study conducted by Davis Business Planning said the city could have 4.5 officers on the street 24/7 compared to the 2.6 that we are currently paying for. Mr. Poole said he would also like to comment on a couple of statements made by the Sheriff and County Judge at last Thursday's Interlocal meeting. He said the Sheriff and Judge insinuated that they were unaware of the discussions to discontinuing the interlocal agreement and if we, the city, had asked they could put four more officers on the street. Mr. Poole said if that were possible and sustainable, why has it not been done. He said at the interlocal meeting, Judge Griffin said if the city and county split law enforcement, we would no longer have a SWAT Team, Dive Team, Drug Task Force or Reserve Officers. Mr. Poole reminded the council that all those Special Forces are volunteer positions and there is no reason why the city and county cannot work together to have them. He noted that Batesville is the only 1St class city that does not have its own police force and he is sure other cities our size and larger have those Special Forces either together or independently of the county. Councilmember Bryant said it is his understanding that the county has not given the sheriff deputies raises in the past 6 or 8 years except for maybe a small amount to cover a tax increase. He said the officers are at the bottom of the pay scale for our State and often leave for better paying jobs. Mr. Poole said contrary to rumors, the city is not doing this to throw the county under the bus. He said he hopes the finger pointing will stop and both departments will work together for the good of both sides. Mr. Castleberry said he wanted to remind the council that currently most liability falls on the county for lawsuits filed against officers. Although we are currently involved with a lawsuit involving a metro officer, normally that is not the case. Councilmember Shetron said since the city already owns the cars, guns, ammunition, etc., we are still subject to litigation. Councilmember Poole then introduced an ordinance authorizing the withdrawal from the interlocal agreement on law enforcement. Mr. Castleberry read the ordinance in full. Councilmember Beller moved to suspend the rules and waive the second and third readings. Councilmember Shetron seconded and the roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. Councilmember Shetron moved to adopt the ordinance and Councilmember Beller seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. The ordinance was given #2014-12-02. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the emergency clause and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The roll call count was 8 for and 0 against. B) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO NEGOTIATE WITH INDEPENDENCE COUNTY AND RURAL FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO CONTINUE PERFORMING DISPATCH SERVICES Councilmember Bryant introduced a resolution to negotiate with Independence County and the rural fire departments to continue performing dispatch services. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The roll call count was 7 for and 0 against. Councilmember Hubbard had to leave the meeting early for a previous commitment. The resolution was given #2014-12-02-R. C) CONSIDER A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE 2015 BUDGET Councilmember Beller introduced a resolution to adopt the 2015 budget. Mr. Castleberry read the resolution in full. Councilmember Bryant moved to adopt the resolution and Councilmember Shetron seconded. The roll call vote was 7 for and 0 against. The resolution was given #2014-12-03-R. MAYOR COMMENTS Mayor Elumbaugh said the construction at the Community Center is moving along and red iron beams were erected today. He also noted that the next council meeting will be January 13, 2015 and wished everyone a Merry Christmas. LIAISON REPORTS None COUNCIL COMMENTS Councilmember Bryant said there are several street lights out in Batesville and hopes our new police department will be able to help locate and report the problems to Entergy. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Councilmember Bryant moved that the meeting be adjourned. Councilmember Henley seconded and all voted for. RICK ELUMBAUGH, MAYOR DENISE M. JOHNSTON, CITY CLERK