Meeting: County Council second Tuesday

Start Position

Anthony Emery opens up nominations for Council President. Motion:to nominate Ben Gale as PresidentMoved: Jerry AlexanderSeconded: Mikeal Vaughn Anthony Emery closes the nomination and calls for a roll call vote. Roll Call Vote – Yes: Councilman Steele, Councilman Reese, Councilman Sumner, Councilman Alexander, Councilman Gale, Councilman Vaughn, Vice President Emery. No: None.Motion Passed, unanimously

President Gale opens nominations for Council Vice President.Motion:to nominate Anthony Emery as Vice PresidentMoved: Mikeal VaughnSeconded: Jerry Alexander Ben Gale closes the nomination and calls for a roll call vote. Roll Call Vote – Yes: Councilman Steele, Councilman Reese, Councilman Sumner, Councilman Alexander, Councilman Emery, Councilman Vaughn, President Gale. No: None.Motion Passed, unanimously

Approval of Minutes for November 10, 2020 Motion:to approve as presentedMoved: Fred Reese Seconded: Anthony Emery Motion PassedCouncilman Steele abstains as he was not a member during said meeting date.Auditor’s Report

Madison County Auditor Rick Gardner presents a pack to the Council members with year-end cash balances. One report presented is a cash balance for all fund managed by the County. The cash balance for all funds for December 31, 2020 is $40,439,889.26. The General Fund cash balance for the same date is $8,489,000. The unexpended balance that was budgeted but not spent is $1,527,000. He states the year-end cash balance needs to be at $9 million - $9.5 million to operate.

The Auditor presents the encumbrances to the Council members and explains encumbrances are for items ordered in the previous budgeted year but did not have the opportunity to pay the invoice in the same year. Motion:to approve the encumbrances as presentedMoved: Anthony EmerySeconded: Fred ReeseMotion Passed, unanimously

Anthony Emery reads the transfer requests.Motion:to approve the transfers as presentedMoved: Anthony EmerySeconded: Fred ReeseMotion Passed, unanimously

President Gale speaks on appointments for committees. He appoints Anthony Emery to the Hazard Pay Committee. This committee is to investigate the potential for an employee bonus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. President Gale goes on to appoint Jerry Alexander to the Planning Commission Committee. He also states a Certificate of Appointment to the Library Board was received for the reappointment of Duane Hoak. Motion:to approve the library reappointmentMoved: Anthony EmerySeconded: Fred ReeseMotion Passed, unanimously

President Gale reads aloud Special Resolution 2021-R-1A. Motion:to approve the Special ResolutionMoved: Mikeal VaughnSeconded: Anthony Emery Roll Call Vote – Aye: Councilman Steele, Councilman Alexander, Councilman Emery, Councilman Vaughn, President Gale. Nay: Councilman Reese. Abstain: Councilman Sumner.Motion Passed

President Gale discusses the expenses pertaining to the Madison County jail. Doors and other pieces of aging infrastructure were of concern. He mentions the topic of a jail study may be presented from the Commissioners in the near future. President Gale felt that it may be appropriate to discuss how Council wants to move forward on how to fund what needs to happen with the jail. He states whether it would be additional money in maintenance or renovation or a new building, it will be a major expense and wants to be ahead and prepared. Motion:to adjournMoved: Anthony EmerySeconded: Fred Reese Motion Passed, unanimouslySpecial Council Meeting is scheduled for January 26th at 6:00PM in the Council Chambers of the Courthouse.