KENTON COUNTY FISCAL COURT

DECEMBER 14, 2004

MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Kenton County Fiscal Court was called to order by Judge Executive Ralph A. Drees at 9:00 a.m.  Present at the meeting were Commissioners Dan Humpert, Barbara Black and Adam Koenig; Deputy Judge Executive Scott Kimmich; County Attorney Garry Edmondson; County Treasurer Ivan Frye; Human Resources Director Joe Shriver; Police Chief Bill Dorsey; Emergency Management Director Ed Burk; Special Projects Manager Ralph Bailey; Public Works Director Joe Murphy; Fleet Management Director Mike McKenney; Assistant Attorney Brandon Voelker; Assistant Attorney Stacey Hege; County Engineer Charlie Meyers; Buildings and Ground Director Gary Sinclair; Jailer Terry Carl; Court Reporter Cathy Johnston; and Guests.

The invocation was given and pledge of allegiance led by Commissioner Barbara Black.

Approval of Minutes

Judge Drees asked for approval of the minutes for November 23, 2004.  Commissioner Humpert moved for approval of the minutes with corrections previously given.  Commissioner Black seconded the motion with one change from Richmond Road to Richardson Road.  The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.

Delegations

There were not any delegations to appear before the court.

General Business

There was no general business to come before the court.

Resolutions

There were no resolutions asked for from the court.

Ordinances

ORDINANCE NO. 121.1`7-Second reading of revision of administrative code pertaining to property inventory, Ivan Frye reporting:  The ordinance did not change between the first and second reading and requires approval of the auditor's office on the county's capitalization policy.

Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Black.  Approval was unanimously granted upon roll call.

ORDINANCE NO. 121.18-First reading of the fiscal court meeting schedule for January through December 2005:  Commissioner Humpert moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Black.  Approval was unanimously granted with a vote of aye.

ORDINANCE NO. 130.2-Second reading amending the line of succession for the county, Ed Burk reporting:  This is the amendment to change the ordinance to make it easier to appoint someone in the line of succession for the county government in the event that the judge and deputy judge are away corresponding to people taking office.

Judge Drees asked if the person would be named at the January meeting and Mr. Burk answered in the affirmative.  Commissioner Black moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Humpert.  The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.

ORDINANCE NO. 531.96-Second reading to discontinue portions of Cody Road, Brandon Voelker reporting:  To discontinue a portion of Cody Road that was redone a couple of years ago that the county is in the process of selling.  Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Black and the motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

ORDINANCE NO. 924.23-Second reading for an approximate 55-acre area located along the North side of Maher Road, Brandon Voelker reporting:  Proposed map amendment.  Also, included are the findings necessary from the planning and zoning commission.  Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Black.

Deputy Judge Kimmich said he would like to remind the court that the motion would include the findings of the planning commission to be adopted and the conditions set forth in the recommendations become a part and parcel of the minutes for purposes of review and approval.

The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

ORDINANCE NO. 924.25-First reading of a proposed text amendment to the Kenton County zoning ordinance, Scott Kimmich reporting:  Several weeks ago a request was received from an individual interested in acquiring property in Kenton County in an industrial park (IP) zone and requested the process known as biodiesel refinement be added to the list as a principally permitted use.  The area planning commission was asked to review the matter and they have made the recommendation that would be an appropriate use based on the findings of their evaluation.  Mr. Kimmich introduced Ms. Melissa Jort to the court to answer any questions.  Mr. Kimmich also said the court has three options: 1) To approve the recommendation of the planning commission; 2) take no action at all; or 3) to make changes or recommendations requesting the county attorney to make further clarification.  Unlike a zone change where action has to be taken within 90 days, because there is a text amendment there is no time line set forth on the fiscal court for action.

Ms. Jort said she would be happy to answer any specific questions asked by the court.  A public hearing was held on December 2nd on the application and staff did recommend approval of the text amendment.  The public hearing was opened and testimony was heard from the proposed owner of the biodiesel refinery business and based on the testimony and staff recommendation, the planning commission also recommended approval of the text amendment.

Commissioner Humpert asked for the basis of the staff recommendation.  Ms. Jort said all of the permitted uses within the industrial zones of the Kenton County zoning ordinance have to be in compliance with the performance standards for industrial zones.  All of the criteria were looked at for the performance standards and the proposed use was evaluated in terms of its impact on the various standards such as noise, odorous matter, humidity, heat, etc.  This operation would be in a contained environment so there would not be any concerns related to the performance standards.

Commissioner Humpert asked if another biodiesel refinery facility was visited to evaluate the performance standards.  Ms. Jort answered no and that there is a biodiesel board and a lot of information was found through this board and research was done to get this information.  Commissioner Humpert asked if it would be worthwhile to visit a biodiesel refinement facility to see the particulars of one.  Judge Drees said he did not think so and it seemed to easily fit the categories and he did not personally see a need for the visit.

Commissioner Black said at this point that she lacked enough information to make a decision on this text amendment and requested more information that was alluded to by Commissioner Humpert.  In this particular IP zone, there is not really a choice on the zone as now dictated by the planning commission with an IP standing on its own.  That is the only particular IP zone we now have and there are several zones in the county that are zoned IP, and because of this particular area being in such a close proximity to homes and other restaurants and businesses, this is not an appropriate place for this type of business.  She also said that since it is a text amendment and there is no dictated time period when the court has to act, the action requested is agreeing with the text amendment, asking for additional information, and asked Deputy Judge Kimmich to clarify the other choice.  Deputy Judge Kimmich referred to County Attorney Edmondson who said a conditional use could be made in which conditions are set that is one way of segregating one IP zone from another.  He also said he did not know where all of the IP zones are and the conditions may not adversely affect other zones.  One way of being able to distinguish one zone from another would be by way of making conditional usage of the zone.

Deputy Judge Kimmich said since there is some concern, he would encourage the commissioners to, rather than stop the ordinance entirely, approve the ordinance on first reading, set the second reading for the January 11 meeting and by this time the county attorney and planning commission can come back with the added information either to make a principally permitted, conditional usage or not at all.  This would not stop the process because you don't have to accept the recommendation of the planning commission on a text amendment if you go from principally committed to conditional use.  This could be done without going back to the planning commission hearing process.

Mr. Edmondson said the first reading does not bind the court to changing its mind at the second reading.  The first reading is to say that the court is considering an ordinance and if anyone has objections or thoughts they will need to come forward to address the court.

Commissioner Humpert said if this particular facility went into this location, what distance would it be from residential property and is there any kind of setback for the IP.  Ms. Jort said she did have maps of the three IP zone areas and she would share them with the court.

Commissioner Black asked Ms. Jort if she knew the distance between the IP zone and the homes in the area.  Ms. Jort said there were homes in the area and the distance would have to be calculated and there are residents probably within a couple of hundred yards.  A text amendment is addressed based on the use and not where it is to be located.  The decision to be made is whether or not biodiesel refinement for the IP zone and the question is whether the refinement is consistent with the IP requirements and the performance standards.  Recommendations of both staff and the planning commission say that it does meet requirements.

Judge Drees asked what the uses of the refinement plant would be.  Ms. Jort answered manufacturing, compounding, processing, assembling of materials, there is a long list that includes everything from billboards and other commercial advertising structures to candy and confectionary products, cigars, cosmetics, furniture, instruments and professional scientific optical use, etc.  It provides other uses such as tanning works, training services, laboratories, machine shops, printing processes, etc.

Judge Drees asked if the other three zones are zoned in this manner and the locations.  Ms. Jort answered the first one is near the intersection of Doe Lick and Bromley-Crescent Springs Road, the second and third one are off of Turkeyfoot Road at Industrial Road and New Buffington.  Ms. Jort said she had a copy of the map that she would leave for the court to have copies.

Commissioner Humpert asked if there wasn't also an IP on KY #17, and Ms. Jort answered that these were the three.

Ms. Jort asked if the court had spoken with the person who is proposing the business.  Mr. Kimmich mentioned that the person had called the office twice and he did talk to him to advise him that as long as the text amendment was pending before the planning commission it was inappropriate for the court to engage in dialogue with him.  Ms. Jort said he did go into quite a bit of detail as to the nature of the business and how it is processed to become biodiesel.  He also talked about how the material is brought in, how the remnants leave the site, the processing, and the concerns were the same as the court is asking.  Everything arrives to the site contained and everything leaves contained.

Commissioner Black said the court has to determine if this is an acceptable or appropriate use in the IP zone.  She did not believe that based on what she had read and hearing and reading what the planning commission had to say, that it is not an appropriate use and she was asking for additional information.

Commissioner Koenig said he would like more information about after the materials come into the site contained, what happens in the interim before they go back out contained.  Conditional use may be appropriate in the long term since there will be more control over what is done and making sure it is will not be a problem because of smells, etc.

Commissioner Humpert said he shared the concerns of the other two commissioners and he would just as soon wait until January so he could receive further information and discuss it in January as a first reading.

Judge Drees then asked for a motion to table the ordinance for 30 days.  Commissioner Humpert made the motion; seconded by Commissioner Black and the motion passed with the unanimous vote of aye.  Judge Drees suggested that the owner may want to attend the next meeting to answer any questions.

Mr. Kimmich asked the county attorney if it would create an unfair situation if information was sought from the proposed purchaser of the property.  Mr. Edmondson answered this would not be a problem and any other information gleaned may be helpful for the court.

Commissioner Black asked if there were any other known plants in the Greater Cincinnati area that works with this type of material.  Ms. Jort said that what Griffin Industries does is similar and she knew that it was being commercially sold and that TANK uses biodiesel.  Attorney Edmondson asked where their plant is located and Ms. Jort answered in Pendleton County with an office in Cold Springs.

Consent Agenda

CLAIMS LIST-Judge Drees asked if anyone had questions regarding the claims list and Commissioner Black asked about the two invoices written for the Department of Information Technology with the same number and amount to Cincinnati Bell.  Mr. Frye said these were for October and November and this was the actual maintenance for the phone system and it was the same amount every month.  This bill is paid out of IT and is allocated for all of the departments in the building who use the phone system.

Commissioner Black asked about having one company for cell phone usage in the departments.  It seems there would be much more power in bidding for one company.

Mr. Frye said the county had arrived at the best deal by having two companies.  The Nextel system is for the police department that provides them with the walkie-talkie feature where they can exchange messages that do not have to go out over the radio and dispatch can also be reached on an unlimited basis.  The rest of the cell phones are by Cincinnati Bell because they have much more usage and they do not have the same requirements as the police phones.

Judge Drees said there being no further questions, the warrants would be issued and the claims paid.

ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS

HANDOUT NO. 04-76-Approve county sheriff's budget term order for calendar year 2005:  Judge Drees said that on behalf of the sheriff, that he thought he had done a good job with the budget this year with keeping the payroll cost below the cost of living and the surplus for the two-year period is $740,000.  He also said he thought this was due to good management and the justice center had been cut down to four part-time deputies.

Sheriff Korzenborn said the state would save approximately $85,000 a year on this and his office would save about $14,000 for a total of about $100,000.  He also said there was a good audit with the state that came out about 64 cents short and the general audit came out 14 cents short.  In 2003, 993 county warrants were served and, including out-of-county warrants, 1,276.  This year with the November numbers in, with out-of-county warrants and Kenton County warrants, almost 2,000 have been served.  In the last three months, the office has exceeded every other agency in the county for warrants.

The sheriff said that his 75 percent of the anticipated 2005 receipts will be $2,451,145.48; regular office expenses, $403,937.10; and equipment, $46,184.42; for a total budget of $2,901,267.00.

Judge Drees said that compared to the office expense of last year, it went up quite a bit but this was due to the insurance cost going up and the county is not subsidizing the insurance account and the other is the IT expense.  Sheriff Korzenborn said the reason for the audits coming out so well was because of the relationship with their office and the programming from that office being so great.

Judge Drees asked for a motion for approval.  The motion was made by Commissioner Humpert and seconded by Commissioner Koenig.  The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

HANDOUT NO. 04-77-Surplus two office desks in the police department:  The motion was made by Commissioner Humpert; seconded by Commissioner Black.  The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.

HANDOUT NO. 04-78-Permission for the Judge Executive to sign contract by and between the Kenton County Fiscal Court and the city of Covington for the purchase of 501 Main Street:  Commissioner Koenig said he had reservations about this purchase and there were a lot of issues left to be worked out and he wished to make a motion to table it and address it at the next meeting.  Commissioner Black seconded this motion and it was passed following a roll call vote with Commissioner Humpert voting no.

HANDOUT NO. 04-79-Transfer property located at 6100 Twin Lakes Drive, Lot 595, to the city of Latonia Lakes for expanding the city's park facilities:  Judge Drees said he thought this would be a good use for this property.  Commissioner Black made the motion; seconded by Commissioner Humpert.  The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

HANDOUT NO. 04-80-Approve amendment to lease of Kenton Paw Park for expansion, Scott Kimmich reporting:  Increase the size of the park that will require them to raise $27,110 and increase the mowing account by $3,360.  The recreation department was asked to look at this and there are no problems with the way they want to expand it.  The court is being asked to approve an amendment to the lease that will increase the acreage with the same conditions that were placed on the original lease.  It was shown that within a three-day period 486 people went to the Paw Park on one weekend.  This is a facility that is getting a lot of use and they are asking for an additional 3.2 acres.

Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval; seconded by Commissioner Koenig.  The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

HANDOUT NO. 04-81-Approve contract with Dr. Caggiano as medical director for the county, Brandon Voelker reporting:  Approval is being asked upon acceptance of the terms.  The price is not to exceed $25,000 which is a savings of $10-$15,000 a year.  Mr. Frye said this is $15,000 less than was paid last year.

Commissioner Black moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Koenig.  Judge Drees asked for a roll call vote whereupon unanimous approval was granted.

HANDOUT NO. 04-82-Approve contract for communication center equipment and software at a cost of $101,155, Scott Kimmich reporting:  Request to authorize the execution of an agreement to provide the final phase of the equipment that will establish the records management system to be connected to the mobile data terminals.  Sufficient funds are in the police and IT budget to cover this acquisition.  The first vote needed is to declare Colossus, Inc. as the sole provider doing business as Interact Computer Systems for the software, and the second is to actually approve the agreement.  The dispatch manager, police chief, IT department and the treasurer have all worked on the proposal and it is clear that this is needed in order to ensure the system is operational.

Commissioner Koenig made the motion for the sole source provider; seconded by Commissioner Humpert.  The motion unanimously passed with an aye vote.

Judge Drees asked for a motion to approve the purchase.  Commissioner Black made the motion with a second by Commissioner Koenig and the motion unanimously passed with a roll call vote.

HANDOUT NO. 04-83-Approve extension of contract with Enterprise Vending for vending services in county buildings, Ivan Frye reporting:  This is a standing contract to provide water, soda and other items.  They have held the same rate for a number of years paying the county 18 percent commission and they are proposing that they would like to lower the commission or increase the price on the items.  It is being asked they be allowed to increase the price in keeping with the market and keep the commission at 18 percent.

Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Humpert.  The vote was unanimously approved with ayes.

HANDOUT NO. 04-84-Acknowledge no bids received for sale of right of way on Cody Road and authorize the County Judge to negotiate with adjacent property owners:  Judge Drees said he wished to make a change in the handout of omitting the word "adjacent" giving the leeway to negotiate with others for the sale.  Commissioner Black approved the motion with the omission; seconded by Commissioner Koenig.  The vote unanimously passed with an aye vote.

HANDOUT NO. 04-85-Authorize the county judge to executive county services agreements upon receipt from various municipalities, Scott Kimmich reporting:  There are a number of communities that have contacted the county and advised of their intent to execute the county services agreement that has been distributed in the packet and to the mayors group.  At least five cities would like to go ahead and execute the agreement before severe weather recognizing that the automotive rates will not kick in until July 1, 2005.  Authorization is being asked so that when cities return the contracts, the judge can execute on the county's behalf.

Commissioner Black asked if a list could be given so the public would know what the five cities are.  Judge Drees said the mayor of Lakeside had already signed, Crestview Hills will be signing today or tomorrow, and Independence, Ryland Heights, Crescent Springs, Villa Hills and Kenton Vale have said they will all sign.

Commissioner Humpert made the motion for approval with a second by Commissioner Black.  Upon roll call, the motion was unanimously approved.

Executive Orders

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 04-108-Approve procedures for emergency operations plan:  Mr. Kimmich said this order acknowledges that there is an emergency plan in place acknowledged by the fiscal court as a governing document in the event an emergency does exist.

Commissioner Koenig moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Black.  The motion was unanimously approved with the vote of aye.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 04-109-Resignation of Sam Christy from the Kenton County Golf Course, effective December 10, 2004:  Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Black.  Motion was unanimously approved with an aye vote.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 04-110-Appointment of Joe Shriver as Deputy Chief of Staff for the Judge Executive's office, effective December 14, 2004:  Commissioner Black moved for approval; seconded by Commissioner Humpert.  Upon roll call, the motion was unanimously approved.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 04-111-Termination of various seasonal employees from the county golf courses, effective December 14, 2004:  Commissioner Koenig moved for approval with a second by Commissioner Black.  The motion was unanimously approved with an aye vote.

Citizens Address

There were not any citizens present who wished to address the court.

Administrative Reporting

DEPUTY JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Nothing else to report.

TREASURER-Asked for approval of budget adjustments that had been passed out to the court.  These are adjustments for needs that have occurred since July.  There is $22,000 of new money being expended for items either under budgeted or the account was different than expected.  The rest are moves from one item to another or bond expenses where a line item was created to pay the various expenses.  The $200,000 adjustment was from acquired emergency management grants.  The ones that are new are for election commissioners and office supplies for the election.  Both water and sewer rates significantly increased after the budget was done for the year and there was not enough money in those line items for the cost.  Another $4,500 was added in parks and recreation for the repair of Doe Run Lake.  Money was under budgeted to pay for insurance at the golf courses.

Judge Drees asked about the $40,000 for the jail site plan.  Mr. Frye said this was a payment that was received from Cincinnati Bell that is spent for improvements and repairs in the jail.

Mr. Kimmich said when the term order is looked at and it shows the term "Contingent Appropriation Reserve for Transfer," it creates the false impression of taking $598,000 from the reserve.  When checks are received for grants, until the revenue balance budgeted is exceeded, the revenue line item is not increased.  The expenditure is taken from reserve recognizing that it is being replenished with outside cash so the reserve is not being depleted by the amount taken.

Commissioner Black asked that on the line item for the election in the amount of $7,500, if this is something that generally increases in a presidential election or is this a one time additional charge.

Mr. Frye said it would be in the budget for the next time.  During absentee voting, two people have to be available all day when they are open and they are paid $100 per day to control the absentee voting on the machine.  They were there for three weeks because there are a certain number of days they have to be open.

Commissioner Koenig asked if there was $100,000 for the building and zoning administration.  Mr. Frye said yes and zero was budgeted because it was anticipated this was being turned over to area planning as of July 1 which did not happen.  We still have to pay them so long as the county is under the current arrangement.  Commissioner Koenig asked if this would stop when the one stop shop is started.  Mr. Frye answered in the affirmative and we would be saving more when this is started.  Mr. Kimmich said that would come before the court on January 11.

Commissioner Koenig also asked about the arts and cultural programs.  Mr. Frye said it is noted that it says parks in the second column and that arts and cultural is a state category.  This is a line item that is in anticipation of a grant and this is a match for that.

Mr. Kimmich asked if this wasn't coming from arts and cultural programs to parks grant projects in the amount of $28,000 and if this is for the door on Doe Run Lake.  Mr. Frye said yes and that this does not have anything to do with arts and cultural, and the reimbursement is anticipated after the gate is installed.

Judge Drees asked for a motion for approval.  The motion was made by Commissioner Humpert; seconded by Commissioner Black.  The motion was unanimously approved following roll call.

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR-Thanked the judge, deputy judge and the court for the new appointment.

POLICE CHIEF, Bill Dorsey-Gave a synopsis for the calendar year and announced the department was under budget.  He also told how the department was aiding cities and fire departments in crime prevention and police help in the county.  A copy of the report was given to the court clerk (attached to the minutes).

Judge Drees said he thought a copy of this report should be sent to the cities because it does show the cities do get a lot of service from the county.

Commissioner Black asked that the report also be sent to the city council members and that it be sent to their homes.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS, Gary Sinclair-There is a seven-man department that works behind the scenes and he gave a report of what the department does for the county to keep it in shape and up and running.  He also said the department was on target with their budget.

Judge Drees said that without Gary the buildings would not be in tiptop shape and that he did a good job.

PUBLIC WORKS, Joe Murphy-Gave an overall view of the department and the work that is done during the year.  He also announced that the department has received rural secondary road money from Senators Jack Westwood in the amount of $150,000 and Damon Thayer in the amount of $75,000 and the county is to receive $855,000 from state funds.  Thus far, the department is operating under budget for the year.

Judge Drees thanked Mr. Murphy for his report and commended the department on a good job.

FLEET MANAGEMENT, Mike McKenney-Gave the report on the department and the jobs they do to keep the county mobile, practically on a 24-hour, 7-day basis.  There is close to a 90 percent efficiency rate in the department and the budget is being closely watched.

Judge Drees thanked him for the report and said he was doing a good job.  Mr. McKenney said all of the billing for the department comes from the Mitchell's Manual or a motor guide that is industry standard so no one will be overcharged.  Judge Drees suggested there be an enclosure with the bills that go out stating from where the charge rates come.

Commissioner Black asked if this report could be sent out to officials with the one from the police department with the rates charged enclosed.  She said she would also like to have a copy of the report.

COMMUNITY SERVICES, Wayne Spiegel-Told the functions of the department in the county and how the public interacts and participates.  The department is within budget and plans to have a good year.

Judge Drees thanked him for the report and commended him for a good job.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, Ed Burk-Said he was close to being under budget and by the end of the year, he expected to be within the budget.  Gave a brief report of the work and programs being done in the department and how they are performed.

Judge Drees said he thought it was also a good idea to make a report to the mayors on the functions of the department and where some of these costs go.

COUNTY JAIL, Terry Carl-Thanked all of the departments that support the jail and said the employees in the jail were doing a great job.  The population is up in the jail and it is very strenuous on employees and to the building.  The budget is running ahead of what it should be.

Judge Drees said the jail's budget expenses being overrun is because of the health issues and this could not be helped and thanked him for his efforts.

Mr. Kimmich said this has been a year of change for everyone and he thought we had some of the best department heads that could be asked for in county government anywhere.  He said he was proud to serve with them and coach the team.  He also said he believes that sometimes the county comes under fire because the public does not understand what county government does; particularly, in a county with 19 cities and we are there for every citizen every day in every way.  Mr. Kimmich said he thought he spoke for the whole team when he said they were pleased to serve as leaders in this administration with this fiscal court and thanked them for the opportunity and the budget given with which to work and to serve the citizens of Kenton County.

Commissioner Humpert said the one year of change was directly attributable to the Judge Executive and from what he could see and hear from people on the street, they all think the Judge is doing a great job.  He also said he wished to compliment the Judge on the great job he is doing.

County Attorney's Report

Attorney Edmondson said he had another amendment to the sexually oriented business ordinance, Ordinance No. 451.10.  This is to clear up ambiguities that are coming about because of further work on the litigation and the hearing that is set.  It does not change any intent but simply makes it more clear.  This is an emergency because this is the last fiscal court meeting of the year and it is set to go into effect on January 1.

Judge Drees asked for a motion of approval that was made by Commissioner Black and seconded by Commissioner Humpert.  There being no further questions, the Judge called for a roll call vote whereupon the motion was unanimously approved.

Commissioners' Reports

COMMISSIONER BLACK-Said she appreciated the department heads and their reports.  This past year has been one of adjustment with new leadership.  There have been some real positive changes and the Judge has instituted many things that will lead to greater efficiency.  The citizens she has talked to appreciate and enjoy the Judge's business sense and willingness to tackle the issues.  She also said she appreciates the opportunity to serve and asked the department heads to convey to their employees that they are appreciated for their hard work.

COMMISSIONER HUMPERT-Agreed with Commissioner Black's report and said he did not have anything to add and said he was pleased with the county's performance this past year.

COMMISSIONER KOENIG-Said he could not say it any better than Commissioner Black and also wanted to thank all of the employees that take care of all the detail work and take care of the public.  He also said he wished everybody a safe and happy holiday season.

JUDGE EXECUTIVE-Said he had enjoyed working with the county and appreciated working with everyone.  He also said he appreciated everyone's comments and the democratic system was all about having disagreements and working through them.  He also said he hopes the next year is as good as the past 11 months have been.

Executive Session

An executive session was not called.

Adjournment

Commissioner Humpert made the motion to adjourn; seconded by Commissioner Black.  The motion was unanimously passed with a vote of aye at 10:55 a.m.