January 5th 2023 Meeting Minutes

PROCEEDINGS FOR THE
TAYLOR COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

The Taylor County Board of Supervisors met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 5th, 2023.

Supervisor Fitzgerald called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Supervisor roll call: Fitzgerald, Watson, Beggs, all present. Also present: Corey Leftwich, Josh Good, Rob Welsch and Justin Savage.

Beggs motioned to approve the minutes from December 29th and January 3rd and approve the agenda for today’s meeting with the amendment to review claims at 9:40 and move the discussion on mileage, poll worker pay rate and work-related injury policy to the end of the meeting, with the addition of a discussion and possible approval of Taylor County Branding and Letterhead. Watson seconded. MC 3-0.

There were no public comments or committee reports. Rob Welsch left the meeting.

Savage advised the Board he was approached about wind energy. He provided the Board with copies of the Wind Turbine Ordinance #37 in advance of any questions that may arise, due to the possibility of amendments being made to the ordinance. The Board advised they don’t have the intention to amend the ordinance at this time.

Savage then provided an overview to the Board of secondary roads to familiarize the Board with current projects, staffing, infrastructure, and equipment. He advised that some of the major factors impacting secondary roads were competing with the private sector and inflation.

Jackie Ewart, Josh Weed and Dana Davis joined the meeting. Justin Savage left the meeting.

Ewart presented on some of the current insurance policies to the Board. The Board was able to ask questions about the crime policy being replaced by public official bonds, and whether the county should continue the coverage. Ewart described how the crime policy works and how it would benefit the county in various scenarios. Watson motioned to keep the crime policy in addition to the public official bonds. Beggs seconded. MC 3-0.

Sheriff Weed presented to the Board for the hiring of Diana Fisher as a part-time jailer/dispatcher at $18.96 per hour. Watson motioned to approve the hiring as described. Beggs seconded. MC 3-0.

Bethany Murphy and Rick Sheley joined the meeting.

The Board discussed the new pay rate for the county for the upcoming fiscal year. There was a lot of back and forth on the amount the Board should approve based on the cost-of-living adjustment and the rate of inflation. The Board advised that they want to use two scenarios for the budget. When budget discussions go forward, they would like to see a scenario for an 8% raise and a 10% raise. The Board will decide upon the final amount once they have reviewed how it impacts the budgets.

Rick Sheley and Josh Good left the meeting. Judy Henry joined the meeting.

The Board reviewed the current status of the health benefits being offered, and whether they want to offer a higher insurance buyout amount or additional contributions from the county to the employees for health, dental and vision insurance. The Board decided to table the discussion until additional information could be obtained on impacts to employees and the county.

The Board reviewed the Resolution 2023-07 for Public Official Bonds. Beggs motioned to approve the resolution as presented. Watson Seconded. MC 3-0.

The Board reviewed the mileage rate reimbursement for Taylor County employees. The current rate is at $0.50 per mile. Beggs motioned to increase the mileage rate to $0.55 effective July 1, 2023. Watson seconded. MC 3-0.

The Board reviewed the poll worker wages which currently stand at $10.00/hour. Leftwich requested an increase to $12.50/hour to potentially grow interest in becoming a poll worker.
Watson motioned to approve the raise as presented. Beggs seconded. MC 3-0.

The Board reviewed the Taylor County Handbook work-related injury policy. The Board advised they wish to table the discussion for now until they hear from the County HR Consultant who can provide further details on how the change will impact the County and employees.

The Board reviewed the Taylor County Branding and Letterhead proposed by Leftwich and Good, with the goal of establishing a brand for Taylor County. Beggs motioned to approve the letterhead, branding and email signature lines as presented for county business. Watson seconded. MC 3-0.

The Board reviewed topics for discussion in future meetings. Watson motioned to adjourn the meeting. Beggs seconded. MC 3-0.

Ronald Fitzgerald, Chairman, Board of Supervisors
Corey Leftwich, Auditor

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