Sam Row proposal denied
Commissioners refuse to sign agreement
Cathy May - Contributing Writer

Pam Sander, Ripley County's Economic Development Director, along with several members of the board, Kris Schneider, Ed Armbrecht and Sue Meisberger, appeared before the Ripley County Commissioners to ask them to sign the 2006 Inter-Local agreement between the parties giving Economic Development 12% of the county's EDIT funds. Sander said the total EDIT shares for the county in 2006 will be $1,160,218.

The Commissioners refused to sign the agreement. President Bob Reiners said that their representative on the Economic Development Board sent them a letter and asked that they not sign the agreement. "There seems to be a lot of turnover and disarray in the organization right now," said Reiners, who added, "and with Batesville pulling out we would like to see what you guys do at your next meeting. We would also like to see a copy of your budget."

Schneider said, "With the pull out of Batesville, we will have to have a stronger economic development board for the rest of the county. Now is not the time for the county to pull out." Armbrecht, who is also on the board for the County Council, mentioned the money (for Economic Development) is already in the county's 2006 budget.

The Commissioners would not sign the agreement until they have further information on the future status of the Economic Development Board.

The Commissioners said no to a proposal by Planning Commission president Sam Row asking for control of the Building Department. Row, speaking on behalf of the Planning Commission, said the state ordinance puts the office of the Planning Director under the supervision of the Planning Commission but puts the Building Department under the supervision of the Ripley County Commissioners. This has lead to turmoil between the two departments.

Row suggested that to fix the problem, the building inspector be put under the guidance and direction of the Planning Commission. Ripley County Commission president Bob Reiners said, "I do not want to give up control of the building inspector." Row replied, "Then take him (the building inspector) out of our budget and get him out of our office so there is not this turmoil. The way it's structured right now doesn't work. He's (Tad Brinson, planning director) telling Duebber (Ron Duebber, who is the building inspector), what to do and he has no authority to do so."

Reiners said he was well aware of the situation and they had given Duebber both written and verbal warnings. Row answered that he receives calls every week and he has issued verbal and written warnings too. Reiners said the commissioners would stay on top of the situation and all of the commissioners agreed not to give up control of the Building Department.