Beth Rumsey
Staff Writer

Prentha Cochran of PC Recovery was on hand to explain the invoices received by the county at the regular commissioner meeting held on Monday, June 15. According to Commissioner President Robert Reiners, the current invoicing format is difficult to understand.

Cochran explained how the invoice shows the original charge, the savings to the county, and then her portion of the savings, which is 50%. The commissioners reminded Cochran that the county will only pay for those savings that have occurred.

She also explained that there will be charges billed to the county after the two year contract is up in 2010. According to Cochran, the county will be billed 24 months after the savings occurred. For example, if a savings first occurred in July 2009, the billing will continue until 2011.

Since the county first hired PC Recovery in 2008, Cochran has discovered several charges that the county should not have paid. This includes phone lines that were no longer in use; federal and state tax charges; and has made recommendations for additional savings on services.

Ripley County Coroner Ron Buchanan requested the commissioners consider an ordinance regarding charges for autopsy requests from the insurance companies; requests for photos; and for testifying in court. Buchanan also noted that if an out of county patient dies and the coroner accepts the case, then Ripley County can bill the county where the patient was a resident for the cost of the autopsy. This is according to a law that was passed in 2003.

In other business:

• The commissioners unanimously accepted the quote from Hughes Tree Service to trim several trees around the courthouse.

• The motion to get quotes from the trimming of trees at the Ripley County Fairground Park for the safety of the public was approved unanimously.

• The motion to accept the de-escalation in prices contract from Terry Materials was unanimously approved.

All commissioners were in attendance along with county auditor Mary Ann McCoy to record the minutes and county attorney Neil Comer to advice. The next meeting will be held on Monday, June 29 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Garage in Osgood and reconvening at 8 a.m. at the commissioners’ room in the courthouse annex.