The Ripley County Commissioners issued a burn ban for all of Ripley County at the regular meeting on Monday, October 4. An exception was made for the Versailles State Park due to the lateness of the year and safety measures already in place.

According to the proclamation signed by the commissioners the following activities are prohibited effective immediately:
• Campfire and other recreational fires.

• Open burning of any kind using conventional fuel such as wood or other combustible matter with the exception of grills fueled by charcoal or propane.

• The burning of debris such as timber or vegetation including debris from building construction.

• The use of burn barrels for any open burning at residential structures.

Further information on the burn ban can be found on the county website at: www.ripleycounty.com.

Brad Samples from MainSource Insurance explained the increase in premiums for the employee health insurance. According to Samples, there was an increase in participation in both health insurance and dental insurance.

Currently, the county pays a flat rate of 83% for the employee health insurance according to Samples. He noted that he has been working with Humana in order to lower the premiums to the quoted price. He will continue to work with the county auditor to resolve the situation.

In other business, John Ertel presented the findings regarding the drainage issue filed by Margaret Lamb. The motion to accept the findings was unanimously approved. The next step will be to contact the neighbor named in the complaint regarding cleanup and costs.

All commissioners were in attendance along with county auditor Bill Wagner and county attorney Neil Comer to advise. The next meeting will be on Monday, October 18 beginning at 7 a.m. at the Ripley County Garage in Osgood and reconvening at 8 a.m. at the courthouse annex in Versailles.