The Marshall County Commissioners discussed a proposed upcoming work session with the Marshall County Council.
Commissioner Kevin Overmyer commented that he received an email from Auditor Angie Birchmeier of a work session with the Marshall County Council for Monday, February 20 following the regular meeting of the commissioners. He said he will not be available at the proposed time for the session as he has an appointment and he was not consulted concerning a possible work session. Commissioner Michael Burroughs will likely not be available that day as it was mentioned that he will have a medical procedure a few days prior to the meeting date.
Overmyer questioned a few topics of discussion tentatively set for the work session. Health insurance, American Rescue Plan Act funds and municipal advisors were just a few items Overmyer highlighted and directed his questions to Commission President Stan Klotz.
Overmyer stated, “Some of the things on here – health insurance, that is a commissioner’s item. ARPA process is defined by the federal government. It is the commissioner’s plan that goes to the county council. And I guess my question is what is a municipal advisor?”
Klotz responded, “I can’t answer that.”
“Then why are we having a work session?” asked Overmyer.
“I can’t answer that,” replied Klotz. “I know there’s been municipal advisors. You’ll have to ask the council on that.”
There was a presentation by a resident during the last Marshall County Council meeting looking at unspent funds by Township Trustees, Advisory Boards and Library Boards and asked why that tax money is not being spent. Overmyer said he spoke with Union Township Trustee Marlene Mahler who explained, in her case, money is being saved for certain large purchases such as ambulances and fire trucks.
Overmyer commented, “They have to send an asset management report to State Board of Accounts explaining why they have that money in their Fire and EMS funds. Marlene told me that every five years they have to get a new ambulance to swap that equipment out, and every seven years they do the fire trucks. So, yeah, they have a lot of money, but they’re planning ahead and instead of having to bond it they can pay cash for it.”
Klotz said the county cannot touch township funds by statute so any discussions on that would “be a waste of time”.
The Marshall County Council members have the work session as a discussion topic for their Thursday night meeting.
