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flesh and one in the machine.
Um, so we will start with commission

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updates.
If anybody have anything they'd like to

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add or discuss or bring up.
>> I'll I'll start. Um, whatever you do,

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find a way to avoid the flu. It is not a
nice friend.

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» That's the whole thing. I don't really
have I can't remember it yesterday.

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» Basically, it's been it's been pretty
intense.

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» I'm sorry. Hopefully, you get better.

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» Commissioner, anything?
>> I think the only thing I update on today

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is the LD 2158, the legisl Oh, sorry. LD
2158, the legislation that will allow

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our budget committee to um appoint will
allow the commission to appoint one new

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member to our budget committee and then
allow the budget committee to convene

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and uh vote in their other members has
been signed by the governor. It was an

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emergency piece of legislation. So once
it was signed by the governor, it is

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immediately lost, which is great news
and we can go forward with our budget

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convening and have a 2026 budget, which
uh I just want to acknowledge also how

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incredibly stressful it has been for the
staff and the county and the towns uh to

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be operating with so much uncertainty.
And I'm just really happy that we can

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address that right away and uh as soon
as we can. So uh that's the the good

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news there.
>> Um other legis

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um
a bill to fund the county jails that's

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going through the legislature now. I
think it's going to be in front of the

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uh finance committees.
um coming up that would give the jails

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an extra all the jails across the
counties in the state an extra $8

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million.
Uh which would be nice. Almost all of

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the counties are dipping in reserve
funds to make ends meet in the jails

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because uh we're trying to keep it from
being put on the backs of the taxpayers.

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But jails are costing more and more
every county across the state. We're no

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different than everybody else. And so
the extra money would be nice to have.

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Um, another bill is
related to that is they want to put

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together a study committee that will
over the next two years study the jails

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in the counties and see if there's
something that the state should be

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doing. Are we organized correctly? Is
there a different way to organize the

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jails to see if there's uh a better way
to deliver the service? And I think what

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they want to do is look at jails in
county jails across the United States

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and see if there's any other models that
we could be adopting. So I think they're

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putting together a study committee for
that. Um we don't know exactly where

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that stands, but we think that'll pass.
And then um my understanding as far as

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the deeds goes is the uh 1% that the
state was going to take from the real

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estate transfer tax has been defeated.
But that doesn't mean they're not trying

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to find something else taking money. So
we'll keep an eye on that.

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Keep fighting that. But other than that,
there's nothing else.

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» A question about the funding for jails.
Would that be $500,000 to each county or

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is it distributed based on population or
>> there's a formula that they use that has

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something to do with prisoners and
valuation and a whole bunch of other

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things that they already use. I would
imagine that they would just put this on

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top of what they already have and so we
would get a small portion,

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you know, but every hundred,000 or every
200,000 would help.

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Thank you.
>> The next is public comment. Is there

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anyone who would like to address the
issue,

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» please? Hey, I'm Donald Gell. I'm chair
of the budget committee in the town of

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Washington. Now that the budget
committee has it, the county budget

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committee has a forum. Could you tell me
what the next process and how that

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budget process will work so that the
public uh both from the municipal side

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and the public in general can can attend
meetings and have some input into the

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draft county budget that I see is it's
been defined

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today. How where did that draft budget
come from?

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» What's the county budget process going
forward?

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Um, we're still working through this.
Uh, our part, the commission's part is

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the budget is brought to us basically by
administration. Administration has been

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working through the needs for the year.
Um, we'll try to keep it down as much as

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they possibly can. They will bring that
to the commission and we will uh, we've

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already looked at it a little bit. We
will basically just adopt it at that

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point. um unless there's something
that's glaring on it. The next step is

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the uh county budget committee has not
yet met the have a quorum. Uh we have to

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appoint somebody to that and we will do
that either in another week or two weeks

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somewhere in this time period. They have
to because there's a series of members,

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they all have to get together and meet
on their schedule. Once they've got a

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quorum, they will then appoint the other
members to the committee. Uh once they

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have that meeting uh where they have
members then we will sit down with the

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schedule of going over the budget
because at that point the budget

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committee is the one who works on the
budget and the budget committee will

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develop what they think is the best
budget. It may be exactly the same as

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the uh budget we give them or it may
have some changes.

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uh after probably a series of four or
maybe five meetings with different

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departments that are all open to the
public, uh they will come up with a

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budget that will be sent out to the
towns for the towns to have a minimum of

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10 days to look at it and then there'll
be a public hearing based on that budget

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and then the budget committee will
either adopt it or make changes at that

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point and then the commission can either
just let it go at that point where if we

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want to make changes, as long as we vote
on it unanimously, we can override

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something that the budget committee does
and if the budget committee doesn't like

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it, they can then override what we say.
So, it is a process. We don't have all

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the dates at this point and all of the
process once it's out there will be um

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hopefully all those dates will be on the
county's website uh so everybody knows

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and knows what departments being
discussed. All of the meetings are

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public. I think there's a public
hearing, as a matter of fact, before

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they adopt that first budget. Um, so
there's going to be a series of

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different meetings. We just don't have
the dates yet,

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but those are available, will be
available.

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So, you're looking at probably 30, 60,
90 days out before you finally get a a a

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public hearing for the budget itself.
Um, no. I think we will probably have a

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public hearing uh right away
>> within the next two or three weeks and

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then there'll be when we finally finish
the process which will probably be um

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certainly over 30 days but less than 60.
Uh we will have another public hearing

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on that final budget that the commission
the committee has put together. Okay.

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» Thank you.

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Anybody else wishing to address the
commission?

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Seeing there's none, we'll move on to
the the regular part of the agenda. And

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the regular part of the agenda includes
uh routine business. Um the agenda,

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which is what we have here. I don't know
that there's anything we want to add to

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the agenda, so I think that's okay. Uh
department head reports. Thank you all

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very much for the four reports we've
gotten. Payroll and expense warrants and

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reserve withdrawals.
May I hear a motion?

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» Second.
>> It's been and seconded. Thank you. Uh

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any discussion on any of these?

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Seeing as there's none, I'll call the
vote. All those in favor?

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» Yep. Three in favor, none opposed. Now
we can get to the discussion items where

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we'll talk about some of these things.
Uh the first one is the adoption of the

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two 2026 draft budget for the budget
committee.

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» Yay. Um I'm going to go out of order
because I believe

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the grant language.
>> Yeah, I did. I sure did.

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» I sure did. Um, I think going to number
C then B then A makes more sense because

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those all affect the 206
adoption of that funding.

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» So, we're going to start with C, which
is the grant language and acceptance of

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the LEPC and EMPG grants. These are
grants through EMA. Um

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based on the approval or misapproval,
we'll have a final updated budget for

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the commission to adopt um to provide to
the budget committee.

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And the director is here if you have any
questions. Um and I think in your packet

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is all the language from both grants.
>> How much

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money we talking about?
One question I wasn't prepared for. I

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believe it's 68,000.

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The EMPG was 68885,
something like that. The uh LEPC was

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two pieces. the 6,000 something for
um

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wages for one of my employees and then
around 7,000 that goes directly to fire

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departments to pay for hazmat training.

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Now, my understanding is having read
through these that the uh since these

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are Department of Homeland Security
grants that are doled out to the uh EMAs

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across the country, includes the uh main
emergency management agency.

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They have changed the wording because of
court cases. So, it no longer obligates

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the county or the recipient uh to
administer federal law in terms of

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immigration statutes.
And so, as long as the court cases hold,

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uh then these are perfectly fine.
If the court cases get overthrown, then

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we're back potentially to the original
word,

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» except that the state has the right to
withdraw.

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So, we we wouldn't have to then follow
that language,

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» right? But it would put us back where we
were before is the money we've spent we

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have to return back to the federal
government.

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» So, it would impact the the budget that
way, too.

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» Yes. But in the meantime, we are clear
of the uh ownorous

140
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requirements that were put in there
before.

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» Great. Sounds good.
>> We have any uh information on the

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process of of court uh situation with
this bill?

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I haven't heard anything else at this
point. There there's a preliminary one

144
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has a preliminary injunction against it.
The other one has a permanent injunction

145
00:12:53,279 --> 00:12:59,920
against it. But that means that they're
both available for still working its way

146
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through the courts.
I have not heard that the federal

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government has appealed any of them yet.
>> Okay. Um, and so if we okay them, uh,

148
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they would go into our budget. Um, but
then if for some reason they get turned

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around and the language comes back, we
will certainly have to, uh, return the

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monies. So, it's a it's a gamble, I
guess, but I think I believe the state

151
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is very strong about making sure that
wording that they originally tried does

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not go through. So, I'm in favor of
okaying these uh and

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rolling the dice a bit.
>> Correct.

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Um if we are in the position to have to
return funding and will not be able to

155
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uh use federal funding to cover these
this money or you know these um

156
00:14:04,079 --> 00:14:12,720
expenses.
Do we have any

157
00:14:08,399 --> 00:14:18,000
uh funding in reserves that we could tap
to cover this if we find ourselves in

158
00:14:15,440 --> 00:14:22,360
that position at the very minimum for
what we would have already spent?

159
00:14:23,360 --> 00:14:30,399
We always hope, but this is not the year
I think to to take that risk. I will say

160
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something um Candace and I chatted about
this is a grant for 2025 through October

161
00:14:33,760 --> 00:14:41,519
of 26. So by the time we right so we're
already about six months in yeah to it

162
00:14:39,839 --> 00:14:46,959
already um and I can't remember which
one we we shared this with but uh by the

163
00:14:45,279 --> 00:14:51,839
time any kind of court case goes through
and it gets over to we're looking at the

164
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26 27 cycle is probably when we're going
to have to be a little bit more

165
00:14:53,279 --> 00:15:00,720
concerned about that happening in in my
opinion. Um, yeah, because that all

166
00:14:57,839 --> 00:15:05,760
takes time and we're already well into
this grant year to the point where if

167
00:15:02,880 --> 00:15:11,760
these are not approved, 20 budget would
be short in EMA about $30,000,000ish.

168
00:15:10,399 --> 00:15:18,000
» Yeah.
And and so

169
00:15:14,639 --> 00:15:23,120
any court decision, say we are in the 26
27 year before anything theoretically

170
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flips back,
>> um

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will we have to pay back all the way
back to 2025 to the federal government?

172
00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:38,160
» There's no way to know that for sure.
I'm sure that would get haggled out with

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the various states that are in the
lawsuits.

174
00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:49,040
That would be a good question, but I
didn't know if they had already

175
00:15:45,040 --> 00:15:55,360
discussed that. And is it So, the state
divies up that money. So, if this So, if

176
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this did get overturned, the state would
have a lot of work to do.

177
00:15:56,880 --> 00:16:01,920
» Yes.
>> To try and get that. So, that's kind of

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our carrot that we're hoping
is uh I mean, it's it's it's definitely

179
00:16:04,320 --> 00:16:09,000
a small risk, I'll say. Um,

180
00:16:09,199 --> 00:16:16,000
» okay. That's I just wanted us to be
really clear on,

181
00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:19,680
you know, how far back this goes. If we
know, we don't know

182
00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:24,360
» what just what the general implications
are.

183
00:16:21,360 --> 00:16:24,360
» Yeah.

184
00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:34,240
» Director Richards, how important did
these grants for budget?

185
00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:42,160
» They are incredibly important. with the
EMPG in particular because it directly

186
00:16:37,839 --> 00:16:47,600
offsets my budget for that budget year
up to that amount. It's 50%

187
00:16:44,959 --> 00:16:53,440
reimbursement up to that amount which
offsets all of our wages and stuff in

188
00:16:50,079 --> 00:16:57,279
EMA. So since this grant should have
started back on October 1st of last

189
00:16:55,600 --> 00:17:02,880
year,
that's why the 25 budget would when they

190
00:17:00,880 --> 00:17:08,000
go to do the audit that we are going to
be underfunded for last year

191
00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:13,520
significantly and then this year would
also be negatively impacted to the point

192
00:17:11,919 --> 00:17:19,520
where we would have to figure out where
to make cuts because the majority of my

193
00:17:16,079 --> 00:17:23,559
budget is wages and benefits.
It's a small department

194
00:17:26,959 --> 00:17:36,000
» and the so the other the alternative
would be to increase your budget for the

195
00:17:33,679 --> 00:17:44,960
regular budget committee and regular
taxes and prefer not to do that at this

196
00:17:40,000 --> 00:17:53,360
time of course. Um, so I guess I have to
I have to again lean on okaying

197
00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:58,160
accepting the funds um you know and and
uh think that um the right things will

198
00:17:56,559 --> 00:18:03,400
be done in the courts if they even
challenge it which they haven't yet and

199
00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:03,400
go forward.

200
00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:10,320
» I'll make one other observation. We are
making the assumption that if it came to

201
00:18:07,760 --> 00:18:16,640
us with the old wording that we would
vote it down. We have not taken a vote

202
00:18:13,120 --> 00:18:21,120
on that. There's no reason to to jump
the gun and say we would definitely uh

203
00:18:19,440 --> 00:18:24,880
turn it down if it came in with
different language. We've never taken a

204
00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:30,240
vote on that. And I don't want to make
an assumption that that's how we would

205
00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:34,720
vote if it came to us. But in the
meantime, you know, I think I would not

206
00:18:32,960 --> 00:18:38,960
be surprised if there are some counties
that would take it with that word.

207
00:18:37,440 --> 00:18:43,919
» Whether the state would accept it or
not, I don't know.

208
00:18:41,679 --> 00:18:48,240
It might be that the state would just
turn it back rather than wait for the

209
00:18:46,240 --> 00:18:51,760
towns or the counties to turn it back.
But in the meantime, we shouldn't be

210
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making the assumption that we will be
sending it right back.

211
00:18:54,880 --> 00:19:00,960
That's a different calculus to make at
that point if it's worth whatever the

212
00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:04,080
new wording would be. Uh that we're
still willing to go along with it. In

213
00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:07,280
the meantime, that's not what's on the
table. What's on the table is the

214
00:19:05,600 --> 00:19:12,320
current wording. And with the current
wording, I don't see any reason why we

215
00:19:08,960 --> 00:19:16,799
would say no.
I don't

216
00:19:13,039 --> 00:19:20,880
» you would like
>> um

217
00:19:19,039 --> 00:19:26,480
I think I think we want to put that
aside um as part of the regular budget

218
00:19:24,080 --> 00:19:30,160
process rather than do that now because
we'd have to add it to the agenda and I

219
00:19:28,799 --> 00:19:34,679
don't know that we need to add it to the
agenda at this point. We'll just assume

220
00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:42,400
» don't you have your copy of the agenda?

221
00:19:44,960 --> 00:19:51,679
Yeah. So then you wanted to do B next.
>> B next.

222
00:19:50,160 --> 00:19:57,520
» Yeah. Get all the hard stuff out of the
way.

223
00:19:53,520 --> 00:20:04,000
» Um so B is prioritizing the schedule CPI
and step adjustments for the 2026

224
00:19:59,840 --> 00:20:09,600
budget. This I believe was an agenda
item at the end of last year in maybe

225
00:20:06,400 --> 00:20:12,880
November or December's agenda. Um it's
been tabled a few times. We are waiting

226
00:20:11,200 --> 00:20:20,880
to get to this point where we know we
have a 2026 budget. Um again, not a

227
00:20:17,200 --> 00:20:24,640
formal vote, but the 2026 increases are
included in the budget draft that you

228
00:20:22,559 --> 00:20:28,400
were provided. Um so that is already
included.

229
00:20:26,640 --> 00:20:32,080
I
believe some of the discussion back then

230
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was we were kind of waiting to see how
2025 closed out to see what we have

231
00:20:34,240 --> 00:20:40,799
undesated and just kind of a a net if
you will.

232
00:20:38,000 --> 00:20:45,360
um we don't have that luxury. 2025 is
not closed out. We cannot rely on those

233
00:20:43,120 --> 00:20:50,400
numbers. So, we kind of have to put a
decision on your plate to go off of what

234
00:20:48,080 --> 00:20:53,760
is proposed for 2026.
Um

235
00:20:52,320 --> 00:20:59,720
understanding that some of our und
designated aren't exactly where where we

236
00:20:56,080 --> 00:20:59,720
want them to be.

237
00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:11,280
I think what we want to do is make sure
that all of the employees going back to

238
00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:15,919
the January 1st of 2026
get what they're entitled to by

239
00:21:13,440 --> 00:21:21,039
contracts or by agreements which
includes the the CPI as well as any

240
00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:26,000
steps.
The question is going to be I guess the

241
00:21:22,960 --> 00:21:32,240
board of finance. At what point do we
how do we do it? How do we give it back

242
00:21:28,080 --> 00:21:36,640
to them once the budget is approved? Uh
is it going to be a lump sum? Is it

243
00:21:34,320 --> 00:21:42,400
going to be a
um a figuring that we add to the rest of

244
00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:46,400
the year? Um it would seem that it must
be a probably has to be a lump sum

245
00:21:44,240 --> 00:21:52,159
because we want everything else to not
be the the basis for where they go the

246
00:21:49,440 --> 00:21:56,640
year after this.
So,

247
00:21:52,720 --> 00:22:03,039
» so I I think there's um two questions in
there. Um whenever it is approved to

248
00:22:00,080 --> 00:22:08,159
move forward for the 26 increases
um then it will be retro back to January

249
00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:12,880
1st to make employees whole and it will
happen as soon as the

250
00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:19,120
agreement is made by the commission that
we can forward. I think the um question

251
00:22:16,960 --> 00:22:24,559
that came up and when we were talking
about moving it forward to March was at

252
00:22:22,480 --> 00:22:31,280
that point to review whether we could
move forward now or whether we'd wait

253
00:22:27,679 --> 00:22:39,280
until the 26 budget was approved.
Preliminary figures are closing on 25.

254
00:22:36,159 --> 00:22:45,039
We would have to we you would have to
make the decision based on a 26 budget.

255
00:22:41,600 --> 00:22:51,919
not relying that it would be undesated
in 25 that could cover those changes. Um

256
00:22:50,000 --> 00:22:56,320
especially where it's not just salary
increases in 26, we have a lot of

257
00:22:53,760 --> 00:23:01,600
contract increases that we also need to
cover.

258
00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:08,799
So the question
right now is whether you're agreeable as

259
00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:14,000
a commission to move forward with the
retros to January now. or whether it's

260
00:23:11,760 --> 00:23:20,320
going to pause until we get through the
budget cycle.

261
00:23:17,120 --> 00:23:24,840
» And your recommendation just based on
keeping us solvent would be what?

262
00:23:25,200 --> 00:23:33,120
» I think it is based on whether you as a
commission feel very strongly to support

263
00:23:31,280 --> 00:23:38,640
this as we continue to move forward in
26. Um and understand there is a budget

264
00:23:36,080 --> 00:23:44,080
impact that is presented to the
commission excuse me to the budget

265
00:23:40,320 --> 00:23:48,880
committee. I am saying that from a
undesated perspective

266
00:23:46,799 --> 00:23:52,640
we should not be looking at that where
we're projecting 25 to make that

267
00:23:50,880 --> 00:24:00,360
decision.
if I may. So, are are we then

268
00:23:57,360 --> 00:24:00,360
um

269
00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:08,320
making an creating an incumbrance that
we are forcing on the budget committee

270
00:24:05,520 --> 00:24:11,600
if we approve it ahead of the budget
process?

271
00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:16,640
» Yes.
But it's really no different than where

272
00:24:14,400 --> 00:24:22,240
we have entered into contracts, whether
it be a continuation or whether it be a

273
00:24:19,279 --> 00:24:25,760
builtin 5year that increases every year
that's already built into the 26 that

274
00:24:24,559 --> 00:24:30,000
we're presenting to the budget
committee. Yeah.

275
00:24:26,559 --> 00:24:34,400
» Um so they don't have to approve it.
>> It's in the figures that they will be

276
00:24:31,919 --> 00:24:38,720
approving when I'm speaking about
contracts or whether I even our

277
00:24:36,960 --> 00:24:44,159
insurance for the county that's gone up
substantially. Yeah. um that's part of

278
00:24:42,559 --> 00:24:50,240
numbers that are being presented to
them. So salaries are just another layer

279
00:24:48,320 --> 00:24:56,159
in that that is being presented in the
budget

280
00:24:52,720 --> 00:25:00,960
» for our internal policies. Um I can't
quote it exactly but the commission does

281
00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:04,240
need to approve the CPI step each year
is is kind of how it's written in our

282
00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:07,840
personnel policy and then it does get
kind of flushed out with the budget

283
00:25:05,840 --> 00:25:12,159
committee. Okay. Um but typically that
vote starts with the three of you and

284
00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:17,799
would have been
a normal process right last year as as

285
00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:17,799
part of that

286
00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:28,080
» I'd like to add in in regarding this
that my my stance has always been the

287
00:25:26,240 --> 00:25:34,080
people are the most important thing that
we have working for us and whatever we

288
00:25:31,120 --> 00:25:38,000
can do to make their lives a little bit
easier especially as we've made them

289
00:25:36,159 --> 00:25:41,200
more difficult ult. Uh we didn't
personally do it, but it was it's been a

290
00:25:39,679 --> 00:25:46,960
more difficult time because of the
circumstances. Um I think I think we

291
00:25:44,640 --> 00:25:49,960
should improve it, but that's where I
stand.

292
00:25:52,559 --> 00:26:02,480
» I think I'm not disagreeing in terms of
our ultimate commitment and our uh is to

293
00:25:59,919 --> 00:26:07,200
the employees and they we know that
they're going to get back. The question

294
00:26:04,159 --> 00:26:11,760
is exactly when is it going to happen
soon? Uh which I think puts the whole

295
00:26:10,080 --> 00:26:19,039
process
um in doubt just in case it doesn't

296
00:26:15,279 --> 00:26:23,600
pass. Um there is, you know, where does
the money come from if it isn't already

297
00:26:21,600 --> 00:26:27,600
there? If it isn't coming in through tax
dollars, is this something that

298
00:26:25,440 --> 00:26:35,600
eventually we wind up increasing our tip
spending on? not active spending, our um

299
00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:39,360
tax anticipate anticipation notes, um
our CANS

300
00:26:37,360 --> 00:26:45,279
uh and therefore puts us in a worse
position financially for the county. Um

301
00:26:42,799 --> 00:26:51,200
or if we wait an extra month and we get
the budget passed, then it just becomes

302
00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:56,320
a a natural part of what we're doing. I
would prefer the second just because I

303
00:26:53,840 --> 00:27:00,799
don't want to put us in a financial bind
down the road.

304
00:26:59,279 --> 00:27:05,120
knowing that everybody's going to get
the money. The problem is, you know,

305
00:27:03,679 --> 00:27:10,640
there are people who probably can use
the money now.

306
00:27:08,320 --> 00:27:14,880
And that's where the problem comes in is
how soon do we get them the money, which

307
00:27:12,720 --> 00:27:19,919
is one of the reasons why I want the
budget process to move as fast as it can

308
00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:23,760
once we get it going now that we've got
the approval for the quorum. I want to

309
00:27:22,159 --> 00:27:28,559
see this get going. I don't want to see
us drag this out any longer than we have

310
00:27:25,840 --> 00:27:35,039
to. But I also don't know that I really
want to see us commit to spending money

311
00:27:31,360 --> 00:27:39,520
that we don't have yet. Could we
potentially kind of meet in the middle

312
00:27:36,880 --> 00:27:43,919
with this that our first budget
committee uh meeting to review budgets

313
00:27:42,000 --> 00:27:49,120
that we discuss that with the budget
committee and maybe get a verbal that

314
00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:55,039
they're agreeable to move forward at
that point which could allow us to move

315
00:27:51,919 --> 00:27:58,240
this forward maybe four weeks earlier
than waiting till the end.

316
00:27:56,399 --> 00:28:04,080
» You're a genius. I think that's a great
idea. Yeah.

317
00:28:01,279 --> 00:28:07,440
At
>> least that gives us some backing and we

318
00:28:06,240 --> 00:28:10,399
know that that's the direction we're
going to we don't usually discuss it

319
00:28:08,960 --> 00:28:13,520
that way because we discuss it
department by department

320
00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:16,640
» but we are going to have a beginning
meeting where we discuss a little bit

321
00:28:15,120 --> 00:28:20,000
about the philosophy of what we're
trying to do and how we approve the

322
00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:24,880
budget and what we're allowed to cut and
what we're not. Um so it'll be

323
00:28:22,159 --> 00:28:29,760
appropriate to bring it up then. And if
by some chance the budget committee is

324
00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:32,799
not completely agreeable, then we're
waiting until the budget goes all the

325
00:28:31,200 --> 00:28:38,159
way through, which is maybe another
couple of weeks. But if we can get it in

326
00:28:36,240 --> 00:28:42,399
the beginning when we start in April,
that would be great.

327
00:28:40,960 --> 00:28:43,840
» Sounds good.
>> Agreed.

328
00:28:42,960 --> 00:28:48,520
» You think?
>> I do. Thank you for that compromise.

329
00:28:48,559 --> 00:28:55,600
» Mark, you're happy?
>> I'm happy. Okay. Then we will move on to

330
00:28:53,200 --> 00:29:00,000
the next one which comes to a which is
the adoption of the

331
00:28:57,200 --> 00:29:03,919
» Yes. So based on some conversations
today with the grants and the stepping

332
00:29:02,000 --> 00:29:09,360
in cola, I will present or I will
provide and produce a final um budget

333
00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:15,520
summary that will go to all of the
towns. We will post our budget draft on

334
00:29:11,760 --> 00:29:19,679
the website in the next 24 hours. Um,
and I will get working on our budget

335
00:29:17,520 --> 00:29:23,360
binders for budget committee members and
commissioners to pick up. That's their

336
00:29:21,360 --> 00:29:28,480
tool to use as we go through this budget
process. Um, and then our visual budget

337
00:29:27,039 --> 00:29:34,320
will also be coming out sometime next
week, which is that interactive tool

338
00:29:30,080 --> 00:29:38,159
that anybody can find on. So
once these changes are made that

339
00:29:35,919 --> 00:29:41,919
proposed draft will go out definitely by
the end of the week hoping sometime

340
00:29:39,600 --> 00:29:48,039
tomorrow um again to towns budget
committees will be will be posted on the

341
00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:48,039
website etc etc

342
00:29:48,080 --> 00:29:54,720
» and this is for the towns to understand
that this is really just a draft that is

343
00:29:53,120 --> 00:29:58,640
not even approved by the budget
committee.

344
00:29:56,080 --> 00:30:02,799
» This is not the budget that they'll be
voting. This is the vote the one that

345
00:30:00,720 --> 00:30:05,919
we'll be using as a working document for
them.

346
00:30:03,840 --> 00:30:10,080
» Yeah. But a tool to keep the towns
informed of where we are and our

347
00:30:07,520 --> 00:30:15,200
progress just because of this and then
the towns excuse me

348
00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:17,840
» and we won't know what the schedule is
till after the budget committee's first

349
00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:23,120
meeting
>> most likely. I'm going to try and keep

350
00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:29,120
pulling some strings with them. Um I
have heard a little maybe interest in

351
00:30:25,440 --> 00:30:31,679
doing a Tuesday Thursday schedule. Um,
so I'm going to try and get some more

352
00:30:30,399 --> 00:30:35,120
traction. It looks like the first
meeting of our joint budget to get

353
00:30:33,760 --> 00:30:42,480
everything squared away will be March
31st at 6 PM. So again, I'll put that

354
00:30:38,320 --> 00:30:46,480
out. Uh, and then at that time
we'll finalize that process with them.

355
00:30:44,559 --> 00:30:49,760
Um, but I'll I'll hopefully get some
insight prior so I can at least give

356
00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:53,600
everybody a heads up of when those might
be.

357
00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:57,919
» It may be a lot, but the other option
could be that we just do more at each

358
00:30:56,640 --> 00:31:00,799
meeting. Yep. Yeah.
>> Yep.

359
00:30:58,399 --> 00:31:06,720
» We can't do the twice weekly. That's I
know that's a lot of uh using your brain

360
00:31:04,640 --> 00:31:11,840
» and looking at numbers, but yeah, it
it's I think there's pros and cons to

361
00:31:09,279 --> 00:31:16,399
both, right? I packing it in. I think
it's spot on the brain. We're constantly

362
00:31:14,399 --> 00:31:19,840
talking about it. Questions come up. You
wait a week. You kind of lose some of

363
00:31:17,679 --> 00:31:24,559
that. But it also gives time to ask
questions and follow up. So, I think

364
00:31:21,760 --> 00:31:27,919
that first meeting will be a good good
indication. Yeah. And then even if they

365
00:31:26,640 --> 00:31:33,600
do agree to meet that following
Thursday, we'll probably do our admin,

366
00:31:30,159 --> 00:31:40,600
IT, finance, um, probate, some of the
smaller department to kick it off, be

367
00:31:36,240 --> 00:31:40,600
dive into some meteor ones.

368
00:31:42,000 --> 00:31:47,919
» The next discussion item we have on here
is employee recognition presentation in

369
00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:53,279
a
>> chair. I just want to sorry, one more

370
00:31:50,320 --> 00:31:59,840
question about budget committee. Um, as
I reviewed the budget, um, I did have a

371
00:31:56,880 --> 00:32:05,279
few things that came up and so our
opportunity as commissioners to address

372
00:32:03,279 --> 00:32:11,279
questions and concerns we have is also
during those meetings. Is that correct?

373
00:32:08,399 --> 00:32:18,080
» Yeah. I mean, anytime.
>> Yeah. I mean,

374
00:32:14,480 --> 00:32:20,960
» yeah. is the way it will work is we're
going to be having a joint meeting

375
00:32:19,600 --> 00:32:26,000
between the right
>> budget committee and the commission and

376
00:32:24,320 --> 00:32:30,559
so the departments will be here they
will make their presentation the budget

377
00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:34,320
committee will ask them questions if we
don't get our questions answered then

378
00:32:32,720 --> 00:32:39,440
once the budget committee is done with
their deliberations then we will

379
00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:42,480
ask questions
>> okay

380
00:32:39,760 --> 00:32:48,320
» at that point and then you know we'll
have other ideas at that point but we I

381
00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:53,440
um sort of as a straw
approve our own budget that we have some

382
00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:59,519
idea what we're going to come back to. I
just one of my big concerns is the cost

383
00:32:55,760 --> 00:33:08,159
of fuel and heating oil and just
thinking that uh this budget was um put

384
00:33:05,519 --> 00:33:13,840
together before the president's war in
Iran which has obviously drastically

385
00:33:11,519 --> 00:33:19,360
already increased the price for fuel and
heating oil and who knows what the

386
00:33:16,640 --> 00:33:24,399
future will hold but it that could be a
really significant impact for our budget

387
00:33:22,240 --> 00:33:30,320
um as we have a lot of facilities to
heat and a lot of vehicles to fuel up.

388
00:33:27,120 --> 00:33:34,399
So, um that's just one thing that I want
to be thinking about and I have a couple

389
00:33:32,799 --> 00:33:37,840
of other items that can wait, but I
think that that's really the big one.

390
00:33:36,159 --> 00:33:40,320
» You can certainly bring that up to the
administrator privately.

391
00:33:39,919 --> 00:33:43,919
» Yeah.
>> You know, on your own, okay, at some

392
00:33:41,919 --> 00:33:48,640
point to get the answers and get that
that thinking going behind the scene,

393
00:33:46,399 --> 00:33:54,240
too.
The question on that is we usually do

394
00:33:51,840 --> 00:33:56,159
those as bids
oil.

395
00:33:55,120 --> 00:34:01,200
» Yes.
>> When do those bids go out and when is

396
00:33:58,480 --> 00:34:06,320
the bids that we're working under or are
there um caveats in that whole thing

397
00:34:04,399 --> 00:34:10,480
that says in case of war all bets are
off.

398
00:34:08,000 --> 00:34:17,119
» Um so this year we actually went with
Macau to do our bidding for our game. Um

399
00:34:13,599 --> 00:34:20,399
so maintenance director Jim and I um I
don't know last week finalized those

400
00:34:18,480 --> 00:34:24,240
numbers and what they do is they work
with um I'm assuming they're going to

401
00:34:22,720 --> 00:34:30,720
work with maritime again because they're
one of the best but um costwise um so

402
00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:34,480
they lock in a price and then that's
provided to county and a lot of towns

403
00:34:32,879 --> 00:34:39,280
and the Camden library and a bunch of
other people. So there is a hope that we

404
00:34:37,359 --> 00:34:42,639
will be able to lock in especially when
the county did it we were getting kind

405
00:34:40,800 --> 00:34:47,599
of less and less less and less and
didn't make it as worth it for whatever

406
00:34:44,879 --> 00:34:50,720
vendor we were going with. Um, so now
MCO has taken it over and they work with

407
00:34:49,280 --> 00:34:53,919
all the towns, all the smaller
nonprofits, the county. Um,

408
00:34:52,480 --> 00:34:57,440
» they work with the schools too.
>> Yes.

409
00:34:55,119 --> 00:35:01,280
» We did previously. So what I did is I
just gave the list that we worked with

410
00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:04,400
right to Max and Pog and he reached out
to everybody. So he's taking that over.

411
00:35:03,119 --> 00:35:08,240
So I'm hopeful just with their
credibility and all of that that we will

412
00:35:06,320 --> 00:35:15,200
be able to lock something in soon. That
should be April that April, May. So

413
00:35:12,000 --> 00:35:19,200
we'll know shortly. Um, not that that
helps answer your question, but just so

414
00:35:17,359 --> 00:35:25,200
you understand the process. Yeah, that
was for planning works. Yes,

415
00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:29,200
» you guess my concern is still the
conversation you had on you guys that

416
00:35:27,040 --> 00:35:34,000
had last commissioners meeting where
most of us are having our warrant

417
00:35:31,680 --> 00:35:38,800
articles and ballots printed prior to
you um really getting into your budget

418
00:35:37,119 --> 00:35:43,200
process. I know the plumary work has
been done. Um, and last budget there was

419
00:35:41,760 --> 00:35:48,000
a lot of conversation on the floor about
adding this and adding that and

420
00:35:46,160 --> 00:35:51,520
you know it's where's the cap and
where's it coming down for us to be able

421
00:35:49,599 --> 00:35:57,119
to know like you can't come back to us
and say we need another 50 $60,000 and

422
00:35:54,720 --> 00:36:01,920
in August where you were debating last
meeting about adding offices this

423
00:35:59,680 --> 00:36:05,760
whatever the topic was how do you get to
the top and then work and have the

424
00:36:04,079 --> 00:36:09,839
discussion and bring it down or leave it
there but we're budgeting at the top end

425
00:36:07,760 --> 00:36:14,400
versus somewhere we're trying They say,
"Okay, we have to cut something locally

426
00:36:12,000 --> 00:36:20,160
to make our asses contribution to the
county, which would be devastating."

427
00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:28,800
I would I'd make the observation that
we're um between us and the

428
00:36:25,280 --> 00:36:33,520
uh budget committee, the chances of us
adding anything to what we get from the

429
00:36:31,520 --> 00:36:38,560
administration are going to be pretty
slim to none. Um, that's the point of

430
00:36:36,320 --> 00:36:42,160
the budget committee in most cases is to
make sure we don't go over and I don't

431
00:36:40,079 --> 00:36:46,720
think that they will be adding anything.
They did a little bit when we had ARPA

432
00:36:44,079 --> 00:36:50,400
funding. They would throw things at they
say, "Oh, look, we've got more money,

433
00:36:48,720 --> 00:36:56,240
but we don't have that opportunity and
we don't have that luxury now." So, I'm

434
00:36:53,040 --> 00:37:00,720
pretty sure whatever we administration
develops for numbers, uh, is going to be

435
00:36:59,200 --> 00:37:07,760
our top. Okay?
>> And it's not going to go above that. um

436
00:37:05,359 --> 00:37:11,760
if it does then then you know the whole
process is skewed and so I don't think

437
00:37:10,000 --> 00:37:14,720
we're going to do that and we know and
that's going to be one of the problems

438
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:18,960
we have that we're going to discuss with
the budget committee is even if there's

439
00:37:17,119 --> 00:37:22,240
a temptation to add we don't have the
money and we won't be able to get we're

440
00:37:20,880 --> 00:37:28,079
not going to be able to squeeze more
money out of the towns after the fact.

441
00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:32,880
Uh, so what we give you or what the
administration sends out in that first

442
00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:36,040
draft budget will be as high as it's
going to go.

443
00:37:36,480 --> 00:37:41,280
Does that help answer?
>> It does. Yeah.

444
00:37:39,920 --> 00:37:45,839
» Because I can't imagine we're going to
go more than that.

445
00:37:42,960 --> 00:37:52,400
» Yeah. Just like, you know, we're sitting
here thinking about um how we get enough

446
00:37:49,760 --> 00:37:58,800
money to pay our employees what they're
due. Uh we're not going to overspend

447
00:37:56,400 --> 00:38:02,000
just to make that happen. We're not
going to overspend to make the budget go

448
00:38:00,400 --> 00:38:07,640
up any more than what it already is
because it's already too high.

449
00:38:04,640 --> 00:38:07,640
» Yeah.

450
00:38:08,560 --> 00:38:15,359
Any other questions on the budget while
Mark?

451
00:38:11,839 --> 00:38:18,640
» Just add one thing. Um
been a member of the Camden budget

452
00:38:16,880 --> 00:38:24,000
committee for a number of years. This is
my last year. So finishing that while I

453
00:38:21,359 --> 00:38:30,560
take on this responsibility and I know
the anxiety about the numbers and you

454
00:38:28,000 --> 00:38:35,119
know having to get it all done and we
need to expedite the county budget as

455
00:38:32,640 --> 00:38:40,400
quickly as we can so that all the towns
do have the final numbers and that's our

456
00:38:38,320 --> 00:38:45,119
that's our main responsibility right now
I think just getting it done and getting

457
00:38:42,960 --> 00:38:49,040
it to you so we can do it properly and
knowing that in this incredibly

458
00:38:47,119 --> 00:38:53,839
difficult year which is becoming more
difficult. We're just going to have to

459
00:38:50,720 --> 00:38:59,960
live with what we come up with. And it's
it's going to be a tough year, but we

460
00:38:55,920 --> 00:38:59,960
have to be prepared for that.

461
00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:15,359
» And we will move on to
which is the employee recognition.

462
00:39:12,480 --> 00:39:19,280
» Okay. I'm just putting this uh in your
brains that in April we will have an

463
00:39:17,040 --> 00:39:24,839
employee.
Um,

464
00:39:20,960 --> 00:39:24,839
we'll recognize employees.

465
00:39:31,599 --> 00:39:38,640
» Um, so yeah, just making you all aware
that anyone we will have employee

466
00:39:35,119 --> 00:39:43,280
recognition uh presentation. Looks like
there's about six employees that will

467
00:39:40,079 --> 00:39:48,640
recognize. Uh this is a committee that's
been left over for years and years and a

468
00:39:46,640 --> 00:39:52,800
small fun project I hope to tackle in
the next year or two um about our

469
00:39:51,040 --> 00:39:57,200
employee recognition. But right now what
we're doing is providing extra vacation

470
00:39:54,720 --> 00:40:02,640
days as a thank you. Um so we'll go
ahead and do that in April. Um everybody

471
00:39:59,760 --> 00:40:06,160
will be invited their supervisor etc. So
just want to make sure everybody's

472
00:40:03,839 --> 00:40:10,960
prepared for that. Um, and actually have
the list.

473
00:40:08,880 --> 00:40:14,960
Um, and if anybody can't make that
presentation, if you want to send a note

474
00:40:13,599 --> 00:40:19,160
or something that I can read on your
behalf, I'd be happy to do that.

475
00:40:21,440 --> 00:40:28,880
» I think it's appropriate. We need to put
as many of those kinds of things into

476
00:40:26,320 --> 00:40:33,599
place on a regular basis. One of the
problems we've had over the last few

477
00:40:30,480 --> 00:40:37,200
years is we do these things on a
inconsistent

478
00:40:35,119 --> 00:40:42,079
basis. It would be good to have some
consistency between that and whether

479
00:40:40,079 --> 00:40:47,200
it's a 10 year recognition or five year
recognition recognition for a job well

480
00:40:44,640 --> 00:40:51,520
done. We need to come up with something
consistent.

481
00:40:49,119 --> 00:40:56,240
» We also only recognize increments of
five. So 5 10 15 20 for the year prior.

482
00:40:54,720 --> 00:41:01,599
So, these are people that have hit a
5year commencement anniversary in 2025.

483
00:40:59,680 --> 00:41:06,000
So, again, the whole thing needs to be
revamped. We're well aware of that. It's

484
00:41:03,520 --> 00:41:09,599
just been lovely, unfortunately. Um, but
we still want to bring them to the

485
00:41:07,200 --> 00:41:13,160
commission to present, you know,
recognize some

486
00:41:13,200 --> 00:41:18,079
» ready for E.
>> Yes.

487
00:41:14,560 --> 00:41:23,440
» Okay. So, public safety coordinator. Um,
in the budget, there is a page titled

488
00:41:20,800 --> 00:41:29,440
miscellaneous. Those are uh individuals
or nonprofits that we fund. MCOG being

489
00:41:27,200 --> 00:41:33,839
one of them. We just discussed that. Um
another one being the Knox County Mutual

490
00:41:31,119 --> 00:41:38,720
Aid Association. Um this year on top of
their request for funds from the county,

491
00:41:35,920 --> 00:41:45,920
they also requested a specific position
to be funded by the county. The proposal

492
00:41:42,880 --> 00:41:50,720
was for a fire commissioner, I believe.
Um so what we did was we worked with the

493
00:41:48,960 --> 00:41:55,280
mutual aid association. We worked with
the Eboard. We worked with some of the

494
00:41:52,400 --> 00:42:01,200
chiefs. Um, we have an internal
position. It's titled public safety

495
00:41:58,319 --> 00:42:06,000
technology coordinator. This position is
vital in making sure that our dispatch

496
00:42:03,119 --> 00:42:10,480
center stays running, all towers stay in
in service and doing what they're doing.

497
00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:13,599
Technology needs are met. Um, amongst a
lot of other things. They also go out

498
00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:16,880
into the towns and help them make sure
that their radios are hooked up

499
00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:20,880
appropriately, helping with new hire
training, coordinating training with

500
00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:26,319
EMA, helping looking right, all all
sorts of things. Um, so all we did was

501
00:42:23,359 --> 00:42:29,760
slightly update that job description to
be more in line with what the request

502
00:42:28,160 --> 00:42:34,480
from the mutual aid association was,
which was more somebody more focused on

503
00:42:31,839 --> 00:42:38,720
kind of fire coordination and training.
Um,

504
00:42:36,319 --> 00:42:44,319
this is no budgetary impact. This is
just kind of a change in essential

505
00:42:41,280 --> 00:42:49,520
duties. It's a more town focused or town
centered position. Um, and we hope to I

506
00:42:47,680 --> 00:42:54,640
think training and resources are the top
two goals for all of our municipalities.

507
00:42:52,319 --> 00:42:59,839
Um, we weren't sure if we were going to
be able to do this, but we were and

508
00:42:57,200 --> 00:43:03,760
we're slowly kind of trickling out uh
some of these some of these requests

509
00:43:01,680 --> 00:43:08,079
from the mutual aid association showing
schemes for structure fires and things

510
00:43:05,359 --> 00:43:14,319
like that. So, this position is is
slowly getting getting ramped up. Um

511
00:43:12,880 --> 00:43:18,319
I'm trying to think of anything else I
can share about this role.

512
00:43:18,079 --> 00:43:23,680
» No,
>> and it's a work in progress, right? So

513
00:43:20,319 --> 00:43:30,960
» it seems like Billy is taking a position
that was already in flux from the last

514
00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:36,400
few years. The the position of um what
did you call it? public safety

515
00:43:33,359 --> 00:43:41,040
technology coordinator was a fairly new
position to start off with, only a year

516
00:43:38,560 --> 00:43:47,280
or two old and it was evolving as it
was. So, this is just changing the

517
00:43:43,119 --> 00:43:51,680
wording and changing the job description
and therefore what the job is just a

518
00:43:49,520 --> 00:43:54,920
little bit. It's another tweak to a job
that's evolving.

519
00:43:55,040 --> 00:43:59,040
» I think we've done our diligence with
the chiefs, with the mutual aid

520
00:43:57,680 --> 00:44:01,839
association, with the commission and
letting everybody know that this is

521
00:44:00,319 --> 00:44:05,119
coming. What we haven't been able to
tackle yet is getting with our town

522
00:44:03,520 --> 00:44:09,280
managers and ensuring they're aware of
this position, ensuring that they have a

523
00:44:06,800 --> 00:44:13,119
a voice at the table for needs and can
have some sort of easy mechanism to

524
00:44:11,599 --> 00:44:17,440
communicate with their chief and just
make sure that that's that's flowing.

525
00:44:15,119 --> 00:44:21,200
Um, the position itself will be added to
the executive board agenda at their

526
00:44:19,520 --> 00:44:24,000
regular meeting. So, it will be a topic
for discussion. That is a public

527
00:44:22,640 --> 00:44:29,200
meeting. So, we're just trying to find
ways to ensure everybody has an

528
00:44:26,240 --> 00:44:33,200
opportunity to to provide feedback,
especially as we are just now rolling

529
00:44:31,520 --> 00:44:40,240
this out in
>> Will this be funded as part of the

530
00:44:36,880 --> 00:44:45,839
communications etc budget fees or is
this going to be funded directly from

531
00:44:43,040 --> 00:44:49,599
our regular administration budget?
>> Currently, it's in the communications

532
00:44:47,520 --> 00:44:53,839
budget. um it's where it seemed to make
most sense at the time. But I do think

533
00:44:52,079 --> 00:44:57,200
again after having conversations about
what the role should look like, what the

534
00:44:55,200 --> 00:45:01,280
town want to want, what the county
needs, um I think we'll we'll probably

535
00:44:59,599 --> 00:45:07,680
re revisit that, see what department
makes the most sense, what that

536
00:45:02,560 --> 00:45:12,160
structure chain of command makes more.
The net effect is not that different to

537
00:45:10,240 --> 00:45:15,760
the individual towns, whether it comes
out of that fee or whether it comes out

538
00:45:14,160 --> 00:45:21,440
of
directly out of property taxes.

539
00:45:18,160 --> 00:45:28,640
But it would make it cleaner and neater.
Um, the reason to make it not part of

540
00:45:23,920 --> 00:45:35,520
communications is it becomes a wholly
um run part of the county as opposed to

541
00:45:31,839 --> 00:45:40,119
something the he has a say in.
>> Yeah.

542
00:45:37,119 --> 00:45:40,119
Mark,

543
00:45:41,280 --> 00:45:49,440
» one of the things that you know question
somebody might might ask is what happens

544
00:45:46,720 --> 00:45:54,079
to the work that the person was doing.
And one of the things a lot of the

545
00:45:52,319 --> 00:45:58,000
things still fit in the description
properly, but one of the things that's

546
00:45:55,920 --> 00:46:05,280
happened in the last couple of years, I
think the the job has been sort of

547
00:46:01,839 --> 00:46:09,920
overseeing dispatch as well and working
really closely with the dispatch center.

548
00:46:07,599 --> 00:46:15,760
And as we've the dispatch center,
brought in a new director that that

549
00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:22,160
person now has the ability to move uh
into this new circumstance really

550
00:46:17,760 --> 00:46:27,520
smoothly. uh without any interruption in
any of the the the job services being

551
00:46:25,280 --> 00:46:31,560
provided previously.
So we're not losing anything.

552
00:46:32,720 --> 00:46:41,440
» Correct. The only um
butt that I'll put in that is this is

553
00:46:39,359 --> 00:46:46,880
when we create a job, it's not about a
person. It's about the position and

554
00:46:44,480 --> 00:46:52,480
making sure that if we create this
position, we will find a person uh we

555
00:46:50,720 --> 00:46:58,000
just happen to have one on staff who can
do this, but that it's we're creating a

556
00:46:55,520 --> 00:47:04,200
a job that is not so tailored to one
person that somebody else could step in

557
00:47:00,400 --> 00:47:04,200
and do it down the road.

558
00:47:04,720 --> 00:47:07,720
» Great.

559
00:47:07,760 --> 00:47:14,560
I do feel like the changes in the job
description reflect that it seems like

560
00:47:13,920 --> 00:47:17,560
to me.
>> Yeah.

561
00:47:17,839 --> 00:47:23,599
» Anything else on this? Do we need to do
anything or you can just go ahead and

562
00:47:21,359 --> 00:47:26,400
change that job description without us?
>> Yeah, typically job descriptions will

563
00:47:25,359 --> 00:47:29,839
come in front of the commission if
there's a monetary impact. Um, this

564
00:47:28,400 --> 00:47:35,119
doesn't have a monetary impact. I just
wanted to to show the changes and and

565
00:47:31,920 --> 00:47:39,680
what was there before and how you do it.
I just want to say I think this is a

566
00:47:36,720 --> 00:47:45,760
great example of the county doing more
work at the municipal level and making

567
00:47:42,720 --> 00:47:49,839
our services more available and finding
better ways to partner. So, I'm really

568
00:47:47,680 --> 00:47:58,800
excited about this transition and I
think it will um hopefully only enhance

569
00:47:53,280 --> 00:48:05,200
our reputation at the municipal level.
>> I mean, it could lead down the road to

570
00:48:00,640 --> 00:48:09,119
us having a fire commissioner in effect.
it could grow from this to something

571
00:48:07,040 --> 00:48:13,440
else. But I think it's a good step in
terms of the services we're one of the

572
00:48:10,800 --> 00:48:17,760
only provided counts
>> and a good I don't want to use a

573
00:48:15,680 --> 00:48:22,240
position or a person as a tool but it is
a tool to evaluate what hasn't been

574
00:48:20,160 --> 00:48:27,280
happening in municipalities. It's it's a
way to excuse me create some equity. So

575
00:48:25,280 --> 00:48:31,920
not just one department is getting all
the resources. We can now resource

576
00:48:29,359 --> 00:48:38,160
share. We can all go in and fund
something together. So I think it

577
00:48:35,520 --> 00:48:43,599
it's a positive.
>> I I can add uh from the day I was

578
00:48:41,680 --> 00:48:50,400
elected to the position even before I
was sworn in one of my first meetings

579
00:48:45,839 --> 00:48:55,839
with the a select board chair. Um the
discussion was about how we were sitting

580
00:48:53,599 --> 00:49:01,680
in Rockland watching a Rockland fire
training and how to coordinate better

581
00:48:58,960 --> 00:49:06,400
between fire departments. So they they
the economics of ordering equipment and

582
00:49:04,720 --> 00:49:11,599
making sure that the equipment was
spared out to where it should be and no

583
00:49:09,359 --> 00:49:16,000
duplication. It was one of the first
concerns that came up and it's it's I've

584
00:49:14,000 --> 00:49:21,800
had those conversations many times. This
is something that the towns are really

585
00:49:18,240 --> 00:49:21,800
looking forward to.

586
00:49:22,720 --> 00:49:33,599
And I'll just add because I have to keep
adding things is um how valuable mutual

587
00:49:30,319 --> 00:49:38,559
aid is to Knox County that everybody's
willing to work together to get that to

588
00:49:36,319 --> 00:49:43,839
to provide services to all of the towns
and share services makes a big

589
00:49:40,960 --> 00:49:48,720
difference uh in terms of firefighting
in terms of emergency response

590
00:49:45,520 --> 00:49:55,400
throughout the county. And if this is
something that we can help them with,

591
00:49:51,200 --> 00:49:55,400
then it's a good thing.

592
00:49:58,800 --> 00:50:08,240
Then our next one in terms of discussion
items is F which is policy updates and

593
00:50:05,760 --> 00:50:12,960
policy review committee.
>> So just some internal things. Uh we are

594
00:50:11,520 --> 00:50:17,040
kicking off our department manager
monthly meetings again. um hoping to

595
00:50:15,280 --> 00:50:21,839
squeeze one in in March, but looking
like April. Um I've also offered some of

596
00:50:20,319 --> 00:50:26,559
the leadership from the courthouse to
meet regularly. I think

597
00:50:24,480 --> 00:50:29,760
all c all uh excuse me, all departments
valuable, but especially when we're in

598
00:50:28,079 --> 00:50:33,119
one building together, a lot of similar
issues come up. So, we're just trying to

599
00:50:31,359 --> 00:50:39,040
find mechanisms
base and be able to bring things to the

600
00:50:35,280 --> 00:50:44,319
commission a little bit easier. Um, but
on top of that, we are revamping, well,

601
00:50:42,880 --> 00:50:48,240
I shouldn't say that, we're updating our
personnel policy. We're hoping to get

602
00:50:46,000 --> 00:50:52,640
that out shortly. Um, from there, we're
going to create a policy review

603
00:50:49,680 --> 00:50:56,400
committee, inviting various employees to
sit at a table similar to this and just

604
00:50:55,040 --> 00:51:00,480
chat through our policies. Every
department is so different here. It's

605
00:50:58,559 --> 00:51:03,599
really important to have that feedback
um and ensure that it works for each

606
00:51:01,920 --> 00:51:09,119
department or if we need to have some
some further discussion. So, um, mostly

607
00:51:07,040 --> 00:51:12,800
for employees, but also for you all that
those changes will be coming. Um, and to

608
00:51:11,119 --> 00:51:16,720
give you a heads up, we do have a lot of
policies that need updating and those

609
00:51:15,359 --> 00:51:20,880
all have to be approved by the
commission. So, I will find the best way

610
00:51:19,119 --> 00:51:25,839
to get them to you, make sure there's
background for you to understand why we

611
00:51:22,400 --> 00:51:30,319
made the changes, um, and try to not
pack them all in one night. Um, so we'll

612
00:51:28,640 --> 00:51:33,760
we'll chat about the best way to to get
those approvals, but we may see some as

613
00:51:32,240 --> 00:51:38,960
soon as the next cable commission
meeting.

614
00:51:35,839 --> 00:51:43,839
Uh when I was on the school board, we
had a policy committee uh which you know

615
00:51:41,520 --> 00:51:50,880
would be hard to do with a commission of
three. Uh we just have to have a second

616
00:51:46,000 --> 00:51:57,200
meeting every month. Um but uh we did
have the um policy committee reporting

617
00:51:55,200 --> 00:52:00,880
out at every commission or every
schoolboard meeting.

618
00:51:58,640 --> 00:52:07,359
» So you know that might just be a good
standing agenda item. And you know, as

619
00:52:04,240 --> 00:52:13,200
the committee review committee comes
together, um you know, if we can just

620
00:52:09,920 --> 00:52:18,400
have a goal of working through at least
one or two policies at every commission

621
00:52:15,599 --> 00:52:24,079
meeting going forward, that gives us
something to work toward. And um you

622
00:52:21,119 --> 00:52:29,440
know, if you find that it's helpful to
have a commissioner sit in on the review

623
00:52:27,520 --> 00:52:32,960
committee meetings, you know, that's
also something for us to think about.

624
00:52:31,040 --> 00:52:38,240
Maybe it could even be a rotation so
that each of us has an opportunity to

625
00:52:35,520 --> 00:52:43,520
sit on on that committee in the future
just to make sure that we're all staying

626
00:52:41,520 --> 00:52:50,559
familiar with the work that's happening
and also uh just playing our role in

627
00:52:48,400 --> 00:52:53,559
moving that forward. It doesn't get
stagnant.

628
00:52:54,400 --> 00:53:03,839
» I'll add something that um
wasn't on the agenda related I guess. Uh

629
00:53:00,720 --> 00:53:10,960
about a month ago, we had an open forum
where I sat with the um with staff and

630
00:53:09,119 --> 00:53:15,920
employees
um which I think was very helpful to me.

631
00:53:13,920 --> 00:53:21,119
Um, and I think once we're done with the
budget cycle, we might want to have each

632
00:53:18,880 --> 00:53:27,760
one of the commissioners have an open
meeting with staff on a afternoon when

633
00:53:24,480 --> 00:53:33,760
everybody can attend uh get input from
them um and give input so everybody has

634
00:53:31,200 --> 00:53:38,800
a chance to meet and exchange some
ideas. I think it's a good

635
00:53:36,559 --> 00:53:41,800
» Yeah,
>> absolutely.

636
00:53:42,079 --> 00:53:51,359
It wasn't mine.
I was just told to do it.

637
00:53:47,680 --> 00:53:56,000
You just spoke about it.
>> And I know we already talked about the

638
00:53:53,040 --> 00:53:59,040
budget process quite a bit. You you've
mentioned some things. I've mentioned

639
00:53:57,200 --> 00:54:03,040
some things, but I think we have most of
our ducks in a row. We've got their um

640
00:54:01,040 --> 00:54:06,800
certificates ready to go. I have
people's

641
00:54:05,040 --> 00:54:09,680
oh gosh,
can't remember the word off the top

642
00:54:08,160 --> 00:54:14,280
where you need all your signatures. So
that's all filled out for them. They do

643
00:54:11,280 --> 00:54:14,280
want

644
00:54:15,839 --> 00:54:20,079
» Yes. So all their paperwork is ready.
Whether they're trying to come on the

645
00:54:18,960 --> 00:54:23,359
budget committee, trying to leave the
budget committee, trying to do another

646
00:54:21,680 --> 00:54:27,520
term on the budget committee, we have it
all set up and ready for them. Again,

647
00:54:26,000 --> 00:54:31,440
we're
constant communication with the budget

648
00:54:29,359 --> 00:54:37,520
committee on where we are. So we're
speak, try and finalize a timeline

649
00:54:36,000 --> 00:54:42,480
meetings. So that's all I wanted to say.
Those are the discussion items.

650
00:54:39,920 --> 00:54:49,680
um related to that but not necessarily
on this agenda. Um I just don't want to

651
00:54:46,960 --> 00:54:55,599
lose track of
a charter review committee and I know

652
00:54:52,480 --> 00:55:00,720
you're all thinking about that but um we
do have a sunset for LD 2150 which is

653
00:54:59,280 --> 00:55:06,319
now public law but I don't know the
number. Um and uh just want to make sure

654
00:55:04,640 --> 00:55:11,760
that we are staying on top of that
because we need to

655
00:55:08,559 --> 00:55:16,800
um we can't we won't be in a position to
do what we did were doing this year

656
00:55:14,400 --> 00:55:22,640
after
December 31st 20

657
00:55:20,559 --> 00:55:28,240
28
and I think the timeline in my head I'm

658
00:55:26,720 --> 00:55:33,440
not sure if you and I have discussed
this yet is this year I get a lot

659
00:55:31,520 --> 00:55:37,760
uh education have about it, right? Where
where do we leave? What do we need? Um

660
00:55:36,000 --> 00:55:41,920
get people involved because it does come
to a public vote next year. Have all of

661
00:55:40,079 --> 00:55:48,079
our meetings get done what we need to
get done. Um and then valid all that

662
00:55:45,520 --> 00:55:53,920
whole process in 2018. A lot of the
changes we had already gone through and

663
00:55:50,079 --> 00:55:59,359
suggested would rely on the 2030 census.
So, it's it's nice if we can have it all

664
00:55:55,920 --> 00:56:04,319
wrapped up by our deadline for the
legislative bill, but as close to 2030,

665
00:56:02,319 --> 00:56:08,079
so it's fresh in people's minds as
putting something on. So, it's

666
00:56:06,400 --> 00:56:12,000
» we'll have to talk about a timeline a
little bit. Yeah.

667
00:56:09,280 --> 00:56:17,680
» But I think I'll add it as a kind of a
every other month checkin status update

668
00:56:15,040 --> 00:56:23,920
the commission agenda just so we good
things to just stay on text.

669
00:56:20,960 --> 00:56:29,520
Just to point out that the deadline that
we have is sort of an artificial

670
00:56:25,839 --> 00:56:33,920
deadline. For 14 years or 15 years, this
hasn't been a problem. Same charter. It

671
00:56:32,160 --> 00:56:37,359
just so happened that it sort of slipped
through the cracks when nobody all of a

672
00:56:35,839 --> 00:56:42,079
sudden decided they wanted to run to
reelect and nobody knew that they

673
00:56:39,920 --> 00:56:46,000
weren't going to run for reelection. So
it may be that if we just pay a bit more

674
00:56:44,160 --> 00:56:51,280
attention to it before again that won't
happen again which is what the county

675
00:56:49,359 --> 00:56:56,480
administrator is talking about being on
top of the four people whose seats are

676
00:56:53,200 --> 00:57:00,480
up for election. Um but it hasn't been a
problem so it may not be as dire

677
00:56:59,760 --> 00:57:01,440
sunsets.
>> It's true.

678
00:57:01,040 --> 00:57:04,640
» But
>> but it doesn't hurt.

679
00:57:02,720 --> 00:57:07,920
» Yeah. But we want to get it going. I
have a number of people who reached out

680
00:57:06,000 --> 00:57:13,359
to me who would like to be on a a
charter committee or commission.

681
00:57:10,400 --> 00:57:17,839
Any
other discussion items?

682
00:57:15,920 --> 00:57:23,359
If there's not, we'll move to the uh
action items. The first acting item is

683
00:57:21,119 --> 00:57:30,640
an act to approve the North Haven Deputy
Services contract for January 1st, 2026

684
00:57:27,200 --> 00:57:35,559
through June 30th, 2026. We better hurry
up and approve this because it's going

685
00:57:32,000 --> 00:57:35,559
to be announced soon.

686
00:57:36,799 --> 00:57:41,920
» Yes.
>> I'll I'll make a motion.

687
00:57:40,640 --> 00:57:46,839
It's been
>> and second

688
00:57:43,839 --> 00:57:46,839
discussion

689
00:57:49,520 --> 00:57:59,680
with chief deputy
from the sheriff department and the

690
00:57:56,480 --> 00:58:03,359
administrator from Haven and uh was
great discussion. They're very happy

691
00:58:01,440 --> 00:58:08,640
with the services they're getting and
they just wanted to make sure that you

692
00:58:05,520 --> 00:58:14,720
know this this got done. It was it was a
very pleasant conversation.

693
00:58:12,079 --> 00:58:18,400
» Great. Um, would you Kurt, would you
like to make a presentation about it?

694
00:58:16,400 --> 00:58:23,200
» Well, I was just going to add that to
echo what Mark said, there is some

695
00:58:20,880 --> 00:58:30,000
discussion about potentially
having the contract longer in duration.

696
00:58:27,839 --> 00:58:35,119
We can discuss that at a later point,
but there's been discussion of maybe a

697
00:58:32,079 --> 00:58:41,000
two-year contract, three-year contract,
so we don't have to keep doing this

698
00:58:37,599 --> 00:58:41,000
every year,

699
00:58:42,079 --> 00:58:51,599
right? I think the only reason we would
not do that is if we were worried about

700
00:58:47,680 --> 00:58:55,200
budget ramifications that down the road
things are going to go crazy, you know,

701
00:58:53,680 --> 00:58:57,680
but on the other hand, it would also
give us some stability in terms of

702
00:58:57,119 --> 00:59:03,680
budgets
>> and North Haven is also interested in

703
00:59:00,319 --> 00:59:10,240
doing a an more longer contract.
>> Yeah. Great.

704
00:59:07,119 --> 00:59:17,599
For anybody who doesn't know, this is a
budget. This is a contract between the

705
00:59:13,200 --> 00:59:26,160
county and North Haven uh the government
of North Haven Island uh to provide a

706
00:59:21,280 --> 00:59:30,640
sheriff's deputy service to the island.
And so what we're doing is basically

707
00:59:28,559 --> 00:59:34,400
approving the contract that is very
similar to the one we've had in the

708
00:59:32,319 --> 00:59:41,200
past. How many years have we been
providing that service to a contract?

709
00:59:37,280 --> 00:59:46,359
easily 20 to 30 years longer.
>> Yeah. So, we're not breaking new ground.

710
00:59:48,799 --> 00:59:53,440
» Any other discussion?
>> I was just going to say I think when we

711
00:59:51,440 --> 00:59:59,599
met with Final Haven last year, they had
some interesting ideas on how

712
00:59:57,280 --> 01:00:03,200
how this could work better monetary
discussions. So, this is really an

713
01:00:01,280 --> 01:00:07,359
extension of last year's contract to
allow some time to to have those

714
01:00:05,200 --> 01:00:10,480
discussions and especially with other
towns interested in sheriff's contracts,

715
01:00:09,119 --> 01:00:13,599
we want to make sure we take a step back
and and look at what that should look

716
01:00:12,000 --> 01:00:17,520
like to make sure it was as equitable as
possible while still understanding the

717
01:00:15,200 --> 01:00:22,079
islands are unique and they are going to
be different no matter what.

718
01:00:20,319 --> 01:00:27,680
I'll just bring up the one unique thing
is statute does say that as the

719
01:00:25,200 --> 01:00:33,440
commission because islands are not
contiguous that there is a tax relief

720
01:00:30,559 --> 01:00:37,359
you can give them. Uh that has been
something that's been between these

721
01:00:34,799 --> 01:00:40,000
contracts for some time as you get
questions from the other communities.

722
01:00:38,880 --> 01:00:44,960
That is the difference between the
islands and the main communities

723
01:00:42,480 --> 01:00:49,680
essentially are expected to pay 100%
whatever that may be based off decision

724
01:00:47,520 --> 01:00:54,160
discussion. But the islands, they do get
what's called a tax credit or a tax

725
01:00:51,760 --> 01:00:56,799
assessment credit. Uh we just handle a
little different in how it's worded in

726
01:00:55,599 --> 01:00:59,799
the contract, but essentially it's the
same.

727
01:01:04,079 --> 01:01:12,559
» Um any further discussion?
>> Uh I'll make a motion,

728
01:01:09,839 --> 01:01:16,880
» it's already that we have to authorize
the Knox County Sheriff to sign Oh, no.

729
01:01:14,640 --> 01:01:21,680
That's 21. Sorry. It's already been
moved and

730
01:01:18,799 --> 01:01:29,559
» deputy services contract for uh January
1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2026.

731
01:01:25,839 --> 01:01:29,559
» Great. Um

732
01:01:29,680 --> 01:01:35,920
seeing no further discussion, I'll call
the vote. All those in favor?

733
01:01:34,640 --> 01:01:40,319
» Mark says yes.
>> Three in favor, none opposed. Well, the

734
01:01:38,480 --> 01:01:45,680
next item we have, and I don't know if
this is necessary or not, is an

735
01:01:42,480 --> 01:01:51,119
executive session.
to convene an executive session pursuant

736
01:01:47,680 --> 01:01:55,440
to one MRS section 4056F
a discussion of information contained in

737
01:01:53,040 --> 01:02:01,440
records made maintained or received by
the sheriff's office that are not

738
01:01:57,200 --> 01:02:06,359
accessible to the public by statute
and I will leave this to the uh

739
01:02:03,359 --> 01:02:06,359
commission

740
01:02:09,119 --> 01:02:15,839
before we before we make a decision
about that I just want to take a moment

741
01:02:13,599 --> 01:02:20,799
and thank the county administrator, our
finance director, all the directors of

742
01:02:18,960 --> 01:02:26,240
all our different departments, and all
the employees for all the hard work they

743
01:02:23,680 --> 01:02:30,400
put in in this sort of very
unpredictable budget season, and that

744
01:02:28,240 --> 01:02:34,640
we're finally coming out of it. Uh, and
I especially like to thank uh,

745
01:02:32,079 --> 01:02:40,640
Commissioner Hine because she, you know,
took the the the took the direction of

746
01:02:38,319 --> 01:02:46,079
getting the the legislation through the
legislature. And uh I'm so thankful for

747
01:02:43,520 --> 01:02:51,359
all the hard work that everybody did.
>> I'm a cynic. I'm sorry. Have you been

748
01:02:48,640 --> 01:02:56,880
watching the Oscars? I mean, all those
thank yous. I'd like to thank my

749
01:02:53,680 --> 01:03:00,799
director. I'd like to thank Oh, anyhow.
>> Well, I have my little piece of paper

750
01:02:58,559 --> 01:03:04,720
here, too, that
my tuxedo.

751
01:03:02,559 --> 01:03:09,040
» Yeah, but I do agree. You're absolutely
right. Thanks are always due to all of

752
01:03:07,359 --> 01:03:13,520
those the people who've been putting in
so much work for this. Anyhow, let's get

753
01:03:11,760 --> 01:03:20,079
back to the executive session. Is there
a motion to move into executive session?

754
01:03:16,880 --> 01:03:21,039
» Do a a motion and then discussion before
voting.

755
01:03:20,720 --> 01:03:25,920
» Yeah.
>> Okay. I'll I'll make a motion.

756
01:03:24,640 --> 01:03:31,520
» It's been moved and seconded.
Discussion.

757
01:03:27,440 --> 01:03:38,000
» Um I wonder if maybe we want to hear
from the sheriff first and what the

758
01:03:34,880 --> 01:03:42,400
sheriff can share about thisou.
um and

759
01:03:40,319 --> 01:03:46,640
uh and then decide from there if we
actually do need an executive session.

760
01:03:45,200 --> 01:03:50,480
Does that seem like an appropriate way
of handling this?

761
01:03:47,760 --> 01:03:53,440
» Sure. If he's willing to just give us a
little bit of background about why we

762
01:03:51,920 --> 01:03:56,559
would need an executive session.
>> Yes.

763
01:03:55,119 --> 01:04:01,760
» I was under the impression you folks
asked for the move the action item

764
01:03:59,440 --> 01:04:06,480
because I provided you with the the
public facing.

765
01:04:04,240 --> 01:04:09,039
Um, but I understood that there was
additional questions you may have.

766
01:04:07,839 --> 01:04:15,200
That's why you wanted the executive
session because there may be items that

767
01:04:12,240 --> 01:04:18,559
specifically private that we can't share
that you may want to know about.

768
01:04:16,720 --> 01:04:22,319
» In full transparency, I don't know if
I'm the only one, but I asked have it on

769
01:04:20,720 --> 01:04:27,680
the agenda just so it was there in case
we needed it. So if we don't need it, I

770
01:04:26,079 --> 01:04:33,359
don't think we need to go into executive
session, but I would like to hear you

771
01:04:30,000 --> 01:04:36,880
know just a short presentation from you
first on a second video to make that

772
01:04:35,520 --> 01:04:42,079
decision.
>> So uh so you have the forward facing one

773
01:04:39,520 --> 01:04:46,240
I brought you with me today so we could
speak on some of those things especially

774
01:04:43,599 --> 01:04:52,319
during the exact session. Uh but what
this is is uh an agreement with the US

775
01:04:49,839 --> 01:04:57,440
Marshall Service uh to basically
broadbrush deal with sex offender type

776
01:04:54,960 --> 01:05:01,920
of uh violations we see both at the
state and federal level. It's a task

777
01:04:59,760 --> 01:05:07,039
force. It's put together. This will be I
think the eighth annual or ninth annual.

778
01:05:04,720 --> 01:05:13,200
It's been a few years anyway. Done this
for several years. Um the important part

779
01:05:09,039 --> 01:05:17,280
for us was that this is not tied to DHS
US Marshall Service. None of those

780
01:05:15,680 --> 01:05:20,319
immigration things that we have talked
about in this agreement in particular,

781
01:05:19,039 --> 01:05:26,079
but that's part of why I shared it with
you ahead of time. So you folks could

782
01:05:22,319 --> 01:05:30,720
see that it is not hard. It's literally
few thousand dollars to use our staff uh

783
01:05:29,520 --> 01:05:35,680
because there are things we can't
enforce federally, but there's also

784
01:05:32,079 --> 01:05:40,640
things they can't do statewide. So they
need us and they need them in a way for

785
01:05:38,720 --> 01:05:47,280
some of these things to work as a task
force in order to fully enforce some of

786
01:05:43,200 --> 01:05:50,960
the things that they were looking into.
>> Thank you.

787
01:05:48,720 --> 01:05:56,079
» Yeah. My my
thought on the executive session and

788
01:05:54,319 --> 01:06:01,280
if it's stuff that the public doesn't
know or doesn't need to know, we

789
01:05:58,720 --> 01:06:07,119
probably don't need to know it either. I
mean this is about uh individuals and

790
01:06:04,960 --> 01:06:12,799
it's not about the process, it's about
the individuals themselves and I don't

791
01:06:09,680 --> 01:06:18,240
need to know that.
So in terms of the executive session, um

792
01:06:15,680 --> 01:06:24,559
I would vote no. I don't know how
anybody else will I I will be voting no

793
01:06:22,000 --> 01:06:30,160
as well. I just wanted to make sure that
we had the discussion and there wasn't

794
01:06:28,000 --> 01:06:34,400
something I was missing wasn't for me
and I just wanted to be really clear

795
01:06:31,839 --> 01:06:38,880
that I wasn't missing anything and I
think it's a good opportunity to educate

796
01:06:36,240 --> 01:06:44,559
the community if they're watching about
what this is about and

797
01:06:42,000 --> 01:06:48,559
helpful. So, thank you. It also ties to
like we discovered this past year that

798
01:06:46,400 --> 01:06:52,160
all money's in and out have to come for
you

799
01:06:49,760 --> 01:06:57,039
» and it was a little bit of a a struggle
to find exactly where in the exceptions

800
01:06:54,559 --> 01:07:00,799
for executive sessions may fit. Um
because although so much can be forward

801
01:06:58,720 --> 01:07:04,559
facing that's a challenge for law
enforcement in particular uh similar to

802
01:07:02,640 --> 01:07:07,760
the medical records thing with HIPPA
there's certain things we have to

803
01:07:05,760 --> 01:07:12,240
protect and and we can share them with
you in executive session to a point some

804
01:07:10,000 --> 01:07:15,680
things there that we can't share but
that is the option but like said we've

805
01:07:13,839 --> 01:07:18,799
done it for some time we just didn't
necessarily come to you in the past

806
01:07:17,039 --> 01:07:23,359
because it was no necessarily internal
policy but like like we said once we had

807
01:07:21,440 --> 01:07:26,880
that legal review even it's $1 in and
out still has to come before in some

808
01:07:25,839 --> 01:07:31,520
fashion
So, we're just making sure that we do

809
01:07:28,160 --> 01:07:35,839
that bottomless correction.
We'll talk about theou in a minute, but

810
01:07:34,240 --> 01:07:39,640
we're still talking about the executive
session. Mark,

811
01:07:40,799 --> 01:07:49,680
» then let's let's call the vote. All
those in favor of going into executive

812
01:07:45,520 --> 01:07:54,960
session, all those opposed.
>> No.

813
01:07:52,559 --> 01:08:00,640
So now we have on the floor the next is
the action item which is an act to

814
01:07:58,400 --> 01:08:05,000
authorize the county sheriff to sign
anou with US marches.

815
01:08:06,400 --> 01:08:12,720
» So move
second.

816
01:08:11,039 --> 01:08:18,159
» So it's been moved and second
discussion. an animal if you would I

817
01:08:16,400 --> 01:08:25,120
think we've discussed parts of this
before that there are people out there

818
01:08:21,600 --> 01:08:30,640
we don't want on their streets and uh
the best way for you guys to deal with

819
01:08:28,000 --> 01:08:36,319
them if it's on the federal basis is
through the marshall service and I'm

820
01:08:32,880 --> 01:08:42,159
assuming this is part of that
in a sense may I please

821
01:08:39,279 --> 01:08:46,080
so and would you like to introduce
yourself a total detective with

822
01:08:43,920 --> 01:08:50,799
sheriff's office. I've been there for 28
years. The last 21 of those 28s, I do

823
01:08:48,960 --> 01:08:54,880
all of the sheriff's office sexual
assault cases. So, it's just something

824
01:08:53,199 --> 01:09:00,880
I'm very familiar with and deal with on
a daily basis.

825
01:08:57,279 --> 01:09:06,799
Um, in 1991, state of Maine started a
sex offender registry. That registry was

826
01:09:03,440 --> 01:09:11,839
revamped in 95, again in 1999, and then
again in 2013.

827
01:09:09,199 --> 01:09:15,520
Each one of those revamp of the sex
offender registry in the state of Maine

828
01:09:13,279 --> 01:09:20,480
brought with it new
regulations that sex offenders need to

829
01:09:17,359 --> 01:09:25,279
adhere to. And as you can imagine, not
all people adhere to the rules that

830
01:09:22,640 --> 01:09:29,679
they're supposed to. Um what's unique
about it is that every time there is a

831
01:09:28,000 --> 01:09:35,120
revamp, there's a period of time, let's
just say between 1999 and 2013,

832
01:09:33,279 --> 01:09:39,440
that the people in that time frame was
grandfathered under those rules. And

833
01:09:36,799 --> 01:09:43,040
then when it changed again, these so the
rules are different for everybody so to

834
01:09:41,279 --> 01:09:47,520
speak. So it is a little bit complex.
Another thing that makes county a little

835
01:09:45,440 --> 01:09:53,040
unique is that we hold in our county the
main state prison. So our numbers of sex

836
01:09:49,920 --> 01:09:57,920
offenders are higher than most. They
still need to be maintained, documented,

837
01:09:56,080 --> 01:10:01,120
their movements
uh tracked and of course when they get

838
01:09:59,440 --> 01:10:07,520
released that's a whole another
situation as well. In Knox County,

839
01:10:04,480 --> 01:10:13,920
currently there are 170 registered sex
offenders. 27 of those are housed in the

840
01:10:12,000 --> 01:10:19,199
main state prison, which means we have
approximately 140 registered sex

841
01:10:16,320 --> 01:10:23,440
offenders in Knox County out and about
that need to be monitored and to ensure

842
01:10:21,280 --> 01:10:28,320
that they are in compliance with the
standards of the main sex offender

843
01:10:24,800 --> 01:10:32,239
registry. As you can imagine,
trying to keep track of 140 people to do

844
01:10:30,960 --> 01:10:38,239
everything that they're supposed to do
in the time frames of whatever sauna

845
01:10:34,560 --> 01:10:43,679
that they were uh charged under
can be a daunting task. What the

846
01:10:40,640 --> 01:10:50,000
Marshall Service does is provides us
with funding to be able to allow a small

847
01:10:47,600 --> 01:10:54,239
group of us to be able to have the time
to ensure that these people are

848
01:10:52,080 --> 01:10:57,440
compliant. And if they are not, they're
dealt with accordingly.

849
01:10:57,600 --> 01:11:00,600
questions.

850
01:11:02,159 --> 01:11:12,800
» Is thisou that was signed purely for um
sex registry administration?

851
01:11:09,440 --> 01:11:18,480
» Yes. So when this first started back in
with us 2018 somewhere right in there

852
01:11:16,320 --> 01:11:23,120
2019
uh it started it would be a two-day

853
01:11:20,880 --> 01:11:26,800
operation. There would be members of the
Marshall Service that come up here. We

854
01:11:24,640 --> 01:11:30,719
would plan and coordinate. We' section
off the county. We would team up and we

855
01:11:29,040 --> 01:11:35,360
would try to hit everybody in two days.
A two-day fail swoop, day, night, try to

856
01:11:33,120 --> 01:11:39,520
get everybody done.
After a year or two of doing that, they

857
01:11:37,600 --> 01:11:45,040
realized that we had a pretty good
handle on how we handle things here. Um

858
01:11:43,199 --> 01:11:49,920
that we knew what we were doing. We
didn't need to be babysat. in the last

859
01:11:47,280 --> 01:11:55,679
five to six years at least
uh they've simply just funded us and

860
01:11:53,280 --> 01:12:02,000
allow us to do our own operation so to
speak. So our primary concern and what

861
01:11:59,600 --> 01:12:05,920
we do with that funding is simply to
ensure the sex offenders are complying

862
01:12:04,320 --> 01:12:11,440
and nothing more.
>> How many staff are working on that?

863
01:12:08,320 --> 01:12:17,280
typically because it because it's kind
of complex in nature. Typically there's

864
01:12:13,600 --> 01:12:21,520
only two of us that do these details.
>> Do you still do it as a a batch like

865
01:12:19,920 --> 01:12:26,640
that within a day or two or do you do it
over the course of the whole year? Now,

866
01:12:23,199 --> 01:12:32,560
» so these have a time frame. Uh usually
they're about 30 days, 30 to 45 days.

867
01:12:30,880 --> 01:12:35,800
Yes. in here that's somewhere in that
time frame

868
01:12:36,880 --> 01:12:41,679
trying to locate people where they're
supposed to be can be difficult during

869
01:12:40,239 --> 01:12:47,440
the week. So it's typically nights and
weekends. So in that time frame we will

870
01:12:44,960 --> 01:12:54,679
try to utilize as many nights spend in
those weekends that we can locate as

871
01:12:49,760 --> 01:12:54,679
many people in a time frame.

872
01:12:56,239 --> 01:13:03,920
» Other questions? One more question. Just
thinking about um like succession.

873
01:13:01,760 --> 01:13:06,239
You've been doing this for a long time.
>> How long?

874
01:13:04,560 --> 01:13:09,280
» Yeah. So, I'm guessing there may be a
point when you want to retire.

875
01:13:08,400 --> 01:13:12,640
» Several years.
>> Yeah.

876
01:13:10,480 --> 01:13:16,960
» And
you have one other person who's been

877
01:13:14,960 --> 01:13:23,120
working on this with you. I don't know
who that person is if it's always the

878
01:13:18,800 --> 01:13:28,719
same person but just wondering how this
skill set is uh being shared with other

879
01:13:26,480 --> 01:13:34,480
folks in the department. So if there is
turnover in the future because it sounds

880
01:13:30,640 --> 01:13:41,199
like you maybe have it down to a science
um and others may not time

881
01:13:39,520 --> 01:13:47,040
and that's more for the sheriff I think
probably than for you. So that was the

882
01:13:44,800 --> 01:13:52,159
original intent of it. A lot of deputies
were brought on at the same time

883
01:13:49,360 --> 01:13:55,600
bringing off deputies and detectives now
because it is more spread out. We tend

884
01:13:53,840 --> 01:13:59,920
to use just who's available that
understands. But to your point, it may

885
01:13:57,840 --> 01:14:04,719
be important for us to look at that for
these future ones to start bringing

886
01:14:01,760 --> 01:14:09,120
those in. Um, typically what we've seen
though is the investigators will decide

887
01:14:07,440 --> 01:14:13,840
which purview they want to be in, but
the sheriff will ultimately say, "Well,

888
01:14:11,120 --> 01:14:17,920
you're the the better one at this choice
because we do have several detectives.

889
01:14:15,440 --> 01:14:22,960
They all take on all of the functions,
but they each have specialties."

890
01:14:21,199 --> 01:14:28,560
In preparation for that, we're looking
at who do we bring on as that. Some of

891
01:14:26,560 --> 01:14:32,960
the staff having worked with Titan
Twitchell throughout the last few years

892
01:14:30,640 --> 01:14:36,360
kind of gleing knowledge from him as as
it were anyway.

893
01:14:38,560 --> 01:14:45,840
» Does sound like we're running a fairly
good program if the Marshall Service has

894
01:14:43,840 --> 01:14:51,199
handed it over and said you guys can do
it.

895
01:14:47,679 --> 01:14:55,920
So, thank you that you're doing a great
job doing it. Um

896
01:14:54,239 --> 01:14:59,040
because if we weren't, I'm sure the
Marshall Service would still be

897
01:14:57,280 --> 01:15:04,960
involved. On the other hand, they're
probably willing to let it go.

898
01:15:02,080 --> 01:15:08,080
But it it is a testament once again that
how well our sheriffs have gotten

899
01:15:06,400 --> 01:15:14,640
through.
Thank you, Mark. Anything?

900
01:15:12,080 --> 01:15:19,199
» No, I'm just in a lot that you know
people do this kind of work on a

901
01:15:16,640 --> 01:15:23,080
constant regular year after year basis
and thankful for that.

902
01:15:23,679 --> 01:15:30,000
No other discussion. Uh all those in
favor of theou

903
01:15:29,040 --> 01:15:34,520
says yes.
>> Three in favor none. Thank you.

904
01:15:35,840 --> 01:15:43,920
» Other items. There's nothing else on the
agenda. And if you need to discuss we

905
01:15:41,440 --> 01:15:46,960
need to discuss our next meeting which
may be

906
01:15:45,840 --> 01:15:52,960
» March 31st.
>> March 31st.

907
01:15:49,360 --> 01:15:55,760
Tuesday. Yeah. Which is going to be the
one and that's joint budget committee.

908
01:15:55,280 --> 01:15:57,840
» Correct.
>> Yeah.

909
01:15:56,640 --> 01:16:01,440
» Yes.
>> Y

910
01:16:00,159 --> 01:16:05,000
that's going to be the purpose of the
meeting is the web

911
01:16:07,760 --> 01:16:13,920
3.
>> Yeah. 6 p.m.

912
01:16:11,600 --> 01:16:20,320
6.
Okay. Thank you.

913
01:16:16,960 --> 01:16:25,600
» I will take a motion to adjourn.
Second move and seconded

914
01:16:23,120 --> 01:16:28,960
and then once we meet on the 31st then
we'll have some idea what all of our

915
01:16:27,440 --> 01:16:34,320
other meetings will be.
>> Yeah. I'm hoping four

916
01:16:32,239 --> 01:16:38,560
» and those will probably be evening
meetings or late afternoon meeting

917
01:16:36,320 --> 01:16:44,800
» Tuesday
we still have our regular meeting in

918
01:16:41,199 --> 01:16:51,239
April whatever date that is. Yes.
Great. Uh nothing further. All those in

919
01:16:47,840 --> 01:16:51,239
favor of adjournment.

920
01:16:51,520 --> 01:16:55,880
» In favor, none of Thank you.