Members of the Morgan County Council spent most of the Aug. 1 meeting listening to Morgan County Auditor Dan Bastin explain the 2023 budget.
The requested county budget for all county agencies and departments for 2023 is around $84.58 million, which compares with an approved 2022 budget of around $65.45 million.
More:Commissioners table decision on parking lot patching.
The council will begin budget hearings with elected officials and department heads at 8:30 a.m. on Aug.15 and 16 at the Morgan County Administration Building, 180 S. Main St., Martinsville.
Before discussing the budget, the council approved appropriating around $38,000 into the culvert line account. That money came from the sale of scrap metal at the county highway department. Then, at the request of the department, they transferred that money into an account that is used to meet state law on bridge preservation.
Council members then approved an additional appropriation of around $153,000 into the highway department's equipment fund. That money came from an online auction of surplus county equipment. According to the request, the money will be used to purchase a new bulldozer.
Council members then approved transferring $6,000 from the county parks part-time director account into the contractual services account.
According to Morgan County Commissioner Kenny Hale, the money will be used to purchase a two-hole pit toilet from INMOD Construction.
The pit toilet is constructed inside a metal cargo container and will be split in half with a toilet on each side.
The pit will have a 600-gallon holding tank and will be placed at Burkhart Creek Park.
The cost of the toilet is around $55,000.
Hale said the temporary toilets at the park have been heavily vandalized. He hoped the new toilets is a more durable construction and will be harder to damage.
Council members gave preliminary approval for a 10-year tax abatement for Deckers Outdoor Solutions.
The company wants to spend around $50 million on a building in the Westpoint Business Park in Monroe Township.
Over a 10-year period, the company could save around $1.7 million in property taxes. It will pay around $1.145 million in property taxes.
I-69 Finish Line:What's the status of the interstate project in Indianapolis?
he council will hold a public hearing in September before giving the request formal approval.
Council members approved changes to several job descriptions and job titles for some employees. The changes reflect changes in their job responsibilities.
The next scheduled meeting of the Morgan County Council is planned for 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12, at the county administration building.