Perry County council approves series of additional appropriations, reassigns planning fund and schedules Ferdinand deputy payment

Perry County Council approved a series of additional appropriations on a unanimous vote and moved a planning-and-zoning stipend line into a newly created special fund during a regularly held meeting.

The council agreed to reappropriate $3,600 for planning and zoning board stipends into fund 4911, a change staff said was required because the fund was created by ordinance last year. Council member Corey moved for the reallocation and the motion passed 6-0.

Council also recorded a set of additional appropriations that staff said had been approved earlier on Feb. 26 but needed to be re-entered into the DLGF Gateway under a new 14-day advertisement rule. Staff listed the Feb. 26 items to be recorded: riverboat fund $500 for background checks; Hume Bridge (County Road 10) $97,800; Plat Book Fund $1,099 for office supplies; Pauper public defender $50,346.78; 4E public defender $911.38; and $70 from the general fund for council subscriptions and dues.

A large batch of sheriff-office payroll and benefit additional appropriations followed. The council approved motions to cover longevity ($8,373.12), a $6,000 incentive payment, $3,000 for rain pay, $2,492.64 for holiday pay and a series of deputy payline adjustments and associated social-security entries. Staff explained some higher amounts reflected rank-based changes tied to a new salary matrix. All motions passed by unanimous voice votes that staff recorded as 6-0.

There was one advertising correction: an item that appeared on the agenda as a "third deputy" was clarified as a matron retirement of $295.32. After staff corrected the description, the council approved a motion of intent to proceed and advertise the corrected item.

On a separate motion, the council agreed to advertise the county's half of the Ferdinand deputy bill and to take that payment from the riverboat cash balance rather than the general fund. Council member Corey moved to draw the county share from riverboat funds; the motion passed with all members saying "aye." Staff said the split is roughly half of a bill Bates said is close to $58,000 this year, which would make the county portion about $28,000-$29,000; staff and members noted the exact amount will be confirmed and advertised for the end-of-month meeting.

The meeting closed after routine scheduling and adjournment motions.

Votes at a glance:
- Agenda approval: motion passed (mover: Brad; seconder: Paul) — outcome: approved.
- Reappropriate $3,600 to fund 4911 (planning and zoning stipends): motion passed (mover: Corey; seconder: Gail) — outcome: approved.
- Planning & zoning Social Security $276: approved.
- Planning & zoning office supplies $200 (fund 4911): approved.
- Sheriff longevity $8,373.12 (general fund): approved.
- Sheriff incentive $6,000 (general fund): approved.
- Sheriff rain pay $3,000 (general fund): approved.
- Sheriff holiday pay $2,492.64 (general fund): approved.
- Multiple deputy-payline adjustments and social-security items (various amounts listed in meeting record): approved.
- Matron retirement $295.32 (correction from "third deputy"): motion of intent approved.
- Ferdinand deputy bill: council moved to advertise and to fund the county share from riverboat cash; motion passed.

The council recorded that the 2025 TIF report (prepared by Baker Tilly) was presented and needs no formal approval; staff will note the review in the minutes.