March 4, 2025 - Council Meeting

Council Meeting

March 4, 2025

6:00 pm

Present:          Council President: Cameron Emond, Council Vice President: Betty Hoster

Council Members: Michael Johnson, Darwin Miller and Janet Gross

Utility Clerk: Breanna Plantenga, Deputy Clerk: Karie Holder

Water Superintendent: Justin Bowman

Street Department: Vince Hall

Deputy Marshal: JR Northcutt

Other: Daryl Orns, Steve Young, Robin Foley, Leroy Simon, Susie Minniear, Marilyn Maxwell, Leslie Benyon, Larry Klink, Kenneth Burns, Ken Smith, Janell Hofstetter, and Judy Thomas.

Absent:           Town Attorney: Jacob Ahler, Town Marshal: Jared Baer

Council President Cameron Emond opened the Council Meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The February 18, 2025 Council Meeting Minutes were presented for approval. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-1, Council Member Darwin Miller opposed.

Water Superintendent Justin Bowman reported that one of the town trucks is undergoing some repairs. Justin also notified the Council that meters have been put on the fuel tanks, out by the Plants.

Council president Cameron Emond announced that K-9 Kilo, and Marshal Jared Baer are graduating from K-9 training.

Janet Gross, KIRPC representative, announced that White County has no Head Start Programs. Janet is going to talk to the White County Officials about the possibility of getting some Head Start Programs in White County.

Michael Johnson, White County Economic Development Representative, stated that the WCED meetings have been moved to the second Monday of every month.

Marilyn Maxwell, Mainstreet Committee, reported that Mainstreet will be having an Easter Egg Hunt on April 19th. Mainstreet will also be donating Bobby the Wonder Dog books, to the students at Tri County.

Deputy Clerk Karie Holder reported that the office will be closed on March 17-20th, due to the Clerk’s Office being at classes in Plainfield. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to close the office. Karie also announced that Treeva Sarles has been working with the office to get finances figured out. Year End reports have all been finished by the deadline. Karie also notified the Council that Treeva wants to have a meeting with the Council to discuss Wolcott’s financial state. The meeting will be on March 10th at 5:30. Karie presented the Council with some bills that the Town has received for prepares at the Water and Wastewater Plant. Since the Wastewater account is low in funds, Karie told the Council that the bills could be paid out of the CEDIT fund. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to pay the wastewater bills out of the CEDIT fund. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Vince Hall, Street Department, announced that the leaf vac radiator is being replaced.

Street Light bids were presented to the Council, to replace and retrofit the decorative street lights in town. Bids were received by Greg Schneider Electric for $4,550 and D & K Electric for $8,500. Council member Michael Johnson made a motion to accept the bid from Greg Schneider Electric. Council Member Darwin Miller second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Council Vice President Betty Hoster announced that she has spoken with SBOA regarding the Clerk Treasurer position vacancy. Since the previous Clerk Treasurer was an Independent, the Council gets to appoint the new Clerk Treasurer. After some discussion, Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to appoint Deputy Clerk, Karie Holder, as the new Clerk Treasurer. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 4-1, Council member Darwin Miller opposed.

A new contract was presented to the Council from Balanced Center, to have Treeva Sarles continue to help the Town figure out their finances and help cleanup the last five years’ worth of errors. Council Vice President Betty Hoster made a motion to accept the contract from Balanced Center. Council Member Janet Gross second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Resident, Leslie Benyon, asked the Council why the Town has not been audited lately. The council notified Leslie that they have reached out to SBOA requesting an audit.

Due to lack of attendance, the Council discussed cancelling the March 18th Council Meeting. Council member Michael Johnson made a motion to cancel the next Council Meeting. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Ken Smith stated that the Community Crossing Grant recipients are going to be announced soon.

A resident expressed concern over houses in poor shape, in town. The Council advised the resident to file an official complaint form.

Council President Cameron Emond read Resolution 2025-03-4 to appoint Karie Holder as the Clerk Treasurer. Council Member Michael Johnson made a motion to approve Resolution 2025-03-4. Council Vice President Betty Hoster second the motion. Motion carried 5-0.

Meeting adjourned.