Dubois County Council News and Notes

Dubois Co. - Monday evening, the Dubois County Council met for a regularly scheduled meeting with a full agenda.

The Council discussed a wide variety of topics.

New Ambulance for EMS

Ryan Young, representing Emergency Medical Services, gave a detailed update on the delivery of an already ordered ambulance. Young stated that the ambulance is due to be delivered soon after delays that pushed the initial delivery back from July 2021.

Young stated that the department also has two 2012 ambulances, of which they would like to explore replacing one.

The Council approved moving forward towards the advertisement phase, potentially adding $350,000 in a 2023 for a new vehicle.

Approving New Work Week for 911 Assistant Director

Stuart Wilson, Director of the Dubois County 911 Communication Center presented a proposal which had been accepted by the Board of Commissioners the previous week. Wilson wanted to simplify the payment and hours for the 911 Assistant Director.

Based on a six-week cycle, Wilson stated that the Assistant's average hours worked out to 37 and one-third hours weekly.

Wilson said that he needed more hours for the Assistant Director to cover for any illnesses or COVID contract tracing that may hit the department. In addition, he said, the process of tracking each one-third of an hour has become tedious.

The amendment to the salary ordinance was approved.

PRN for the Dubois County Health Department

Shawn Werner, Director of the Dubois County Health Department took the floor to share the on-going struggles of finding a Nurse for the department. Instead, Werner suggested that the department change the position to PRN and alter the salary offered.

The Council approved this request - the DCHD will now advertise a PRN position to pay $22.42 per hour.

The Council also approved a transfer of appropriations in relation to the change.

Purdue Extension Rent Increase

Chelsea Brewer with the Purdue Extension reported that the organization's rent had not increased at the current time due to pest control.

Brewer noted that the added pest control will cost approximately $230. Due to a missed February deadline, the Extension will ask for the equal amount of money in March.

Dubois County Sheriff's Department Vehicle Rotation

Dubois County Sheriff Tom Kleinhelter notified the Council of his intention to pursue trading in a 2016 Ford F-150 for a newer model to be driven by a Narcotics Officer. 

Kleinhelter has been quoted a bill for $23,000 after considering a trade-in. He has also been quoted $1,500 for the transfer of necessary equipment from one vehicle to another.