Carbondale Reporter

Village of De Soto Board of Trustees met March 21.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

President Douglas Hexamer called the second regular monthly meeting of the De Soto Village Board of Trustees to order at 7:00 P.M. Village Clerk Paula Parks was present to record the minutes.

Present: Brian Gleason Paulette Johnson

Doug Hexamer Jennifer Morgan

Cristy Desormeaux

Absent: Tony Rushing Eric Schuler

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Brian Gleason, to dispense with the reading of the minutes and to approve them. Motion carried.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the February Revenue report. Motion carried.

Motion made by Paulette Johnson, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to pay the list of bills. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Jennifer Morgan reported that the risk management insurance agent had notified the Village that, based on the latest appraisals by the insurance company, the Village is underinsured in some areas. Therefore, the insurance premium would increase this year by approximately $4,328.00 based on a pro-rated calculation. The premium for next year would increase by approximately $6,066.00. The increase for next year was not included in the proposed budget for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2022 and ending April 30, 2023. Trustee Morgan is reviewing the information.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Cristy Desormeaux, due to the insurance premium increase, to reduce Line Item 150-410 from $12,000.00 to $5,000.00 and to increase Line Item 150-422 from $40,000.00 to $47,000.00 and to approve the budget for the fiscal year beginning May 1, 2022 and ending April 30, 2023 as amended. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Trustee Paulette Johnson asked if funds were included in the new budget for replacing the flooring in the village hall. Estimates of cost from C&S Flooring installations were $21,200.00 for Lock N Fold Life Proof flooring and $18,453.00 for glue down tile. The cost had not been included in the proposed budget for next fiscal year. Trustee Johnson expressed her concern about the condition of the flooring in the village hall. Treasurer Dana Smith mentioned that funds from the General Fund Savings could be transferred to the General Fund to replace the flooring. However, the budget would have to be adjusted.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to rescind the previous motion approving the budget as amended.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Brian Gleason, due to the insurance premium increase, to reduce Line Item 150-410 from $12,000.00 to $5,000.00 and to increase Line Item 150-422 from $40,000.00 to $47,000.00 and to add a transfer of $22,000.00 to the General Fund from the General Fund Savings account and to approve the budget for fiscal year beginning May 1, 2022 and ending April 30, 2023 as amended. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

President Douglas Hexamer reported that Broadband of Indiana, a company based out of Paris, Tennessee, had looked at the De Soto Methodist Church Building for their business and planned to make an offer on the building. The company contracts with cable and internet providers to construct, install and maintain fiber optic lines for internet and cable. They would use the building for offices and the parking lot to park trucks and equipment. The company would start out with about five or six positions to be filled locally and eventually having about 20 or 25 positions. Regional Manager Josh Muench will attend a board meeting (TBD) to explain what the company plans to do.

Motion made by Jennifer Morgan, seconded by Brian Gleason, to allow the Jackson County Board to use the village hall as a polling place for Precincts 1 and 2 for the Primary Election June 28, 2022 and General Election November 8, 2022 and to waive the rental fee. Upon roll call vote: Brian Gleason – Yes; Paulette Johnson – Yes; Jennifer Morgan – Yes; Cristy Desormeaux – Yes. Motion carried.

Motion made by Cristy Desormeaux, seconded by Jennifer Morgan, to approve the application from Curtis Mardis for a ¾” water tap at 307 N. Oak St., Unit A. Motion carried.

Three applications for water meter reader had been received. A tentative Water Committee meeting was scheduled for Monday, April 4 at 5:30 PM to interview the applicants.

The next Village board meeting will be held Monday, April 4 at 7 PM at the village hall.

Motion made by Brian Gleason, seconded by Paulette Johnson, to adjourn at 8:22 PM. Motion carried.

https://villageofdesoto.com/uploads/1/2/5/0/125085618/minutes_3-21-22.pdf