A small group of Carmi Township residents attended the annual and monthly meeting Tuesday night.
The topic that garnered most of the conversation was the possibility of the Township buying a vehicle for the office employees, which are two individuals. Township Assessor Amy Edwards could use it only for Township-related business.
Supervisor Pam Deig explained that she added the thought of purchasing a vehicle for the staff due to them driving around Carmi, to Crossville, and to annual meetings and trainings up in Effingham and Springfield instead of using their personal car.
“I think we do a lot of business running back and forth for GA. We do outreach for GA. We also go to other local businesses, accounting, and banks. Because I’m not here, and a lot of stuff has to be done, and I’m not here through the week or the day. So the girls are doing a lot of that, and I think it would be nice to have a small vehicle for the office.”
The Township trustees expressed reservations, particularly regarding the lack of mileage records. They pointed out that neither of the Township office employees has ever documented or submitted the mileage they use daily on their personal vehicles, which raises questions about the potential cost-effectiveness of purchasing a new vehicle.
Mike Baxley, Brian Atteberry, and Adam Winkleman shared the same concerns.
Baxley: “But to buy a vehicle without knowing how many miles you’re putting on, we have no idea how many miles you guys are using.”
Winkleman: “That might be something to document over the next six months.”
Atteberry: “Other than when you go to your conferences, I’d say the mileage is gonna be nil; I mean, you know, it’s not gonna be, but I’m not saying it’s a bad idea; I don’t think the mileage is gonna add up.”
Another concern about buying a vehicle was the insurance situation. Baxley asked Deig if TOIRMA, the insurance company Carmi Township uses, would cover the office employees’ vehicles. Deig was unsure of the answer and said she did not think so since it was not a company car. Attorney Greg Stewart commented that the board would need more information from TOIRMA for liability purposes if something were to happen.
The main point of the conversation was how important it was for the two employees to be reimbursed for their mileage. Deig was evidently surprised by the trustees’ resistance.
Atteberry: “Regardless of what is decided, whoever is staff driving should be reimbursed for the mileage.”
Deig: “And I don’t have a problem with doing that either. I just was looking at what about a small-town car for the Township. I didn’t know it was going to be pushback.”
Atteberry: “You might, too, if you start documenting it, then you’ve got record. You know? And now you look at that as far as, is there a need or not and we justify this expense. You know, it’s more of an informed decision at that point.”
Deig: “Well, I agree, but if I didn’t see the need, I wouldn’t ask. So, you know, I feel like my judgment on it was pretty good. And we’re very fiscally sound on it. And we just don’t usually spend money for, you know, just unnecessary.”
No members budged on the idea of soliciting for a vehicle. The item was tabled until next month or until the June meeting when the newly elected members will join Deig and Baxley; those include Shelly Cross-Buchanan, Wailin Chapman, and Tim Scates.
Another item on the agenda for the Township meeting that all members agreed on was opposing the consolidation of Townships.
In department reports, Amy Edwards was not in attendance but did send hers in. Reassessments were done at residences on Plum and Main Streets, one on Oak due to an apartment being added, and one on Paint Creek because there was no record of the inside being completely renovated, and it sold twice for more than what was in their books. Road Commissioner Chris McEwing updated the board that the flashing lights were installed at Brownsville School. Lastly, for the monthly meeting, Deig reviewed the General Assistance of $2,951.84 that went towards helping the 15 sign-ins the Township had for March.
During the annual Township meeting, Deig went over how much the Township gained and disbursed for 2024-2025. The Township gained $880,776.03, and $752,807.83 was spent for the year; $38,281.18 was given for General Assistance, and donations went to We Love White County for $3,000 and the White County Senior Citizens for $2,000.
Two transfers within the Township funds were approved. $113,000 was moved to the Permanent Road Fund to cover future road condition expenses. The other is also for the Road Department. McEwing presented photographs to the board members showing the need for upgrades within his department. The road building desperately needs a new roof due to leaks in several places and a building to hold the salt for the Township because housing that much salt in an enclosed space damages over time. Members of the Township agreed to transfer $50,000 to the Road Fund to help cover some of the costs. McEwing did not have any price examples of how much the roof or adding a new building would cost.
The next meeting for the Township will be on May 13th at 6 pm.
