The Bartholomew County Council is back in budget talks Tuesday afternoon. County Commissioners are expected to take part in that meeting after council members asked them on Friday to take steps to help shore-up next year’s budget, including transferring money out of the CEDIT fund, which is used to take care of county roads. Commissioners met Monday morning to discuss the request. Larry Kleinhenz wasn’t pleased…

Commissioners noted that it takes one-million-dollars to pave 17 miles of county roads. Commissioner Carl Lienhoop stressed that the county needs to spend approximately $2.1 million each year to maintain the correct amount of roads to keep from falling behind and allowing the roads to fall into disrepair.

Kleinhenz says that the council has to do something to get its budget under control, noting the clear distinctions between the duties of the council and those of the commissioners…

President Rick Flohr says the Commissioners just recently gave up several hundred-thousand dollars…

The commissioners were also asked by the council to set aside more that 550-thousand dollars for radios and body cameras for the Sheriff’s Department. The council asked for the money to come out of the Telecommunication Fund, which is controlled by the commissioners. Kleinhenz says that public safety is paid for out of property taxes…

Tuesday’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. on the fourth floor of the county government building. You’re invited.