The Pulaski County Council finalized over a million dollars in additional appropriations Monday, but not without a debate on funding for COVID-19 response. The county’s Incident Management Team asked for almost $48,000, the amount that was left unspent from last year’s $100,000 additional appropriation. But with only about $2,400 actually being spent on PPE last year, Council Member Rudy DeSabatine wasn’t comfortable approving the entire request at once.
Continue readingPulaski Council to Vote on Over $1 Million in Additional Appropriation Requests Tonight
More than $1 million in additional appropriations will be up for the Pulaski County Council’s final approval tonight. Many of those are appropriations that were approved last year but weren’t entirely spent by December 31. A lot of that is to cover up-front costs for various projects that can be reimbursed from other funding sources later.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considers Over $1 Million in Additional Appropriation Requests
Just a month into 2021, the Pulaski County Council is already considering more than a million dollars in additional appropriations. Many of those are additionals that were approved last year but weren’t entirely spent before December 31.
Continue readingNew Pulaski County Commissioners President Presents Maintenance, IT Restructuring Proposals
The new president of the Pulaski County Board of Commissioners is laying out his proposals to overhaul the Maintenance Department and IT services. Chuck Mellon shared his ideas with the rest of the commissioners last week.
Continue readingPulaski County Leaders Split on Need for Workforce Study
Pulaski County leaders remain split on the need for an outside analysis of the county government’s pay scales and staffing. Accounting firm Baker Tilly has offered to do the first phase of the study for $30,000, about a $5,000 decrease from last year’s proposal, according to Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer.
Continue readingBoswell Narrowly Retained As Pulaski County Council President
The Pulaski County Council narrowly decided to keep the same president for another year. Ken Boswell was reelected to the position last week by a vote of four-to-three, over Rudy DeSabatine. DeSabatine was then nominated for another year as vice-president, but was defeated by new council member Adam Loehmer, also by a vote of four-to-three.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Could Choose Project Construction Manager Today
Pulaski County’s Courthouse renovation and Justice Center expansion projects could take another step forward this morning. The county commissioners will consider the hiring of a construction manager. The committees set up to review the proposals have recommended Tonn & Blank Construction for both projects, and the county council added its support last week.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Members Express Support for Project Construction Manager Recommendation
Pulaski County Council members are joining in recommending Tonn & Blank Construction to oversee the Courthouse renovation and Justice Center expansion projects, but not without a lengthy discussion on a proposed work release facility.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Consider Re-Appropriating Unspent Money for COVID-19 Response
The Pulaski County Council is looking to carry over spending permission for the county’s COVID-19 response into 2021, but not without some questions about that money’s oversight.
Continue readingNew Members to Take Seats on Pulaski County Council Tonight
The Pulaski County Council’s two newest members will take their seats for the first time tonight. Adam Loehmer and Tim Overmyer were elected last year, replacing Jay Sullivan and Scott Hinkle, who did not seek reelection.
Continue readingPulaski County Coroner Still Ineligible for Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits following County Council Decision
Efforts to bring the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office in line with other county departments moved forward slightly last month, but the county council stopped short of offering the coroner health insurance and retirement benefits. Council members agreed to let County Attorney Kevin Tankersley add the Coroner’s Office to the county handbook and review a proposed job description for a part-time deputy.
Continue readingTonn & Blank Recommended to Oversee Pulaski County Courthouse, Justice Center Projects
The Pulaski County Courthouse renovation and Justice Center expansion continue to move closer to the construction phase. The committees set up to review proposals from potential construction managers have recommended Tonn & Blank Construction to oversee both projects.
Continue readingOutgoing Pulaski County Officials, Knox School Board Members Recognized
The end of 2020 means the end of the terms of several long-serving elected officials who did not seek reelection. Jay Sullivan leaves the Pulaski County Council after 20 years in office, several of those as council president. He took time during his final meeting to thank the county’s citizens for giving him the honor of serving them.
Continue readingPulaski Commissioners Approve Morgue Usage Fee As COVID-19 Keeps Coroner’s Office Busy
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, state and local officials are making sure they have access to morgue space. Pulaski County Coroner Jon Frain told the county council and commissioners Monday that the Indiana Department of Homeland Security and neighboring counties have asked if they could rent space in Pulaski County’s morgue, if necessary.
Continue readingPulaski Council to Consider Coroner’s Office Pay and Benefit Adjustments Tonight
The Pulaski County Council will consider a few changes to the Coroner’s Office tonight. Coroner Jon Frain is asking to get the same health insurance and retirement benefits as the county’s other elected officials. As a first step, the county commissioners voted last month to recommend that the council make the coroner a full-time position.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Tax Abatement for Confined Feeding Operation
A confined hog feeding operation will be getting a tax break from Pulaski County. The county council voted six-to-one last week to grant a tax abatement for a facility being built by Derrick and Abbie Stalbaum in Rich Grove Township.
Continue readingCOVID-19 Challenges Hitting Pulaski County
Pulaski County residents are being urged to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Brian Ledley with the county’s incident management team says that not only has the county seen a dramatic increase in cases in recent weeks, but the out-of-town hospitals where Pulaski County typically sends its heart attack patients are filling up.
Continue readingPulaski County Battling Rapid Increase in COVID-19 Spread
Pulaski County officials are battling the rapidly increasing spread of COVID-19. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer gave an update on behalf of the incident management team to the county council Monday.
Continue readingPulaski Council to Consider Tax Abatement for Confined Feeding Operation Tonight
The Pulaski County Council will take comments tonight on a tax abatement request for a confined feeding operation. Derrick and Abbie Stalbaum are seeking a property tax abatement for a facility they’re building on County Road 1050 West in Rich Grove Township. A public hearing will be held before council members make a final decision.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Decide on Tax Abatement for Confined Feeding Operation Monday
A confined feeding operation being developed in rural Pulaski County could soon be getting a tax abatement. Derrick and Abbie Stalbaum are seeking a property tax abatement for a facility they’re building on County Road 1050 West in Rich Grove Township.
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