The Starke County Commissioners will resume their discussion of whether to offer Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term contract when they meet this evening. His is one of the jobs that is appointed annually by the commissioners. President Jennifer Davis is leading the charge to change that. She says doing so would ensure the long-range plan Ritzler has in place for road and bridge improvements is carried out. Making the change requires a unanimous vote of the commissioners. Kathy Norem is in favor of offering Ritzler a long-term contract, but fellow commissioner Kent Danford is not. He said in a previous meeting it could open a “can of worms.”
Other business on tonight’s commissioners agenda includes review of county employee health insurance quotes, adoption of a 2015 holiday calendar and setting a date for a certificate sale. The commissioners meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the county annex building.
The Starke County Council also meets this evening at 5:30 p.m. Their agenda includes adoption of a 2015 salary ordinance, discussion of the sheriff’s and police retirement contribution for 2014, the quarterly capital asset report from IU Health Starke Hospital and several transfer requests to close out budgets for the year.
