Starke County department heads will soon begin work on their annual budgets for the upcoming year. Auditor Kay Chaffins says preliminary budgets need to be submitted to the state Department of Local Government Finance by the end of June. This will be the first budget session for Sheriff Bill Dulin and Clerk Vicki Cooley, both of whom were elected last fall and took office in January.
EMS Director Keith Emigh was promoted into that position last year after the budget was already put together. County council members note all three have seasoned staff members who can assist with the budget process. Chaffins and councilman Dave Pearman have also offered to help if needed. Council members did note department heads should not plan on spending additional money next year.
