The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and other departments that have their vehicles services at the county highway garage will have to pay the county’s labor cost for maintenance and repairs. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler was advised by the State Board of Accounts the department either has to charge the full hourly rate or not do the work.
That’s because funds in the county’s Motor Vehicle Highway account can only be used for highway expenses. The county commissioners agree the $18.50 hourly rate the county charges is considerably less than they would pay elsewhere for service and repairs. Ritzler told them his department will bill hours based on the book rate.
