The Starke County Commissioners are poised to hire a new information technology director for the county when they meet tonight. They interviewed prospective candidates to replace longtime director Joe Short during an executive session meeting last week. Short is leaving the county to take a job in South Bend.
Their agenda also includes the awarding of a bridge replacement contract and the approval of supporting documents and discussion of a request from the Starke County Election Board to have the county highway department pave the parking lot at the Bass Lake Lions Club. It’s the polling site for North Bend Township. Several upgrades were made with funds from a Help America Vote Act grant to ensure it is accessible to all voters.
Assessor Rhonda Milner will discuss a new software contract with the commissioners. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver is also on the agenda to talk about a KIRPC application, and building/planning director Terry Stephenson will present information about an ordinance.
Prior to the commissioners meeting, the council meets at 5:30. They will conduct a public hearing on the county’s 2016 budget and discuss whether to give employees a percentage pay increase or use a longevity factor to set compensation. The council will also formally adopt the North Judson-San Pierre Schools budget and conduct non-binding reviews of county taxing units. Sheriff Bill Dulin will bring three appropriation requests before the council, and Milner will talk to them about her software purchase request. Both meetings will take place in the commissioners meeting room at the county annex building.