Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh will present three quotes for a replacement ambulance to the county council when they meet this evening. He told the county commissioners two weeks ago the rig at the Grovertown base recently underwent significant repairs and has since lost a cylinder. The county purchased the 2009 Ford truck used. Emigh is also looking into repair costs for the rig.
In other business, the council will adopt the county’s 2016 budget along with spending plans for the airport and environmental management district. Sheriff Bill Dulin and Merit Board President Ed Troike will also ask the council for permission to hire an attorney on retainer. The county commissioners will also ask the council to appropriate county economic development income tax funds, and the council will amend the 2015 salary ordinance to reflect a reduction in pay for new IT Director Brian Pinson. The council meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the annex building and will be followed by the commissioners at 6.
Their agenda includes a request from the sheriff to establish a convicted inmate booking fee and a request from Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler to create 2016 budget employee positions. Neither Ritzler nor Commissioner Kathy Norem were present at the last meeting. President of the Commissioners Kent Danford and Commissioner Donnie Binkley felt the request to create new crew leader positions within the department would make the management structure too top heavy. Ritzler will also discuss price quotes on equipment.
Other items on the commissioners agenda include a request to buy a new copier for Starke Circuit Court and approval of the 2016 holiday calendar.
