Appropriation Clears Way for Highway Department Purchases

starke-county-courthouseThe Starke County Highway Department plans to make some facility updates and an equipment purchase with funds received throughout the year.

The county council Monday approved Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler’s additional appropriation request, which will clear the way for the expenditures. It’s a procedural step to move the money into the necessary account.

Ritzler cited receipts of $2,900 from utility permits, $4,249.53 for labor, interest of $41.50, scrap sales totaling $635.49 and other receipts from programs like Job Works, insurance refunds and Hamlet and Knox road work totaling $55,026.50, for a total of $62,853.02.

He’s proposing repairs and upgrades totaling $52,202.58. Projects include a new metal roof for the front office area at the highway department. C and C Services of Knox quoted $7,122.58 for the job.

Fata and Son in North Judson will resurface the main garage roof for a cost of $15,080. Ritzler also plans to buy a rear mounted boom mower for a John Deere 6105D tractor. The 17-foot mower with the 50-foot rotary cutter will cost $27,500.

The remaining $10,659.64 will be added to the Highway Rainy Day Fund.

The council approved the additional appropriation request unanimously.