Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson could soon have a new-to-him, county-issued vehicle. County Council President Freddie Baker says the one he’s currently driving is “junk.” He says Stephenson recently could not get it to go over 30 miles per hour and nearly got stranded recently. Baker says Stephenson also has to use his wife’s car because his county vehicle was not running.
Baker has spoken to Auditor Kay Chaffins, who toffered $19,000 from her budget to purchase a vehicle for the building inspector. Baker says it doesn’t have to be new, just decent looking and functional.
Councilman Dave Pearman noted such requests typically start with the commissioners, who then make a recommendation to the council as to whether or not funds should be appropriated. Baker said he spoke with Commissioner Kathy Norem about it. Cambe Chevrolet has been contacted and might be able to provide an acceptable used vehicle within that price range.
Norem suggested Councilman Bryan Cavender and Commissioner Don Binkley, who represent their respective bodies on the plan commission, see what kind of vehicle they can find to meet the building inspector’s needs.
Pearman’s motion to appropriate the money from the auditor’s budget with the caveat that it be approved by the commissioners and committee formed to find a vehicle or two, if possible, and be purchased locally.
The issue came up at the last regular council meeting of 2016 and was fast-tracked due to the end of the county’s fiscal year.
