Starke County Prosecutor Nicholas Bourff will be looking to purchase new computers for his staff.
He told the Starke County Council members on June 18 that the three computers used by the three prosecutors are not working properly along with the rest of the desktops in the office and in the child support office. Bourff said they’re the same computers he’s been using since at least 2011.
He added that several high profile jury trials are on the docket in the next month and he needs to have proper working equipment in order to present evidence to the jury during the trials.
Bourff presented several quotes for three laptops for the prosecutors and six desktops for the rest of his staff and child support. He also presented an alternate option with the replacement of the three laptops and three desktops for just his staff and not child support.
Councilman Dave Pearman commented that the purchase is a capital expenditure and should be considered by the commissioners first to be included in their list of capital projects for funding. Commissioner Kathy Norem, who was a member of the audience during the council meeting, noted that the commissioners weren’t aware of the need and they haven’t seen any paperwork on the request.
With that information, the council members unanimously voted to table the request until Bourff makes the formal presentation before the commissioners, as procedure suggests. He is anticipated to discuss this with the commissioners during their July 2 meeting.
