The Starke County Council members held several public hearings on budgets during their meeting on Monday night.
Charles Weaver, who is the legal representative for the Starke County Airport Board, said the airport budget is $1,777,921.
“We have to replace the card reading system for all fueling facilities,” said Weaver. “I think we’re pretty close to last year. Our total appropriation went up about $17,000. It’s pretty consistent to where we’ve been in the past.”
In addition, he said the airport board members recently signed a grant with the FAA to complete the runway extension project. There are also plans to apply for federal dollars with no match to triple the size of the aircraft apron. Another future project is to upgrade the T-hangars.
North Judson-San Pierre Corporation Business Manager and Treasurer Guy Richie and Superintendent Dr. Annette Zupin presented their total budget of about $12.1 million during a public hearing. Richie mentioned that there is a decrease of $200,000 in the 2019 budget compared to 2018. No public comment was given.
The Solid Waste Department 2019 budget of about $219,000 was also brought forward for public comment. Starke County Environmental Management Director Carrie Trent-Kuchel said one line item was increased.
“We just increased the recycling line item from $13,800 to $24,000. They are look at putting in a building and bins at the site [at the county highway garage] to control all of the illegal dumping,” commented Trent-Kuchel.
No public comment was given.
The newly-formed Koontz Lake Conservancy District will have an initial budget of $203,000 which will not exceed 16.5 cents of $100 of assessed valuation. The district’s purpose is to improve conditions in and around Koontz Lake. Once it becomes an elected board in a few years, the members will submit their own budget without going through the county process of budget adoption and public hearings. No public comment was given during the public hearing for the district’s budget.
All budget adoptions are scheduled during the county council meeting on Oct. 15.
