The Starke County Council members opened a public hearing on the county’s proposed 2019 budget.
The proposed budget is $12,287,126 with the proposed levy at $5,812,188.
They approved a three percent pay increase pending the approval of the budget. The council may reduce that level, depending on the budget approval. The notice could come as early as December or as late as February. The state was tardy in getting notices out to county governments this year.
That increase, if ultimately approved at three percent, would be over $200,000.
The council anticipates adopting the budget on Monday, Oct. 15.
