The Starke County Council members considered an additional appropriation request made by the Starke County Commissioners for funds to cover some bills for radio communications and building maintenance.
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem explained they’re asking for an appropriation of about $36,300 from the County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) fund.
“The reason why we’re asking for that is we’re out of Cumulative Capital Development Funds until we get our next draw,” said Norem. “Rather than putting it into negative territory, which will put us behind the eight ball right off the bat, we prefer to take this from CEDIT.”
The funds will pay for bills for different needs.
“We’re asking for $2,700 for Royal Star Builders [Solid Waste Building construction], and $3,252 for Jackson Refrigeration, which is for repair of the cooler at the coroner’s office. We also have a total of $30,362 for radios. That is divided between Bartronics at $395, J&K Communication $28,688 and Miner Electronics which is $1,279.”
After further discussion about the bill from J&K Communications, the council decided to pay the old bill which is about $23,000 and hold off on the rest of the payment until a comparison of work done and the itemized bill per fire department be scrutinized a little more closely.
The council approved the payment for Bartronics, Miner Electronics, Jackson Refrigeration and Royal Star Builders.
The council members also approved a transfer of $3,000 for part-time help in the maintenance department. They also voted in favor of creating a temporary part-time fund in the budget to accommodate the change. That part-time employee will only work three days a week until the maintenance director returns to work.
