Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem presented a proposed budget for the Starke County Park Board last week and asked her fellow commissioners if they would support it.
The Park Board currently doesn’t have any funds. Norem explained that if the board members want to work on projects within the Park Board’s five year plan they should have some funding to commit to match money for any grants.
She proposed having $2,500 for a contracted secretary who would keep up with grants, record meeting minutes, update the website, and take control of a Facebook page. She also included $500 for office supplies, $2,500 to print maps for Bruce Wakeland to use to reference places of interest, and $30,000 for match money for grants. There are several state and federal grants the Park Board could be eligible for and that money would get things started.
In all, Norem would present a budget of $35,000 to the Starke County Park Board. The budget will also eventually be submitted to the Starke County Council for consideration.
She noted that it’s not necessary for the commissioners to support the budget, but asked if the commissioners would do it before she submits it to the Park Board. Commission President Charlie Chesak and Commissioner Bryan Cavender both agreed that it will help improve areas in the county for visitors and voted in support of the budget.
