Starke County Highway Department Superintendent Rachel Oesterreich presented two requests to the Starke County Commissioners and the Starke County Council members during their December meetings.
She asked to purchase a different vehicle for use by the sign technician. She requested the purchase of a used ambulance as it is earlier for the technician to make signs or repairs in an enclosed vehicle on site for safety purposes. The highway department had been using a retired Starke County EMS ambulance for this work, but the vehicle has suffered transmission failures and other issues that does not make it road worthy any longer.
The technician had been using a pick-up truck but Oesterreich said she would like to return that vehicle to the normal fleet for daily operations.
She presented a quote for $15,000 and another for $20,000 for used ambulances from Osage out of Minnesota and the commissioners unanimously approved the higher amount as it has a bigger motor. Oesterreich said the money would come out of the Local Roads and Streets fund in 2025. The Starke County Council also unanimously approved the purchase during their meeting.
She also requested to purchase 36” culverts and 48” culverts to have in stock when the start of the spring season provides for that work to be done in 2025. The total cost was $18,619.50 and will come out of the Cumulative Bridge Fund. The commissioners and council members unanimously approved the request as presented during their respective meetings.
