Pulaski County officials say they’ve figured out a way to cover inmate housing fees using money that’s already in the budget.
Continue readingPulaski County Finds Funds to House Inmates Out-of-County
Inmate Behavior, Sentencing Delays Prompt Funding Request from Pulaski Sheriff’s Department
Jail inmates’ behavioral issues have led to some extra costs for Pulaski County. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council last week that he’s sent two inmates to the Indiana Department of Correction, since the county jail staff is no longer able to handle them.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Additional Appropriation for Library Lead, Asbestos Remediation
The first phase of funding for lead dust and asbestos remediation at the Pulaski County Public Library was approved by the county council Monday. Council members voted six-to-one to let the library spend $25,000 out of its Rainy Day Fund, to help cover engineering and testing costs.
Continue readingFiscal Plan, Courthouse Study Proposal to be Presented to Pulaski Council, Commissioners Tonight
Pulaski County officials will get their first look at the county’s new fiscal plan tonight. Last year, the county hired consultant Jeffrey Peters to look at the county’s finances and recommend adjustments to its tax structure, to make it more sustainable going forward.
Continue readingPulaski County Coroner’s Office to Transfer Funds to Cover Chief Deputy’s Raise
Now that Pulaski County Chief Deputy Coroner Jon Frain has finally gotten his pay raise, county officials now have to figure out where the money is going to come from. Last month, the county council voted to pay the chief deputy 82 percent of the coroner’s salary, which more than quadrupled Frain’s pay rate to almost $8,100 a year. While the Coroner’s Office had about $8,000 budgeted for that purpose in previous years, that figure had been cut to match Frain’s previous pay rate.
Continue readingPulaski County Library Looking to Issue Bond, Tap Rainy Day Fund for Lead, Asbestos Cleanup
Upgrades to the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac are going to end up costing far more than originally thought.
Continue readingPulaski Superior Court Requests More Money for Witness Fees, Examination of Prisoners, Pauper Counsel
Just a few weeks into 2019, Pulaski Superior Court has already used up its annual budget for examination of prisoners and witness fees. Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher told the county council and commissioners Monday that the two line items had a combined $3,000 budgeted for this year. That money is used to hire doctors for the process of determining whether defendants are competent to stand trial.
Continue readingVote to Add New Secretary for Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office Ends in Tie
The addition of a new secretary for the Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office appears to depend on a recommendation from the county commissioners, after the county council was once again unable to reach a clear consensus Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes to Give Chief Deputy Coroner a Pay Raise
After months of discussions, the Pulaski County Council has finally agreed to give the chief deputy coroner a pay raise. Council members voted six-to-one Monday to pay the chief deputy coroner 82 percent of what the coroner makes. That will amount to almost $8,100 a year, which is more than four times the current pay level. Mike Tiede cast the lone opposing vote.
Continue readingCulver School Board Again Makes Arrangements for Bus Purchase, Following Procedural Error
The Culver Community Schools Corporation’s purchase of a new bus hit another procedural snag that had to be corrected by the school board Thursday. School officials have decided to replace an extra bus this year. The bus in question was originally scheduled for replacement in 2020.
Culver Town Council Members Informed about Upcoming Budget Requests
Culver Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim notified the town council members this week that several additional appropriations will be before them for approval in November.
Pulaski County Council Takes Steps to Make Donation Funds Available for EMS Department’s Use
After a couple left almost $30,000 to the Pulaski County EMS Department in their will, county officials are now taking steps to allow that money to be used. EMS Director Bryan Corn asked the county council this month to formally incorporate that money into his budget. “Just a little over a month ago, I believe, we received a check,” he explained. “It was a donation from the estate of a Henry and Alice Mooi. That total comes out to $29,901.71. That is strictly to be used for the EMS Department only, and that is strictly to be used for equipment for the EMS Department.”
Pulaski County Council Considers Budget Transfer, Additional Appropriation Requests
Funding for Pulaski County’s fiscal plan, the courthouse elevator replacement project, and reassessment expenses was among the transfer and additional appropriation requests brought to the county council last week. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer explained that he has $50,000 budgeted annually for potential land acquisition. But since the CDC won’t be needing it for that purpose, the county council agreed to let him make $36,000 of that available for the fiscal plan. The county commissioners have since decided to hire Peters Municipal Consultants for a cost not to exceed $24,000.
Culver School Board Makes Arrangements for Bus Purchase
The Culver Community Schools Corporation is looking to replace an extra school bus this year. Bus 24 was scheduled to be replaced in 2020, but school officials have decided to move that forward, according to Treasurer Casey Howard. The school board took steps to make funds available earlier this month. But Howard told board members this week that the 2018 through 2030 bus replacement plan had to be amended before the state would allow the additional appropriation. The school board passed a resolution Monday to accept the amended plan.
Pulaski Council Approves Funding Arrangements for 911 Center Phone Upgrades, New Body Cameras
The Pulaski County Council is making funding arrangements for new communications equipment for the Sheriff’s Department. Plans call for upgrades to the 911 center’s phone system, new body cameras and portable radios for the deputies, new video editing software, and cloud storage.
Starke County Council Discusses Additional Appropriation Resolution
The Starke County Council members discussed an additional appropriation resolution Monday night.
Pulaski County Council Not Ready to Make Building Department Assistant Full-Time
Pulaski County Building Department Assistant Karla Kreamer will apparently remain at part-time status for now. After multiple lengthy discussions Monday, the county council decided not to take any action to change her employment to full-time, despite a favorable recommendation from the county commissioners.
Pulaski County Council, Commissioners Approve Vehicle Purchase for Prosecutor’s Office
The Pulaski County Prosecutor’s Office is getting a new investigator vehicle. Prosecutor Dan Murphy plans to get a 2019 Dodge Charger from Braun. “We’ll have about a $12,000 discount buying it through that program that the State Police use for vehicles,” Murphy told the county council Monday. Once the discount, trade-in, and the addition of a police package are taken into account, the final cost is around $26,400.
Hamlet Council Arranges Financing for Road Work to be Done by County Highway Department
The Hamlet Town Council approved funding arrangements Wednesday for some upcoming street repairs. Council member Brian Earnest said the town’s identified four sections of road in need of work, with the repairs to be done by the Starke County Highway Department. “The roads that they found were Maple Street from Plymouth Street to Oak Street, Madison Street from Hamlet to Main, Davis Street from Division to Lincoln, and Main Street from Terry to Madison. Those were the four roads,” he said. Continue reading
Pulaski County Officials Continue Working on Masonic Lodge Purchase
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is pushing the county council and commissioners to finalize the purchase of the former Winamac Masonic Lodge as close to the original deadline as possible. Last month, the council and commissioners approved a joint ordinance to purchase the building for $50,000 from the Royal Center Masonic Lodge. The plan is to convert it into a dedicated morgue and coroner’s office, which the county has lacked until now.
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