Starke County Council Transfers Nearly $200,000 to Rainy Day Fund
After failing to reach a quorum at their last meeting, the Starke County Council last night met once again before the end of the year to wrap up end-of-year business. Council President David Pearman passed out a spreadsheet detailing county budgets and line items with what the council expected to be leftover funds at the end of the year – funds which, if nothing is done with, would disappear.
American Oak To Develop Industrial Park Property
The Starke County Council last week passed a motion to approve a proposed ordinance to allow American Oak to develop property in the North Judson Industrial Park.
Council President David Pearman says this is a great opportunity to expand the development in the industrial park. He says next to the American Oak property is some land with a lot of scrub trees, and American Oak is interested in putting some money into that property.
Starke County Council Considers Purchase Of New Tax Software
The Starke County Council discussed the purchase of new software for the Sheriff’s Department to help automate tax warrants and the cash books.
Starke County Council President David Pearman said the biggest concern is the cost for both components which were explained in the proposal given by Rick Culiver from Lieberman Technologies.
“The biggest issue is that it has a pretty substantial cost behind it and it has a pretty substantial maintenance cost,” said Pearman.
Starke County Council Approves Save The Hospital Funds For Facility Study
The Starke County Council in a super-majority vote this week approved an amendment to the Save the Hospital Fund that would allow up to $50,000 to be used on a study that would assess the value of the property and operations of IU Health Starke Hospital. IU Health La Porte has been in a lease agreement with the county, but has expressed interest in purchasing the facility.
“We’re going to select a consultant with specific expertise and knowledge in this type of release,” said Council President David Pearman. “It has to be a similar situation where a county has decided to get out of the hospital business.”
Pearman expressed his opinion at this week’s meeting that it is probably better if the county gets out of the healthcare business.
Starke County Officials Discuss Housing Prisoners in Pulaski County
Starke County government officials this week discussed finances as they apply to county jail inmates being housed at the Pulaski County Jail.
With the Starke County Jail being rated for only 62 prisoners and the population approaching 80 at times, Commissioner Kathy Norem and Sheriff Oscar Cowen have been looking at ways to solve the problem – but that takes extra funds to pay Pulaski County and transport the prisoners back and forth.
Council President David Pearman explained that this is the most cost-effective solution they have found so far.
Starke County Jail Committee Evaluates Public Informational Meetings
The Starke County Jail Committee recently evaluated the public informational meetings held in January. Those meetings were held in Knox, North Judson and Hamlet.
County Council President, David Pearman, is on the Jail Committee and said the meetings were very informative.
Starke County Council Reorganizes, Makes Appointments
After serving five years as the Starke County Council President, Mark Smith announced before yesterday’s reorganization meeting that he would not stand for reelection. David Pearman was elected the President and Mitch Semans the Vice President. Attorney Martin Lucas was retained as the council attorney.
In appointments:
Mitch Semans accepted both the Starke County Economic Development position and the Council’s seat on the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission.
Tony Radkiewicz was named to the Solid Waste Board.
Judy Benninghoff remained on the Planning Commission.
Ken Wallace was reappointed to the Alcohol Beverage Commission Board.
Starke County Commissioners Approve Purchase of Ambulance
Councilman David Pearman commented on the issue that when county begins making ALS runs, that is going to open up a new revenue source, but at the same time there will be more activity for the rigs. Pearman also noted that there are many municipalities that are privatizing their ambulance service, so there as some quality used rigs available if they can just be found.
Commissioner Dan Bridegroom said that the ambulances the county currently owns need to be thoroughly checked for issues, but it’s hard to take them out of service to do so. Another issue is that with the older rigs, parts are not always available.
A motion was made to seek the transfer of the money for the purchase of the new rig or two used ones by Commissioner Jennifer Davis. The motion was approved unanimously.
Starke County Ambulance Service Discussed by Commissioners, Council
Is Starke County going to get out of the ambulance business? That was one of the questions several County Councilmen and one Commissioner attempted to answer this week.
Getting out of the ambulance business was only one of the proposals made in a session on upgrading the county’s ambulance capabilities to Advance Life Service (ALS) status.
Bill Dulin Finishes Term on Starke County Council
Three of the four Starke County Councilmen going off the board at the end of the year attended their last meeting December 20th. Dan Awald was not present. Bill Dulin is one of the Council members leaving, after 2 years on the board.
“I enjoyed getting to know people on a personal basis and trying to deal with them through this side of it,” Dulin replied after being asked his feelings as he leaves office. “It was pretty enjoyable and I’m grateful to be able to serve on the Council the way that we did.”
Bill Dulin will be replaced by David Pearman.
Newly Elected Starke County Officials to go through Orientation
Orientation for newly elected officials in Starke County will be held Tuesday, December 21st, from 9:00-11:00 a.m. A tentative agenda will be emailed to all existing department heads who are invited to attend.
New Council members are David Pearman, Mitchell Semans, Anthony Radkiewicz, and Marvin McLaughlin. They will be going into office after January 1st. Also invited to attend is newly elected Prosecutor, Nicholas Bourff.
