Plans to renovate the Pulaski County Courthouse and expand the Pulaski County Justice Center took another step forward last week. The county commissioners chose a process for the project’s management, selecting the construction manager as constructor option.
Continue readingPulaski Council, Commissioners to Discuss Courthouse Renovation Financing Tonight
Financing for the proposed renovation of the Pulaski County Courthouse will be discussed during a joint county council and commissioners meeting tonight. County Attorney Kevin Tankersley and representatives from law firm Barnes & Thornburg will discuss bond counsel.
Continue readingRep. Gutwein Introduces Bill to Help Fund Pulaski County Courthouse Renovations
Now that the Pulaski County Commissioners have recommended a path forward for courthouse renovations, discussions about how to fund it will begin in the county council and the Indiana General Assembly. State Representative Doug Gutwein has introduced legislation that would allow a special income tax that’s currently in place to pay for the Justice Center to be extended until 2036 to fund courthouse renovations.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Hold Public Hearing, Decide on Tax Adjustments Tonight
The Pulaski County Council will vote on adjustments to the county’s tax structure tonight. Under the proposed ordinance, wage earners who live in Pulaski County would pay a slightly lower local income tax rate starting January 1. But those owning non-homestead property there would see their property taxes go up.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Once Again Requests More Time to Consider Tax Changes
The Pulaski County Council wants a few more days to consider what direction to take on potential tax adjustments. The county currently has the highest income tax rate in the state, but one of the lowest property tax rates. Council members have been looking at ways to balance those, while also preparing for the end of the special income tax that was put in place to pay for the Justice Center but also covers a large portion of jail operations.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Still Considering Changes to Local Income Tax Structure
With time running out, the Pulaski County Council is still struggling to agree on a clear direction, when it comes to adjusting the county’s income taxes. Consultant Jeffrey Peters has suggested lowering the portion of income taxes designed to offset property taxes, but raising other types of income taxes to help with operations.
Continue readingFinancial Consultant Revises Proposed Pulaski County Courthouse Renovation’s Impact on Taxpayers
The Pulaski County Council is getting a clearer picture of the financial impact of a potential courthouse renovation project. Financial consultant Jeffrey Peters presented some revised estimates Monday, based on the most recent renovation plans presented by Rowland Design.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Gets Breakdown of Recent Years’ Spending Increases
The Pulaski County Council got a closer look at recent spending increases Monday. Consultant Jeffrey Peters pointed out that while the county government’s annual income has remained just above $10 million over the past six years, spending went from just over $10 million in 2016 to almost $12.5 million in 2018.
Continue readingPulaski Council Aiming to Return Spending to 2016 Levels, as Budget Balancing Efforts Continue
As Pulaski County looks for a way to get its finances back on track, officials’ next step may be to look back at 2016 spending. Consultant Jeffrey Peters told the county council Monday that was the last time revenue exceeded expenditures. “In 2016, you brought in a little above $10 million, you spent about $10 million,” he explained. “This year, we anticipate your revenue stream would be about $10 million.”
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Meet with Fiscal Planning Consultant, Hold Budget Hearings
The Pulaski County Council is meeting one more time with its fiscal planning consultant before officially getting to work on the 2020 budget today. Consultant Jeffrey Peters is scheduled to give council members an update on his findings this morning at 8:00 EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage.
Continue readingPulaski County Residents Suggest Researching County Manager Position, As Fiscal Concerns Continue
As Pulaski County continues working to address its fiscal challenges, a group of residents thinks that hiring a county manager could be a potential solution. Group representative Courtney Poor read a prepared statement to the county council and commissioners during Monday’s joint session.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Votes to Release Fiscal Plan to Public
Pulaski County’s preliminary fiscal plan is now officially public record. The county council voted unanimously last week to authorize Auditor Laura Wheeler to release the plan to members of the public, if requested.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Agrees to Spend Up to Another $10,000 on Fiscal Planning
The Pulaski County Council has agreed to spend up to another $10,000 to continue its fiscal planning process. Member Ken Boswell told the rest of the council Monday that the county has reached the limit of its initial agreement with Peters Municipal Consultants.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considering Ordinance to ‘Thaw’ Property Tax Freeze
Pulaski County landowners may be paying more in property taxes next year. An ordinance that would “thaw” the county’s property tax levy freeze was presented during Monday’s county council meeting. That means the county’s tax levy would be able to increase, within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
Continue readingPulaski County Officials to Research Tax Adjustments, Spending Cuts, As Fiscal Planning Continues
Pulaski County officials may soon be asking state lawmakers to help balance out the county’s tax structure. The county currently has one of the highest income tax rates in the state but relatively low property taxes. But fiscal planning consultant Jeffrey Peters told the county council and commissioners Monday that simply replacing income taxes with property taxes isn’t always possible.
Continue readingPulaski County Council, Commissioners to Hold Special Meeting on County Finances Tonight
Pulaski County officials will continue discussing ways to stabilize the county’s finances tonight. Tax revenues aren’t keeping up with expenditures in many of the county’s funds, according to fiscal planning consultant Jeffrey Peters.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Budget Transfer to Help with Human Services Van Purchase
Pulaski County Human Services will be able to get a new van, thanks to some financial help from the county. The county council recently approved the transfer of $7,000 out of the Community Development Commission’s Land Acquisition line item, to help cover the local match.
Continue readingPulaski County Officials Consider Funding Options for Potential Courthouse Project
How Pulaski County would pay for the rehabilitation or replacement of the courthouse was discussed during Monday’s joint council and commissioners meeting.
Continue readingFirst Part of Fiscal Plan Presented to Pulaski County Council, Commissioners
Pulaski County could see annual funding shortfalls of $2.7 million within the next few years, if it remains on its current financial path. Consultant Jeffrey Peters presented the first part of a fiscal plan to the county council and commissioners Monday.
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 reading