The Winamac Park Board will likely contribute financially to the Memorial Swinging Bridge Project, but how much and where that money would come from still remain to be seen.
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Funding arrangements for Highway Department equipment and jail repairs were considered by the Pulaski County Council last week. Council members agreed to transfer money within the Cumulative Bridge Fund to allow the Highway Department to continue to rent a mini-excavator until the end of the year.
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The Pulaski County Council and Commissioners are each asking the other group for direction on courthouse security. Last week, the commissioners indicated that they’re ready to act on the issue. But during Monday’s county council meetings, Council Member Kathi Thompson pointed out that it hasn’t been factored into the 2020 budget proposal.
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The Pulaski County Council continues working on the 2020 budget, but more cuts still need to be made. The goal is to try to bring the county’s spending back to 2016 levels, since that was the last time the county brought in more than it spent.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council may not have been looking closely enough at hiring in recent years. During Monday’s discussion on the county’s finances, Council Member Ken Boswell pointed out that a hiring freeze from a decade ago is actually still in effect.
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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.”
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Funding for work at the Pulaski County Justice Center will apparently be appropriated one bill at a time. Earlier this month, Maintenance Director Mia Salyers told the county commissioners that the building’s fire alarm upgrades ended up costing $10,000 more than expected and Sheriff Jeff Richwine had offered to cover about $6,700 of that out of his department’s Misdemeanant Fund.
Continue readingPulaski County officials continue to voice concerns with the county’s IT arrangements, but organizing a discussion is proving to be a challenge. Some county council members had wanted to discuss IT plans with the county commissioners and had apparently asked to have it included on Monday’s joint session agenda. But when it was sent out, the only item listed was the approval of the prior joint session minutes.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Council is hoping to cut budgets, adjust the salary matrix, and start reconfiguring the county’s tax structure, all within the next month or so. Council members will continue discussing potential budget cuts with department heads tonight and next Monday at 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage. During last week’s special session, Council Member Kathi Thompson said there are still several departments they need to see.
Continue readingAfter the Pulaski County Commissioners disbanded the county’s IT Department, the county council continues trying to figure out how to cover technology costs going forward.
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The Pulaski County Council narrowly approved a list of tax abatement renewals Monday, despite concerns about one business’s compliance. FRATCO’s paperwork drew the attention of Council Member Kathi Thompson. She pointed out that while the business was meeting its requirement for the number of employees, the total salaries that were listed fell short of projections.
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Some Pulaski County Highway Department employees will have to wait a bit longer before finding out whether they’ll get a pay raise. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff asked the county council last week for a final decision on the pay rate for seasonal employees. “The seasonal is the mower guys and what we’re doing, the blacktop and everything, in the summertime,” Ruff explained.
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Pulaski County could get another $40,000 in highway funding by having a highway engineer. County Council Member Kathi Thompson raised the possibility with the county commissioners last week.
Continue readingPulaski County government offices with technology needs will now have to find money to pay for them out of their own budgets. For the past few years, those expenses had come under the IT Department’s budget, but it was recently disbanded, after it apparently used up all its money for the year. Last week, the commissioners officially voted to have individual departments cover their own IT costs, until they can reach a long-term solution.
Continue readingA study on the possible preservation of the Pulaski County Courthouse has begun. Last week, representatives from architectural firm Rowland Design and Indiana Landmarks joined county officials for a tour and discussion of the building.
Continue readingAn ordinance paving the way for a potential property tax increase was adopted by the Pulaski County Council Monday, but not without some opposition. The county council voted four-to-two to “thaw” the county’s property tax levy freeze. That means the tax levy may increase within the limits set by the state’s growth quotient.
Continue readingAs the Pulaski County Council works to avert a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years, members want to meet with department heads to discuss potential budget cuts. During last week’s regular meeting, council members spent over 20 minutes trying to schedule a round of preliminary budget meetings, before the usual budget discussions in August.
Continue readingBefore the Pulaski County Council finalized one request for additional funds for Superior Court Pauper Counsel, Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher was already asking for more money.
Continue readingThe Pulaski County Commissioners decided Monday to move ahead with some office relocations, but not without a heated discussion about the county’s facilities. The commissioners voted to temporarily move the Assessor’s Office from the basement of the courthouse upstairs to the commissioners’ current meeting room.
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The Pulaski County Commissioners are expected to choose a lawn care contractor this morning. Three companies have submitted bids for mowing and other services at various county properties. Maintenance Director Mia Salyers is expected to make a recommendation today.
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