Pulaski County officials are holding an event this week to raise awareness of child abuse. “It is Thursday, April 19 at 12:30 at the Pulaski County Courthouse Lawn,” County Commissioner Kenny Becker announced during last week’s joint county council and commissioners meeting. “There’ll be a face painter, music, activities, community speakers at the event.” He added that the goal of the event is to offer residents resources, educational ideas, and actions they can take to prevent child abuse.
Pulaski County officials hope to put an end to the confusion surrounding the county’s salary matrix, during a joint work session next week. The idea was raised during Monday’s county council and commissioners meetings. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff and Sheriff Jeff Richwine again asked for guidance on a couple ongoing salary issues, but the council’s matrix committee still hadn’t met yet to discuss them. Council member Scott Hinkle suggested that the discussion take place with the full council and board of commissioners, instead.
Pulaski County won’t be taking any formal action on wind turbines until the end of May. County officials have been researching the topic, so they can make some recommendations about how to adjust the county’s Unified Development Ordinance going forward.
Pulaski County officials are finalizing arrangements for IT services during this year’s elections. IT Consultant Willie DeGroot and the county’s in-house IT director, Matt Voltz, are both expected to help out during the May primary and November general elections.
Recent power outages have revealed problems with the Pulaski County Justice Center’s battery backup system.
Pulaski County continues to work with other government entities on a class action lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors. Indianapolis law firm Cohen and Malad is leading the effort, on behalf of several counties and cities around the state.
The Pulaski County Emergency Management Agency is assessing damage and helping residents clean up from recent flooding. EMA Director Sheri Gaillard gave an update to the county commissioners Monday. “I gave out 3,250 sandbags to the Pulaski County citizens,” she said. “Both the gauges are finally down into minor flooding stage, but damage assessment is still ongoing because there were a lot of places that we couldn’t get to still, at least 10 that I can think of off the top of my head.”
Pulaski County officials continue to consider whether to hire an outside company to mow the lawn and remove snow at various county properties. The idea was raised several months ago, as a cheaper alternative to upgrading the county’s equipment. Last week, the county commissioners opened bids from six companies interested in the lawn care work, but few of them submitted a price for snow removal.
The Pulaski County Election Board is getting some outside help with Election Day IT support. The county commissioners Tuesday approved a contract with IT Consultant Willie DeGroot for the May primary and November general elections.
Concerns about new wind turbines in Pulaski County have prompted County Attorney Kevin Tankersley to learn more about the county’s legal options. In the past several months, a number of filings have been made with the Federal Aviation Administration for possible wind turbines in the Francesville and Star City areas.
Pulaski County will once again advertise its tourism attractions to Chicago-area television viewers. The county commissioners Tuesday approved a $26,000 tourism marketing plan, recommended by the Community Development Commission.
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services is once again asking for more room for its ambulances. EMS Director Bryan Corn told the county council and commissioners last week that the department’s trucks are outgrowing the Winamac EMS garage. “Our oldest truck, she’s really, really long,” Corn explained, “and in order to get the garage door to close, you about have to put it into the wall a little bit.”
A local vocational training cooperative’s efforts to get state grant funding have come up short.
Discussion continues about moving Pulaski Circuit Court out of the County Courthouse and into the Justice Center. The move is seen as a cheaper alternative to installing and staffing a security checkpoint in the courthouse.
The Pulaski County Commissioners may be willing to consider a return to television advertising, as a way to promote tourism. The county ran tourism ads in the Chicago market back in 2016, but decided against doing it again last year. Instead, they opted to go with a cheaper online-only advertising package.
Pulaski County may be looking to adjust its investment strategy. During the annual board of finance meeting this month, Treasurer Teresa Bryant reported that the county’s investments did well in 2017. “Our interest has really been coming up on our CDs, which we are still currently doing the $4,250,000 in CDs,” she explained. “We made a little over $31,102.50 on interest for those CDs. And then our checking account is actually doing really well as far as interest, a lot better than it has in the past. We earned $145,262.20.”
The Pulaski County Commissioners filled some remaining vacancies on a few boards and commissions, during last week’s meeting.
Declining income tax revenues have the Pulaski County Commissioners seeking some outside financial advice. They voted Tuesday to allow accounting firm Umbaugh and Associates to do a preliminary analysis and offer a proposal for helping the county put together a financial strategy.
Pulaski County has a new Emergency Medical Services director. Bryan Corn was selected to fill the position, in a two-to-one vote by the county commissioners Tuesday.
The Pulaski County Commissioners are nearing a decision on a new Emergency Medical Services director. “We had the interviews for the EMS director, and we’re going to make our decision by the 16th of January,” Commissioner Kenny Becker said Tuesday. Continue reading
