Pulaski County is bringing its parcel transfer fee in line with state regulations. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county council Monday that her office had charged five dollars for transfers of deeds, but the state has raised the fee to $10.
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 Government Offices to Be Responsible for IT Costs, County Council Raises Questions
Pulaski 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 readingJudges Spar with County Attorney over Pulaski County Court Program Grants
Pulaski County’s judges are worried that resistance from the auditor and county attorney is putting court programs in jeopardy.
In a lengthy and heated discussion during Monday’s county commissioners meeting, Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker said the county’s seen great success with its Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative, but when coordinator Dr. Natalie Daily Federer tried to renew its funding, Auditor Laura Wheeler prevented it.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Consider More In-Depth Review of Health Insurance Options
Pulaski County may be sticking with its current health insurance company for a while longer, as more research is done about a potential switch. County officials decided to revisit insurance options this year, with the hope of finding some cost savings.
Continue readingPulaski Council Looks to Revisit Supplemental Homestead Credit, As Tax Discussions Continue
The Pulaski County Council passed an ordinance Monday that could allow property taxes to increase by “thawing” the county’s levy freeze. But one council member pointed out that another measure to balance the county’s tax structure had already been agreed upon but never been implemented.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Members Looking to Discuss Budget Cuts with Department Heads
As 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 readingSRI Raises Fees for Pulaski County Tax Sales
The company that handles Pulaski County’s tax sales is raising its prices. SRI is raising its tax sale fees from $75 to $100 per parcel, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler. She told the county commissioners last week that cost is typically passed along to the buyers.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Finalizes Additional Appropriations, Reappoints Library Board Member
The Pulaski County Council finalized more than $70,000 in additional appropriations this week. A large chunk of that was pension and vehicle funding for the Sheriff’s Department, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Hope to Choose Health Insurance Company July 1
Pulaski County has gotten four proposals for employee health insurance, but before they were even opened Monday, county officials spent several minutes trying to figure out what exactly to do with them. During Monday’s joint council and commissioners meeting, Auditor Laura Wheeler explained that the open enrollment period begins July 1, with the new coverage year starting in August.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Continues Discussing EMA Radio Equipment Funding
A $10,000 bill related to EMA radio equipment continued to be discussed during Monday’s Pulaski County Council meeting. Last month, council members said they wanted more information before moving forward with an additional appropriation.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considers Options for Outside Reimbursement Funds Not Included in Budget
Reimbursable costs are eating into the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department budget. Sheriff Jeff Richwine recently told the county council that when his jailers have to transport federal inmates, his department gets $18 per hour from the federal government for their labor.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Updated on Health Insurance Proposals
Pulaski County has started to see some interest from health insurance companies. As of last week’s county commissioners meeting, Auditor Laura Wheeler said about four companies had contacted her with questions, but none had sent an official proposal yet. Those are due by June 7.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Choose Lawn Care Contractor
After months of discussions, the Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to keep TK Lawn Service as their mowing contractor. Maintenance Director Mia Salyers told the commissioners Monday that she went through the three bids the county received, broke down the costs, and determined that TK’s was the cheapest.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Considers Funding Arrangements for Sheriff’s Deputies’ Pension Plan
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputies’ new pension plan may soon be fully funded, at least for a year. Last year, the county council approved a switch from a 20- to a 32-year retirement plan.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Approves Encumbrance Requests, Following Confusion over Procedures
We’re more than a third of the way through 2019, but some Pulaski County officials are still trying to pay bills out of the 2018 budget. More than $10,000 in encumbrances were presented to the county council for approval Monday.
Continue readingPulaski County Finds Funds to House Inmates Out-of-County
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 Commissioners Issue Request for Proposals for Health Insurance
Pulaski County continues to look into employee health insurance options. The county commissioners agreed Monday to issue a request for proposals from insurance brokers. They also agreed to advertise the request in South Bend and Indianapolis newspapers.
Continue readingPulaski County Seeking Bids for Health Insurance
Pulaski County is going to check out its options before continuing with its current health insurance options with provider, but exactly how to do that was a topic of debate during a recent joint council and commissioners meeting.
Continue readingPulaski County Election Board Considering Funding for Future Voting Machine Upgrades
The Pulaski County Election Board is planning to start budgeting for voting machine upgrades. State lawmakers are considering a bill that would require voting machines to have a “voter verifiable paper audit trail” by the end of 2029. Adding the necessary printers to Pulaski County’s machines is estimated to cost $45,000.
Continue reading