Pulaski County is looking for a new EMS director. Bryan Corn is resigning to accept employment elsewhere, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler. Corn has served as EMS director since January. Applications for the position are being taken through December 7. The county hopes to have a new EMS director in place by January 2.
Pulaski County Council Approves Budget Transfer to Cover Shortfall in Jailer Overtime Funds
Housing and transporting federal inmates continues to cause budget challenges for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council Tuesday that while the effort is making money for the county overall, the associated income and expenses are in two different parts of the county’s budget.
Pulaski County Commissioners Finalize Paperwork for CASA Grant
The Pulaski County Commissioners have signed off on funding arrangements for the county’s Court Appointed Special Advocates program. During last week’s meeting, it was explained that the county council has allocated $40,000 to the CASA program, and the state would provide more than $8,400 in grant funding.
Pulaski County Officials Update NIPSCO Contact Information to Prevent Gas Shutoff at West Annex
Pulaski County officials had to resolve some confusion over the county’s NIPSCO billing. Coroner John Behny told the county commissioners last week that he recently got a call from a NIPSCO representative with an order to disconnect gas service to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge, now called the West Annex.
Monday’s Pulaski County Commissioners Meeting Moved to County Highway Garage
The Pulaski County Commissioners won’t be moving back to the courthouse Monday, after all. Monday’s meeting will once again be held at the County Highway Garage, according to Auditor Laura Wheeler.
Pulaski County Council Takes Steps to Make Donation Funds Available for EMS Department’s Use
After a couple left almost $30,000 to the Pulaski County EMS Department in their will, county officials are now taking steps to allow that money to be used. EMS Director Bryan Corn asked the county council this month to formally incorporate that money into his budget. “Just a little over a month ago, I believe, we received a check,” he explained. “It was a donation from the estate of a Henry and Alice Mooi. That total comes out to $29,901.71. That is strictly to be used for the EMS Department only, and that is strictly to be used for equipment for the EMS Department.”
Pulaski County Council Approves 2019 Budget, Salary Matrix But Leaves Several Issues Unresolved
The Pulaski County Council almost forgot to adopt the 2019 budget Monday. The approval finally came after more than four hours of occasionally contentious discussions but relatively little action on several budget-related items.
Pulaski County Auditor Looking Into Outsourcing Payroll and Time Clocks
Pulaski County officials are researching the possibility of outsourcing the county’s payroll and time clocks. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county commissioners last week that the county currently pays $25,000 a year for its 11 time clocks.
Pulaski County Commissioners to Vote on Commercial Wind Turbine Ban Tonight
The Pulaski County Commissioners will decide tonight whether to ban commercial wind turbines. The updated wind turbine regulations head back to the commissioners tonight, after the county’s advisory plan commission agreed last week to some language adjustments the commissioners had recommended. Under the updated proposal, landowners would still be allowed to build noncommercial and micro wind energy convergence systems in certain areas.
Pulaski County EMS Director Proposes Adding Training Program Finances into Department Budget
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services is taking steps to formalize the finances of its training program. During a public hearing on the county’s 2019 budget last week, EMS Director Bryan Corn told the county council that his department is certified to offer emergency medical technician classes. But he said the training program’s finances haven’t been tracked properly.
Pulaski County Council Continues Discussing Tax Hike to Balance Reassessment Budget
A tax increase would still be needed to balance Pulaski County’s Reassessment budget, but it may not have to be as large as originally thought. Assessor Holly VanDerAa discussed several budget concerns during the county council’s public hearing on the 2019 budget Wednesday.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department Looking to Buy New Body Cameras
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department may be stepping up its use of body cameras and upgrading its technology in the process. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county commissioners Monday that up until now, he’s left it up to his deputies to decide when to turn on their cameras, rather than requiring their use at all times.
Agenda Error Prompts Pulaski Council to Hold Off on Salary Matrix Updates Again
For the second month in a row, the Pulaski County Council has deferred action on updates to the county’s salary matrix. This time, it was apparently due to an error in the meeting agenda.
Pulaski County Council Approves Coroner’s Office Fees
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office’s new fees have been approved by the county council. Under the new arrangement, any additional copies of the coroner’s verdict, coroner’s report, and autopsy report will now cost $25 for the three-document package. A $25 disposition permit will also be charged before bodies may be released for cremation.
Pulaski County Council Discusses Shortfalls in Part-Time Pay Budgets
The Pulaski County Council decided Monday not to appropriate additional funds to pay part-time staff. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston asked council members for permission to spend another $30,000 for part-time help. At the time, he reminded them that money had been cut from the 2018 budget so the state would approve it, with the understanding that he could come back later to request enough for the rest of the year.
Pulaski County Council Defers Action on Salary Matrix Update
Confusion remains over Pulaski County’s salary matrix, in spite of a new set of written guidelines. Last month, the county council adopted a written set of “Matrix Rules” to help department heads interpret the pay structure that’s already in place. But during last week’s meeting, Auditor Laura Wheeler said the matrix itself would have to be updated to comply with the guidelines, and presented a proposed update to the salary ordinance.
Pulaski County Officials Continue Working on Masonic Lodge Purchase
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office is pushing the county council and commissioners to finalize the purchase of the former Winamac Masonic Lodge as close to the original deadline as possible. Last month, the council and commissioners approved a joint ordinance to purchase the building for $50,000 from the Royal Center Masonic Lodge. The plan is to convert it into a dedicated morgue and coroner’s office, which the county has lacked until now.
Pulaski County Council Considers Part-Time Pay Issues
A part-time employee in the Pulaski County Maintenance Department will continue to make $15 an hour and won’t have to pay back a $2-per-hour raise. That was the consensus reached by the county council Monday, although no formal action was taken.
Pulaski Commissioners Finalize Arrangements for Next Month’s Deed Sale
About 400 parcels of Pulaski County-owned land near Monterey will soon be going up for auction. SRI will conduct a commissioners deed sale August 1 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pulaski County Highway Garage in Winamac.
Pulaski Council Votes to Correct Improper Payment Made to Highway Department Employees
Confusion about checks paid to two Pulaski County Highway Department employees led to a heated debate during last week’s county council meeting. The first had to do with $2,500 paid to Secretary Jessica Rausch for her duties as asset management coordinator. Last month, council members agreed to transfer that amount into the department’s asset management services line item. Auditor Laura Wheeler then apparently paid the money to Rausch as part of her paycheck. She asked council members last week to adjust the salary ordinance accordingly.
