Some local officials will continue to be able to attend government meetings virtually. Virtual meetings first became allowed in Indiana last year during the health emergency. House Bill 1437 made that option permanent, if the governing body adopts a written policy allowing it.
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The Marshall County Council members opened a public hearing Monday morning concerning a bond for the East Shore Conservancy District in Culver.
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The Culver-Union Township Public Library Board is looking for a new member. The Marshall County Council accepted Bill Cleavenger’s resignation Monday. Bill Githens abstained from voting, since he’s also a member of the library board.
Starke County EMS officials approached the Starke County Council members Monday night to request a transfer of funds to cover ambulance repair costs.
Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary informed the board that an inactive rotation roster for primary and backup ambulances as led to a large amount of breakdowns recently. The costs for repairs have gotten to the point that funds have gone into the red with constant work being done.
There are five ambulances on the fleet: three primary and two backup.
The Culver-Union Township Public Library has been successful in refinancing some of its debt. Continue reading
The Culver-Union Township Public Library hopes to make some facility upgrades, while refinancing some of its debt. Continue reading
The Marshall County Council will have the final say on whether major grant funds are able to be brought to the area.
During Monday morning’s meeting, the Council will consider forming a Regional Development Authority. The partnership would be formed in conjunction with St. Joseph and Elkhart counties.
The Marshall County Health Department will be doing more to promote breastfeeding programs and support in the community due to a state mandate.
Annette Osborn from the health department explained to the Marshall County Council this week that a part-time WIC employee will need to increase work hours by four hours per week due to the new mandate for breastfeeding education.
E-poll books will be used in this November’s Municipal General Election in Marshall County.
The county council Monday morning approved an additional appropriation for the purchase of 15 iPads at a cost of $35,010. The appropriation was advertised prior to the council’s unanimous approval. The iPads will be outfitted with the necessary software to be used for voters to sign in at the polls.
The Marshall County Council has decided to step back and gather more information before moving forward with a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT).
The LOHUT contains a surtax of the vehicle excise tax as well as a wheel tax.. That money can be used to reconstruct, construct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction.
The Marshall County Council members will review a recommendation by the Commissioners to implement a Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT) to gather revenue for the county for local roads.
State revenue for motor vehicle highway budgets has flatlined. Expenses continue to rise which has left Marshall County with an option to implement a LOHUT. A LOHUT contains a vehicle excise tax and wheel tax that is payable at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when registrations are due. The revenue generated, which will double what the county highway department currently has available, can be used to construct, reconstruct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction. Continue reading
A local resident will be giving her opinion about a wheel tax to the Marshall County Commissioners when they meet this morning.
The Culver Town Council and the Plymouth Common Council have approved letters of support to the Marshall County Commissioners and the council for a proposed Local Option Highway User Tax (LOHUT). A LOHUT includes a vehicle excise tax and wheel tax that is payable at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles when vehicle registration is due. Those fees will be distributed to the county for use to construct, reconstruct, repair or maintain streets under county, city or town jurisdiction.
A representative from the Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) will be meeting with the Marshall County Council and the Marshall County Commissioners this week to discuss funding options for the highway department.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer said in a previous meeting that the state will soon cut funding for local roads and highways, and it will be left to local governments to provide funding for projects.
The video conferencing equipment in the Marshall County Superior Court 1 and Superior Court 2 courtrooms and the Marshall County Jail will soon be upgraded to include high definition quality.
Judge Dean Colvin told the county council members this week that the county can conduct court hearings via video conferencing to reduce the cost of transporting inmates from the jail to the courthouse for hearings.
The video conference systems are currently inoperable at this time, so the staff is looking to replace the equipment.
It is the hope of the Marshall County Council and the Marshall County Commissioners to come together soon to address funding for county roads.
Commission President Kevin Overmyer told the county council Monday morning that the state appropriated money for INDOT but nothing for local roads for the next two years. He said representatives from the Build Indiana Council, Association of County Commissioners, and Indiana Association of Cities asked for those funds, but the request was not approved.
The Marshall County Council members will continue a discussion into the purchase of e-poll books when they meet this morning.
During the council’s last meeting in March, Clerk Deb Vandemark explained that 15 iPads would be purchased for placement at all of the voting sites for the purpose of signing in voters at the polls. There are 14 poll sites for the county’s 29 precincts. One extra iPad would be on hand as a backup. The purchase price is $32,225 which is not included in the clerk’s budget for this year.
The Marshall County Council will consider an additional appropriation request made by Commission President Kevin Overmyer in an upcoming meeting.
He explained to the council members this week that the council cut $20,000 from the budget and that is needed to satisfy a contract with the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation. Overmyer said the contract is for $150,000 and the additional appropriation is needed for the rest of the year.
The Marshall County Council discussed several additional appropriation requests at their meeting Monday morning.
The highway department had a request for a $310,000 additional appropriation for a new pug mill. Highway Superintendent Jason Peters discussed looking into a used pug mill in Missouri but decided against the purchase. Peters previously said the pug mill had been used for a different need. It was decided to go with a new pug mill for the requested amount that the council approved.
The Marshall County Council members held a lengthy discussion about the purchase of e-poll books for the November election.
Clerk Deb Vandemark explained that 15 iPads would be purchased to be placed at all of the voting sites for the purpose of signing in voters at the polls. There are 14 poll sites for the county’s 29 precincts. One extra iPad would be on hand as a backup.
The Marshall County Council members will be discussing an additional appropriation for the highway department for equipment.
Jerry Ambrose and Highway Superintendent Jason Peters explained to the Marshall County Commissioners last week that they would like to purchase a more expensive loader that will guarantee better service and reliability. The loader is a Caterpillar brand and is higher than two other bids sent in for consideration.
The commissioners approved the purchase, and the additional appropriation will be requested in today’s county council meeting. The highway department will be asking for $310,000 for equipment and $150,000 for the 7th Road project.
An e-poll book presentation will be made by Mike Miller along with Clerk Deb Vandemark, Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will be before the council for a resolution for sheriff commissary fund expenditures, and Commissioner Kevin Overmyer will discuss Marshall County Economic Development.
The meeting is today at 9 a.m. ET in the second-floor meeting room in the Marshall County Building in Plymouth.
