The council members have a light agenda with a copier purchase request from Prosecutor David Holmes, a salary reimbursement grant request from EMA Director Clyde Avery and a transfer of funds within Sheriff Tom Chamberlin’s budget.
The governing body will also approve additional appropriation requests from the circuit court, the probation department and the clerk’s office.
Residents are welcome to attend. Public input is at the beginning of the meeting for your convenience.
The Marshall County Council members approved an ordinance in order for Culver Military Academy to sell bonds to a trust company.
An attorney representing CMA appeared before the council and explained that in 2000, CMA took out economic development bonds in the amount of $25 million to construct a math/science building, a dormitory and library on the campus.
Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin requested to fill a position in his department and presented a salary ordinance amendment proposal to the county council members this week.
Chamberlin informed the council members that Sergeant Larry Snyder has announced his retirement and the sheriff will need to replace him. The new officer would probably be hired in March and the notice needs to be advertised. The council unanimously approved his request.
Highway Superintendent Neal Haeck told the council members that his employees have been out everyday for nearly a month making sure the county’s roads are passable. There is a list available for volunteers to work the night shift and it’s on a rotating basis.
Emergency Management Agency Director Clyde Avery will discuss two grant applications, Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will seek approval to find a merit officer replacement, and County Attorney Jim Clevenger will discuss the Culver Military Academy Development Bonds.
Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that the Koontz Lake Sewer District board members were attempting to find a Marshall County representative but potential candidates couldn’t regularly attend meetings and the other people the members talked to weren’t interested in serving on the board.
A candidate was found, but he does not reside in the Marshall County area. According to law, the appointee does not necessarily have to be a Marshall County resident, but must live within the Koontz Lake district.
With that, the council approved the appointment of Ronald Armstead to the Koontz Lake Regional District Board.
Clevenger stated that rights of way need to be acquired for the project and much of that needs to be taken care of in South Bend.
Sheriff Tom Chamberlin told the commissioners that he would be purchasing a used 2013 Ford van from Oliver Ford that would be used to transport prisoners. There will be no trade-in as an older, smaller van will be used for local transfers.
Work on the expansion of a dark fiber broadband network into Marshall County could start this spring following approval by the county council of funds for the project. St. Joseph County Metronet wants to extend the dark fiber infrastructure into Marshall County. It will mean extremely fast Internet speeds for both business and residential customers. County officials say having that infrastructure in place will significantly boost economic development. The county has agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the project. St. Joseph County is also funding $250,000, and several local businesses are also kicking in some cash. The Marshall County Council yesterday approved the advertisement of the proposed appropriation, but final approval is still needed when they meet next month.
Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that this claim comes around quarterly where the highway department is reimbursed for the fuel it supplies to the other departments in the county. The highway department purchases all of the fuel and all departments fill up at the highway garage. The department is then reimbursed every quarter with how much is spent on fuel.
The council members also approved an additional appropriation for Superior Court 1 for pauper counsel in the amount of $20,000. The county council were advised that this expense would be coming around this quarter to help keep the fund in the black.
The Marshall County Council members approved the Marshall County Grant Approval and Administration Policy Monday morning.
Auditor Penny Lukenbill explained that all departments who apply for federal funds should file paperwork with her office to better report to the state board of accounts. The paperwork will include a detailed description of what the grant money will be used for and include a plan of spending. The council and commissioners will look over the paperwork and pre-approve the grant request and it can be filed on the federal level.
The prosecutor’s office has acquired a new deputy prosecutor out of St. Joseph County and Prosecutor Holmes asked that the probationary period be waived so full status can be obtained. Holmes stated that she has had four years of experience outside of the office and does not need the normal training period for her duties in the office. The communication between the outgoing deputy prosecutor and the new deputy prosecutor is a little lacking, but that should clear soon. The council approved the request.
Sheriff Tom Chamberlin will also appear before the council to ask for a waiver of employee probationary period. Jay Bahr, the executive director of the Marshall County Economic Development Commission, will have an update for the council members.
Marshall County Sheriff Tom Chamberlin informed the Marshall County Council this week that the jail kitchen will be getting two new stoves.
He explained that the old stove was severely damaged when fire retardant had sprayed in the kitchen during an overnight incident in September. A settlement was reached to replace two commercial-grade stoves in the kitchen. When installed, the kitchen will have two stoves and four ovens to help prepare meals for the almost 200 inmates in the facility.
The Marshall County Council approved a request by Sheriff Tom Chamberlin to hire an officer to replace one who recently resigned. The council also approved a request by Clerk Julie Fox to hire a deputy clerk as Vicki Yost will be vacating the position when she moves to Alabama. Yost had worked in the clerk’s office for more than 10 years.
