Now that the Oregon-Davis School referendum tax levy has passed, school officials are evaluating various aspects of how the corporation is run in order to ensure the additional revenue will be spent practically and proficiently.
Superintendent Dr. Don Harman said officials are assessing staffing, programs and everything about the corporation’s operations in order to prioritize needs. Continue reading
The Starke County Election Board is finalizing the move of the Oregon Township Precinct 2 voting site. Starting this May, voting will take place at the Koontz Lake Association Clubhouse.
According to Starke County Election Deputy Clerk Crystal McCarty-Taylor, people can file for a declaration of candidacy starting today anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and they have until February 9th at noon to file.
Interested individuals must come into the Starke County Clerk’s Office to file. She added that no exceptions will be made if the February deadline is missed.
Officials up for election in Starke County include the County Sheriff, Assessor, Coroner, Recorder and Auditor as well as the Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk. Elections will also be held for the County Commissioners in District 2 which includes California, Center and Davis Townships. Continue reading
Oregon Township officials considered the purchase of a bottle filler system for the Koontz Lake-Oregon Township Fire Department during their meeting Tuesday night.
Fire Chief Andy Lawrence explained that he needs to take the air bottle tanks to the Walkerton-Polk Township Fire Department to refill as their current compressor is outdated and can no longer adequately fill the tanks. He’d like to have one at the station so they won’t have to rely on using Walkerton’s equipment and creating more wear and tear on that equipment than necessary.
The tanks are worn by the firefighters to aid them with breathing when battling fires.
Oregon Township officials have purchased a new truck for the Koontz Lake Fire Department.
Township Trustee Mark Allen said they will sign paperwork for the new 2018 Spartan pumper truck during their regular board meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT at the Koontz Lake Fire Department on State Road 23.
A tax levy referendum will appear on the May Primary ballot for voters in the Oregon and Davis Townships in Starke County.
The referendum is asking voters to approve a property tax rate increase to help create more funds to keep the school corporation operating the way it is now. The increase will not exceed $.19 on each $100 of assessed valuation and it will be in addition to all other property tax levies imposed by the School Corporation.
The Starke County Commissioners received a promising update regarding Bridge 156 over the Robbins Ditch on Range Road on Monday. Surveys are expected to be done soon, Debco has provided the loads on the trusses, and everything is expected to be back in operating order in time for our local farmers to use the road during their busy harvest season.
