The replacement of the Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is on track to be complete by its October construction deadline. The problem is that the original legal agreement called for it to be installed by the end of September. The project is part of a larger effort to make the courthouse compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, after the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit over a lack of accessibility.
Pulaski Commissioners Amend Ordinance, to Pay for EMA Radio Equipment Move
The Pulaski County Commissioners have agreed to a funding arrangement for the relocation of the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment. The EMA is moving from the courthouse to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Moving the radio antennas is expected to cost $10,000.
Pulaski County to Collect Unpaid Debts by Intercepting State Income Tax Refunds
If you owe Pulaski County money, the county will soon be able to garnish your state income tax refunds. The county commissioners Tuesday agreed to take part in the Tax Refund and Exchange Compliance System.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Recognized for Lifesaving Actions
A Pulaski County Sheriff’s deputy is being credited with saving the life of a Bass Lake man over the Labor Day weekend. Deputy Branson Eber was eating dinner at Poblanos in Winamac when it happened, according to Sheriff Jeff Richwine. “Some person in there starts choking, falls over, and he does the Heimlich maneuver and gets him recovered,” Richwine told the county commissioners Tuesday. “And so when I get to work this morning, I’ve got a message from a lady from Bass Lake saying, ‘Hey, I wanted to thank you for having such a good deputy. He just saved my husband’s life at Pablanos, and we’re forever grateful.’”
Pulaski County Commissioners to Revisit EMA Radio Equipment Move, Justice Center Fire Alarm
The Pulaski County Commissioners will continue discussing plans to move the Emergency Management Agency’s radio equipment to the former Winamac Masonic Lodge. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston suggested looking into whether the county’s DRMO funds could be used. That money comes from the sale of former military equipment owned by the county.
Privacy Concerns with Adventure Park Brought to Pulaski County Commissioners
A Pulaski County adventure park is drawing privacy concerns from some of its neighbors. McKenzie and John Forest live just north of Rugged Adventures, outside Winamac. Last week, they came to the county commissioners looking for help.
Pulaski County Commissioners Hire Consultant to Seek Fuel Tax Reimbursements
The Pulaski County Commissioners have decided to check and see if the county is eligible for fuel tax reimbursements. Last week, the commissioners conditionally agreed to hire consulting firm Malcon to help with the process.
Pulaski Highway Department to Return Unused Grant Funds, Following Bridge Project
The replacement of a bridge on Pulaski County Road 700 North over Bogus run has come in under budget. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff told the county commissioners Monday that the final amount ended up being over $47,000 less than expected.
Pulaski County Officials Working to Move Equipment into Former Masonic Lodge
Pulaski County crews continue preparing the former Winamac Masonic Lodge for use as a county morgue and office building. The county commissioners got an update Monday from Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston.
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.
New Elevator Car Ready for Installation at Pulaski County Courthouse
Work continues on the Pulaski County Courthouse’s new elevator. “The car and the cylinders and all that’s now on-site,” Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county commissioners Monday. “They delivered that at the end of last week. They’ll begin installing that this week.”
Pulaski County Commissioners Suggest Clarifications, Conditions for Wind Turbine Ban
The Pulaski County Commissioners are recommending some additional language for the county’s proposed ban on wind turbines. On Monday, the commissioners voted to send a list of amendments to the advisory plan commission. It was drawn up for the commissioners by Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer.
Pulaski County Commissioners Vote Down Wheel Tax
Pulaski County will not be charging its residents a wheel tax in the near future. The issue was discussed during last week’s joint county council and commissioners meeting, after the Bureau of Motor Vehicles asked for an update.
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 Commissioners to Meet This Morning
The Pulaski County Commissioners will get updates from Sheriff Jeff Richwine and EMS Director Bryan Corn this morning. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff is scheduled to discuss additional spending, while Charles Malinowski will talk about fuel tax reporting.
Pulaski County Council to Consider Hiring Outside Help with Adjusting Tax Structure
The Pulaski County Council is not likely to address issues with its local income tax structure in time to have an impact on the 2019 budget. A sudden drop in revenues from the “LIT Levy Freeze” tax was brought to the county council’s attention in September of 2017. In the months that followed, there were some discussions about working with an accounting firm to address the issues, but little progress was made.
Pulaski County Justice Center Still in Need of New Fire Alarm System
Pulaski County’s maintenance supervisor is renewing his call for a new fire alarm system for the Justice Center. Jeff Johnston discussed the issue with the county commissioners last week, almost a year after he first brought it up.
Pulaski County Council to Consider Additional Appropriations for Part-Time Pay
The Pulaski County Council will be taking steps tonight to make sure money is available to pay part-time employees. A shortage of full-time EMS employees at the beginning of the year took a huge toll on the department’s part-time budget, according to EMS Director Bryan Corn. “Staffing was kind of rough there for a while,” he told the county commissioners last week. “We had quite a few full-time openings that we had to utilize part-time staff to fill that, to essentially keep the 911 trucks going, keep the 911 trucks in service.”
Pulaski County Maintenance Crews Working on Former Winamac Masonic Lodge
Work continues to turn the former Winamac Masonic Lodge into a county morgue and office building. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday that his department has completed quite a bit of work, but there’s still a lot more to go.
