The joint governing bodies in Pulaski County will be receiving information from a representative from the Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) from Purdue University about a Local Option Highway User Tax or LOHUT. A LOHUT includes a vehicle excise tax and a wheel tax. It is included in the vehicle registration payment at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Pulaski County Government Analyzes Courthouse Issues
The courthouse in Pulaski County is in need of extensive repairs.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented the Pulaski County Commissioners and the Pulaski County Council members with a long list of exterior and interior issues that need to be addressed soon. Johnston covered structural needs including cleaning limestone, realigning dislocated stone, replacing deteriorated stone, repairing defective concrete,
carpet cleaning and repairing and sealing the north side basement entry. The uneven sidewalks also pose as tripping hazards around the courthouse. The cracks found in the cement stairs and walls around the courthouse can gather water that causes damage during the winter with the action of freezing and thawing.
Pulaski County Commissioners Hire New Highway Superintendent
Ordinance Prepared to Reduce Speed Limit on Pulaski County Road
A speed limit change on a county road in Pulaski County will be enacted once an ordinance takes effect.
The Pulaski County Commissioners recently approved the preparation of an ordinance that reduces the speed on County Road East 50 South between the junction of south old State Road 14 and 200 South. The speed limit will be 30 mph on that stretch of road. Several residents have complained to the commissioners of reckless driving on that road for some time.
Courthouse Repairs to be Detailed in Pulaski County Commissioners Special Meeting
The Pulaski County Commissioners will meet in special session today to discuss repairs needed at the courthouse.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners in April that he has an extensive presentation to detail renovations and upgrades at the courthouse. He said issues remain that can no longer be ignored and plans need to be put into place now to make these repairs. Structural concerns and infrastructure needs are part of Johnston’s focus.
Income Surveys Needed for Pulaski County Planning Grant
More income surveys are needed to help Pulaski County obtain a planning grant for a new EMS building.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the county commissioners this week that 500 surveys are needed, and only 100 have been returned.
Pleasant View Rest Home Enters National Register of Historic Places
The Pulaski County Commissioners received word this week that the Pleasant View Rest Home is now officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Commission President Larry Brady read the letter from the Department of Natural Resources that stated the county home located at 700 W. County Road 60 S. in Winamac was entered into the register on March 17.
Pulaski County Commissioners Vote to Vacate County Road
A county road will be vacated in Pulaski County.
Terry Ruff, who is the acting General Foreman at the Pulaski County Highway Department, said the county is spending a lot of resources on the dirt road at 1150 West between 900 South and 1000 South that basically acts as a path between two feuding property owners. Ruff is leery of accidents on the road and who would be responsible if there’s an issue. He said it’s not even suitable to plow.
Pulaski County Election Board to Research E-Poll Books
The Pulaski County Election Board now has the full support of the county commissioners and the county council to research the feasibility of implementing e-poll books.
Election board member Laura Bailey requested permission from the county council last week to seek more information about e-poll books for the county’s polling sites. Voters would digitally sign in on an iPad when they arrive at one of the seven polling sites in the county to vote. The e-poll books would replace the printed registration books. A receipt would be issued to the voter and taken to an election official to bring up a ballot.
Pulaski County Government to Consider Obtaining Additional Road Funding
The Pulaski County Council and Commissioners will be looking into gathering more funds for county roads.
Commission President Larry Brady said the roads severely deteriorated this past winter. Brady told the county council members this week that he chatted with the employees at the highway department who say they’re dipping into this summer’s funding to repair frost line-damaged roads.
Pulaski County Officials to Discuss Courthouse Needs, County Home Future
The Pulaski County Council and Commissioners will meet in a special joint session meeting on Monday, May 4 to discuss two items.
Pulaski County Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston has prepared a presentation on structural issues that need to be addressed at the Pulaski County Courthouse. Johnston informed the commissioners last week that the presentation includes several pages of notes.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council to Discuss Highway Superintendent Position
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved the action of interviewing candidates for the position of highway superintendent, but the position is not yet open.
The commissioners were notified that Superintendent Mark Fox may submit his letter of resignation last week, but that letter has not been filed with the Pulaski County Auditor’s office, according to Auditor Shelia Garling.
Pulaski County Department Heads, Employees to Partake in Training
Personnel policy handbook training sessions for department heads and employees in Pulaski County are scheduled for this month.
County Attorney Kevin Tankersley explained to the commissioners last week that a revision is complete which provides more detail and required forms. Workers compensation, Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) information, overtime, and more is included in the 98-page document. Tankersley said the new manual is more user-friendly. A policy has been in place in Pulaski County since 2012.
Confined Feeding Operation Coming to Pulaski County
A new confined hog feeding operation will be locating in Pulaski County.
David Weber from the Pulaski County Building and Zoning Department told the commissioners this week that a public hearing was held by the planning commission in March to hear comments concerning a rezoning request. The planning commission recommended the rezoning of an 80 acre area at 11189 W. 750 N. in Cass Township from A-1 to A-2, which includes exclusive or intense agricultural purposes. The representatives of Livestock Engineering Solutions want to establish a confined feeding operation at that location. Two barns will be constructed to contain 7,000 hogs.
Pulaski County Officials Securing Pleasant View Rest Home
Now that operations have ceased at the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac, officials are working to keep the building secure.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners that slide bolts with padlocks have been installed to tighten up security. Johnston asked about itemized inventory, and Commissioner Terry Young commented that a partial list has been drafted. The commissioners, Johnston, and the remaining workers at the Pleasant View Rest Home will make a list and decide what to do with those items. The commissioners talked about holding an auction to get rid of the equipment that will not be utilized by other county offices.
Pulaski County Election Board to Research E-Poll Book Purchase
The Pulaski County Election Board will be looking into the feasibility of purchasing e-poll books after meeting with the Pulaski County Commissioners Monday night.
Board member Jon Frain explained that the implementation of e-poll books is the next step in upgrading the election equipment. The county would purchase iPads with election software. Voting officials would be able to scan a voter’s Driver’s License into the computer, and that would create a digital signature page to move the process at a quicker pace.
Pulaski County Commissioners Anticipate Highway Superintendent Resignation
The Pulaski County Commissioners will be interviewing candidates for the top position at the county highway department.
The commissioners approved action to interview internally for the position of superintendent, however, a letter of resignation from acting Superintendent Mark Fox has not been filed with the county. They anticipate that letter to be filed this week. If the commissioners feel that a person currently working for the county does not fit what they’re looking for in a candidate, they will advertise externally for the position.
Pleasant View Rest Home Operations to Cease Tomorrow
The last day of operations at the Pleasant View Rest Home in Winamac is tomorrow.
Operations are coming to an end after the Pulaski County Council made a decision in October of 2014 to not include funding for the assisted living facility in the 2015 budget. The decision was approved by a majority vote. The commissioners voted in December to close the operations at the county home because of the lack of funding.
Loan Request Headed to Pulaski County Council
The Town of Monterey may take out a larger loan from Pulaski County.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer explained that the county agreed to loan the Town of Monterey $10,000 in order to provide matching funds for the proposed wastewater treatment facility project in Monterey. This was approved by Pulaski County government entities last year.
Pulaski County to Move Forward with Formation of Redevelopment Commission
The Pulaski County Commissioners recently gave permission to move forward with a Redevelopment Commission for the county.
Pulaski County Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer approached the commissioners with the idea a few months ago and explained how it could help in terms of economic development.
