Three roads remain affected by the recent rains in Pulaski County.
Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Mark Fox reminded the commissioners Monday night that 700 South between 225 East and U.S. 35 is closed due to a flooded roadway.
Funding Approved for Water Heating System at Pulaski County Justice Center
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved funds for a continuous water heating system at the Pulaski County Justice Center.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston explained that he attempted to get quotes for an Emergency Water Heater Repair or replacement and for a continuous water heating system. Johnson said he got quotes for the equipment that is just like what the justice center has now, but found that the continuous water heating system is less expensive, more efficient and will better fit the needs at the jail.
Artifacts Found in Old Pulaski County Building during Demolition
A demolition order has been moving forward on a property next to the old hotel in Medaryville and Brian Capouch told the Pulaski County Commissioners this week that they found some historic items in the old floors in the building.
“Underneath the floors, which they had put in in 1910, we found big, thick stacks of newspapers,” told Capuch. “I have a story here, from a Chicago paper, is the notice that Mr. Comiskey is about to build a new ballpark for the Sox. This, for me, was way more valuable, it’s a letter. The old man who had the hotel was ill and this was a letter that he got from a drugist from Royal Center – which was spelled C-e-n-t-r-e at the time, as a receipt for 50 bushels of corn he bought for 46 cents a bushel.
Pulaski County County Commissioners Receive Update on Zoning Ordinances
The executive director of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission updated the county commissioners this week on plans to revamp the zoning ordinances.
Nathan Origer explained that the county council approved the transfer of funds from the CDC land acquisition account for the project and plans are progressing.
“Once I have the CDC’s formal approval and the plan commission’s formal recommendation to the commissioners, I will bring it to you. I will get a copy to you in advance as soon as we tweak any details. I sent a list of minor concerns to the company that has submitted the proposal. They don’t anticipate starting the project until mid-November and finishing in early spring. We are still negotiating with Francesville and Winamac to see if either of them want to adopt that same ordinance so that even though they’ll retain their same jurisdictions the rules will be the same across the county,” said Origer.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Purchase of New Ambulance
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved a quote for a new ambulance during their meeting on Monday night.
EMS officials announced last week that the ambulance damaged from a February fire and subsequently repaired did not pass state inspection so it was totaled by the insurance company.
During this week’s meeting, EMS Director Nikki Lowry presented the commissioners with four quotes for a new ambulance. They approved a quote from Arrow in the amount of $130,700. Since the insurance company totaled the truck, an $82,000 settlement will go toward the purchase of a new ambulance.
Pulaski County Commissioner Voices Support for County Home
A lot of discussion has been held on the County Home in Pulaski County in the past couple of months, especially since a preliminary study was released concerning structural issues that plague the rather dated facility.
Recent discussion held during a joint meeting of the county commissioners and the county council focused on three solutions to remedy the situation: closing down the county home, remodeling the county home or building a new structure.
No government officials have made a decision on what the future holds for the County Home, but there are some immediate repairs that need to be done to keep the building from further deterioration.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Discuss County Home
The Pulaski County commissioners and the county council met in joint session last night where one of the topics was the future of the county home.
In previous meetings this year, Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented the county boards with a preliminary structural condition assessment of the county home conducted by American Structurepoint, Inc. The repairs needed are extensive and are estimated between $500,000 to $1 million. With that, the government entities are wondering what should be done.
Refurbished Pulaski County Ambulance Totaled
The Pulaski County EMS staff members are looking for a new ambulance as the refurbished ambulance can not be certified.
The ambulance was damaged in a fire at Wagner Performance Diesel Repair near Star City on Feb. 7. In the last meeting of the Pulaski County Commissioners, it was reported by the county’s insurance agency that Wagner’s insurance company has accepted responsibility for the fire.
Maintenance Director Discusses Justice Center, Annex Issues with Commissioners
The Pulaski County Commissioners gave the maintenance director permission to seek an additional appropriation from the county council to replace the aging equipment at the Pulaski County Justice Center.
Some of the equipment is already starting to fail, according to Jeff Johnston. He said he’d like to take care of the equipment while there is money yet in this year’s budget.
Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Attorney’s Contract
Pulaski County attorney Kevin Tankersley presented his 2015 contract to the commissioners for review.
He explained that his rate is $150 an hour and is paid a quarterly retainer of $1,500. He said the legal issues of the county are not easy to undertake and requires time to devote to make sure the law is followed. He also acts as a human resources director to some department heads who need employee-based questions answered.
Pulaski County Highway Superintendent Provides Update to Commissioners
The Pulaski County Commissioners heard from Highway Superintendent Mark Fox on how projects are coming along this summer.
Fox explained that crews are done mowing and and grading is now being completed. Road work, including paving, is about two-thirds finished. He’s searching for a new engine for one of the dump trucks as the original motor recently expired.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Discuss Airport Concerns
The Pulaski County Commissioners and Pulaski County Council members met in joint session to clarify some questions that have arisen concerning the airport.
The issues that the council members discussed during their meeting last week was if Airport Manager Bud Wagner’s position with the county needs to be full time and about the revenue coming into the airport.
Pulaski County EMS Still Waiting to use Repaired Ambulance
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council to Meet in Joint Session Today
The Pulaski County commissioners and county council will meet in a public joint session tonight to discuss the airport operations a little further.
When the Pulaski County council members met last week, several questions were brought up concerning a part-time or full-time position for the airport manager and other issues such as fuel.
Pulaski County Council Discusses Airport Manager Position
There are still some unanswered questions for the Pulaski County Council members concerning the airport manager’s position.
Questions mentioned were the need for a full time manager or employee at the airport and what amount of fuel is needed to fill the tank on the premises for airplanes.
Pulaski County Commissioners Discuss Budget Issues
The Pulaski County Commissioners approved the recommendation by Auditor Shelia Garling to properly transfer money to a line item in the budget to cover attorneys fees for the rest of the year.
Garling explained that she fears there isn’t enough money budgeted for the rest of the year to cover the amount of claims that County Attorney Kevin Tankersley has been submitting.
Courthouse, County Home Structural Needs Reviewed by Pulaski County Commissioners
A recent building assessment of the Pleasant View Rest Home and the Pulaski County Courthouse has found some issues that need attention sooner rather than later.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston told the commissioners Monday night that some issues can wait but if other repairs go without attention, they could cost the county a lot more money.
Generator Issue Picks up Power in Pulaski County
The issue concerning generators at the county home and county health department in Pulaski County may soon come to conclusion.
Maintenance Director Jeff Johnston presented information to the commissioners about the cost associated with self-starting generators. The commission members quickly found the approximate $85,000 cost too high.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council Discuss Airport Manager
The Pulaski County Commissioners and the county council members met in a special joint session Monday afternoon to discuss a change in operations at the airport.
County Attorney Kevin Tankersley told the joint board that it was brought to his attention that Airport Manager Bud Wagner has several pieces of equipment in his name at the airport that are being used for work. He pays for the fuel and is paid back as pilots fuel planes. The landline telephone is also in his name as well as the internet service. Wagner is also not employed by the county.
While this is already against normal policy, he’s not being reimbursed for the use of these items.
Tankersley asked the joint board to make sure that he is an employee and that he receives benefits like all other employees. He also suggested that the county or the airport board purchase those items that Bud owns that are in use at the airport or buy items that are county owned. Tankersley also suggested that the airport pay for the fuel and create an account for the fuel in the county’s name.
The commissioners approved a motion to make Bud Wagner an employee. He will work 35 hours a week and receive benefits. The council will decide what to do with the equipment purchases. The council members will discuss what to do to adjust the airport budget to reflect these changes.
Pulaski County Commissioners, Council to Meet in Special Session
The Pulaski County Commissioners and the Pulaski County Council members will will meet in special session today for the purpose of discussing possible changes at the airport.
Policy updates and how things may need to change in order to move forward in the future will be topics discussed today.
