Pulaski County Commissioners Table Bids for Bridge Inspections

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
It’s time again for Pulaski County to prepare for their next round of bridge inspections and Highway Superintendent Mark Fox presented eight proposals for the work at the county commissioners’ meeting Monday night. Fox told the commissioners that it would be idea to make a “scoring team,” a committee to evaluate the proposals and ensure that they are comparing apples to apples and each proposal meets the required specs.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Approve Maintenance Quotes

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners last night approved a quote to perform concrete work at the county annex building. Jeff Johnston, maintenance director for the county, told the commissioners that he would like to start the work in September and in order to do so, the commissioners would need to approve one of the quotes during the meeting.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Highway Supt. Finds 12 Miles of State/Local Road Discrepancies

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Highway Department is in the process of updating their road inventory through the state. According to Mark Fox, highway superintendent, more state funds will soon make their way to the county’s coffers after he found discrepancies between the state’s road inventory for Pulaski County and the county’s road inventory, totaling 12 miles of road that were not accounted for by the state.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County to Be Spotlighted in “Savor Indiana”

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County will soon have its time in the spotlight, as the county commissioners this week approved a $10,000 expense to feature the county on a PBS program aimed at promoting tourism for counties in Indiana. According to Nathan Origer, executive director of the Pulaski County Economic Development Commission, Savor Indiana is a 30-minute program that will highlight various tourist attractions – everything from outdoor recreation and nature opportunities to unique dining options that visitors might find attractive.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Discuss Changing Life Insurance Provider

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners are considering the idea of moving life insurance options and disabilities to Symetra Life Insurance following a presentation from Dave Bennett and Bob Zavacky as well as a representative from Cigna. Bennett explained that Symetra would offer a better rate for short-term disability and life insurance, saving the county more than $1400 per year with a 36-month guaranteed rate.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Zoning Ordinance Amendment

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week passed a motion amending the zoning ordinance to allow for manufactured housing at the recommendation of Building Inspector David Dare. Dare told the commissioners that the Advisory Plan Commission recommended to him that he request an amendment to the current zoning ordinance after they learned that several manufactured homes have been established in agricultural zoning districts – something that the zoning ordinance does not allow for.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Maintenance Expenses

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Jeff Johnston, maintenance director for Pulaski County, request the approval of purchases from the county commissioners this week that he claims will help improve the condition of the county annex building.

Johnston told the commissioners that he is working on completing a number of maintenance projects, including some deficiencies that were found while repairing the air conditioning at the courthouse. The electrical work at the courthouse has also been completed, though they need to perform some follow-up tasks such as labeling the breaker box.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Highway Department to Purchase New Software

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Highway Department will soon have a much easier time tracking resources, as the county commissioners this week passed a motion to purchase a county highway resource tracking system at a cost of $6000 for the first year, $1500 for the second. Mark Fox, highway superintendent, told the commissioners that the first year’s cost would include the purchase and licensing fee, software training and support as well as enhancements and future updates.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Review Bridge Inspections

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The bridge inspections for Pulaski County have been completed. According to Jeff Larrison and Matt Lee of United Consulting, 73 routine bridge inspections have been completed this year and the pair presented the report to the county commissioners at their meeting Monday night.

Continue reading →

State Legislators May Override Pence’s Veto of CAGIT Bill

Posted on Author WKVI
State Senator Ed Charbonneau
State Senator Ed Charbonneau

State Senator Ed Charbonneau visited Pulaski County this week to speak to the county commissioners and council during a joint session held Monday night regarding a revenue bill vetoed by Governor Mike Pence that could affect the county’s CAGIT moneys. State Representative Doug Gutwein previously explained to the boards that a clerical error at the state level could force the county to pay taxpayers back millions of dollars that had been collected by the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax – money that had originally been collected to cover the cost of the jail – because the state claims that the county overcharged its taxpayers. The county still owes roughly $5 million on the jail facility.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Council, Commissioners Approve Amendment to Personnel Policy

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Pulaski County Council and commissioners met in a joint session last night to discuss an amendment to the personnel policy regarding overtime, paid time off, holidays and bereavement pay. Commissioner Larry Brady was present at the meeting while commissioners Tracey Shorter and Terry Young were unable to make it to the meeting; Shorter, however, was available via speakerphone.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Assessor’s Office Move Still On Hold

Posted on Author WKVI

 
 
The Pulaski County assessor’s office isn’t going anywhere any time soon, as the commissioners this week once again tabled the matter and encouraged Assessor Holly VanDerAa to return at their second meeting in July for an update on the situation. Commissioner Tracey Shorter said she feels like the commissioners have a plan in place for the office move, but she needs to get other county officials on board with the plan before it can proceed. To that end, she said, she will need to touch base with everyone involved and will update VanDerAa in July.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Discuss Call-Out Pay for Highway Dept. Employees

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County highway superintendent is looking to have the handbook edited to allow for overtime when he calls highway department employees at home asking them to clear roads after a storm or other incident. Mark Fox told the commissioners that call-out pay is a necessity, stating that this week was a prime example; he called employees at 5:30 in the morning and sent them out, working outside their regular hours to clear roads and perform other maintenance to ensure the safety of residents.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners Approve Server Replacement

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners this week accepted a change order from CenturyLink that increased the 911 system project cost by nearly $22,000. RB Walters of DeGroot Technology told the commissioners last month that these change notices required their approval and the commissioners approved them pending council approval. Since then, the council gave their blessing, and the commissioners this week proceeded with accepting the change orders.

Continue reading →

Pulaski County Commissioners Receive Update on AED Purchases

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The purchase of automated external defibrillators for Pulaski County is still on hold until Sherry Fagner from the Pulaski County Health Department can determine whether or not a grant for the AEDs is available from the state. EMS Director Nikki Lowry gave her monthly report to the commissioners this week and explained that the grant would possibly cover the cost of up to seven defibrillators, and she needs to know which county buildings would most need the life-saving devices.

Continue reading →

Unexpected Expenses Found in Pulaski County 911 System Project

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
RB Walters from DeGroot Technology told the Pulaski County Commissioners this week that the 911 system project is going to be a bit more expensive than they had anticipated. Walters said he has received a number of change notices from CenturyLink which stated that they were making changes to their quote.

Continue reading →

State Rep. Gutwein Explains State CAGIT Concerns in Pulaski County

Posted on Author WKVI
State Representative Douglas Gutwein explains the confusion regarding the CAGIT tax to the council and commissioners.
State Representative Douglas Gutwein explains the confusion regarding the CAGIT tax to the council and commissioners.

State Representative Douglas Gutwein visited Pulaski County this week to speak to the county commissioners and council during a joint session held Monday night regarding a revenue bill vetoed by Governor Mike Pence that could affect the county’s CAGIT moneys. Gutwein explained that a clerical error at the state level could force the county to pay taxpayers back millions of dollars that had been collected by the County Adjusted Gross Income Tax – money that had originally been collected to cover the cost of the jail – because the state claims that the county overcharged its taxpayers. The county still owes roughly $5 million on the jail facility.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Commissioners, Building Inspector Discuss Home Demolition

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Commissioners and Building Inspector Dave Dare held a discussion regarding an unsafe building at 533 N. Monticello St. in Winamac that Dare said is in very bad shape and needs to be addressed. He said the order to repair or demolish the building went out on April 24 and he received confirmation of its delivery via certified mail on April 26.

Continue reading →

Pulaski Council, Commissioners Discuss Personnel Policy

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The Pulaski County Council and commissioners met in a joint session last night to discuss the personnel policy, particularly holiday pay and paid time off for sheriff’s department and EMS employees. Paula Reimers of Wagner, Irwin & Sheely appeared before the two boards in an effort to get the mess sorted out, and a lengthy discussion followed.

Because the county has 119 employees to worry about, the county council and commissioners would be hard-pressed to find a policy that would suit everyone’s needs, and the council sought changes to the policy to ensure fairness between departments. Reimers expressed to the boards that some important questions that needed answered regarding the policy included whether or not 12-hour shift employees would receive 12 or eight hours’ pay for holidays, whether those working on holidays would receive time and a half, and whether or not to allow employees to “bank” their holiday time.

Continue reading →

iPad Purchases Leave Commissioners Budget Short

Posted on Author WKVI

Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
Pulaski County Commissioners Larry Brady, Vice President Terry Young, and President Tracey Shorter
The purchase of eight defibrillators for office buildings in Pulaski County hinges on the council’s willingness to appropriate funds for the potentially life-saving devices. Commissioners approved the expenditure last week. However, they don’t have funds readily available to make the purchase, having spent nearly their entire discretionary budget on iPads. Council members repeatedly refused to purchase the tablet computers for the commissioners and finally told them they can spend money in the commissioners budget without obtaining the council’s permission. If the council approves that expenditure when they meet tonight, it will still need to be advertised and approved at their June meeting.