Several Concerns Remain to Be Addressed, As Pulaski County’s Budget Discussions Continue

The Pulaski County Council is hoping to cut budgets, adjust the salary matrix, and start reconfiguring the county’s tax structure, all within the next month or so. Council members will continue discussing potential budget cuts with department heads tonight and next Monday at 7:00 p.m. EDT in the Pulaski County Highway Garage. During last week’s special session, Council Member Kathi Thompson said there are still several departments they need to see.

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Judges Discuss Potential Cost-Saving Opportunities with Pulaski County Council

As the Pulaski County Council continues exploring potential budget cuts, the county’s judges and chief probation officer had the chance to share their cost-saving ideas Monday. Circuit Court Judge Mary Welker told council members that there’s $50,000 in the commissioners’ budget for detention of children that she doesn’t think will be needed.

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Town-Organized Elections Will Mean Cost Savings for Pulaski County Government

Medaryville and Monterey will be handling their own General Elections this year, without the direct involvement of the Pulaski County Election Board. County Clerk JoLynn Behny told the rest of the county election board Tuesday that she’s received a resolution to that effect from the Town of Medaryville, and she expects Monterey to send one soon.

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Pulaski County Council Approves Tax Abatement Renewals, Despite Compliance Concerns

The Pulaski County Council narrowly approved a list of tax abatement renewals Monday, despite concerns about one business’s compliance. FRATCO’s paperwork drew the attention of Council Member Kathi Thompson. She pointed out that while the business was meeting its requirement for the number of employees, the total salaries that were listed fell short of projections.

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Pulaski County Council to Explore Potential Budget Cuts with Courts, Probation Office Tonight

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

The Pulaski County Council will continue looking for ways to cut expenses tonight. For the past month, the council has been meeting with department heads for preliminary discussions on their 2020 budgets. The goal is to avoid a $2.7 million deficit that’s projected to develop over the coming years. Meeting with the council tonight will be the two courts and Probation Office, according to the Auditor’s Office.

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Pulaski County Council Votes to Release Fiscal Plan to Public

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

Pulaski County’s preliminary fiscal plan is now officially public record. The county council voted unanimously last week to authorize Auditor Laura Wheeler to release the plan to members of the public, if requested.

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Confusion Remains over Pulaski County Highway Department Seasonal Employees’ Pay Rate

Some Pulaski County Highway Department employees will have to wait a bit longer before finding out whether they’ll get a pay raise. Highway Superintendent Terry Ruff asked the county council last week for a final decision on the pay rate for seasonal employees. “The seasonal is the mower guys and what we’re doing, the blacktop and everything, in the summertime,” Ruff explained.

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Pulaski County Commissioners to Choose Veterans Service Officer, Discuss IT Contractor

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

The Pulaski County Commissioners may appoint a new veterans service officer this morning. They were initially scheduled to make an appointment back in May, but the process was delayed after a district officer from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs pointed out that there were several requirements that weren’t in the county’s job description.

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Pulaski Council Approves Budget Transfers for Deputy and Dispatcher Overtime, Fiscal Planning

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

Pulaski County sheriff’s deputies have been busy recently, and that’s led to a significant shortfall in the department’s overtime budget. The county council voted Monday to transfer a total of $27,000 out of the deputy salary and part-time dispatcher salary line items, to fill the gap.

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Pulaski County Government Offices to Be Responsible for IT Costs, County Council Raises Questions

Pulaski County government offices with technology needs will now have to find money to pay for them out of their own budgets. For the past few years, those expenses had come under the IT Department’s budget, but it was recently disbanded, after it apparently used up all its money for the year. Last week, the commissioners officially voted to have individual departments cover their own IT costs, until they can reach a long-term solution.

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Pulaski County Council Approves Bond Issuance for Library Lead Dust, Asbestos Remediation

The Pulaski County Public Library will be able to issue bonds for lead dust and asbestos remediation. The county council passed a resolution Monday allowing the library to borrow $1.75 million, pending the review of County Attorney Kevin Tankersley. Of that, $1.45 million will go toward construction costs.

Testing has revealed the presence of asbestos in the Pulaski County Courthouse, but not as much as county officials may have expected. Courthouse project liaison Nathan Origer told the county commissioners that samples were taken from various locations inside and outside the historic building. If you think that you have the presence of asbestos we recommend you to contact asbestos survey birmingham to find out what is the status of this in your home or business.

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Pulaski County Council to Consider Library Bond, EMS On-Call Pay, Budget Transfers Tonight

Pulaski County Council: back row: Mike Tiede, Kathi Thompson, Brian Young; front row: Scott Hinkle, Rudy DeSabatine, Jay Sullivan (not pictured: Ken Boswell)

The Pulaski County Public Library may be moving ahead with a bond issuance. Library Attorney Justin Schramm is expected to discuss it with the county council tonight. Officials have been working on plans for lead dust and asbestos remediation in nonpublic areas of the Winamac library.

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