Pulaski County’s salary matrix will continue to be discussed during tonight’s county council meeting. A salary ordinance revision will be up for the council’s approval, while Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston is expected to request a budget transfer and additional appropriation to help cover the wages of part-time employees.
Pulaski Council Makes Funds Available to Pay Five Sheriff’s Department Staff Members
Making sure money is available to pay Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department employees was the goal of a couple budget items approved by the county council this month. To help balance the county’s General Fund budget, council members had previously moved several staff members’ salaries into other parts of the budget. But that’s led to some new issues.
Pulaski County Council Finalizes Local Funding Match for Arens Field Upgrades
Funding arrangements for upgrades to Arens Field are back in place, following action by the Pulaski County Council last week. The airport is in the process of getting more than $200,000 worth of improvements. Pulaski County only has to pay five percent of the cost, since the rest will be covered in state and federal grants. However, much of the local match was apparently cut from this year’s budget.
Pulaski Council Votes to Correct Improper Payment Made to Highway Department Employees
Confusion about checks paid to two Pulaski County Highway Department employees led to a heated debate during last week’s county council meeting. The first had to do with $2,500 paid to Secretary Jessica Rausch for her duties as asset management coordinator. Last month, council members agreed to transfer that amount into the department’s asset management services line item. Auditor Laura Wheeler then apparently paid the money to Rausch as part of her paycheck. She asked council members last week to adjust the salary ordinance accordingly.
Pulaski County Commissioners Approve Budget Transfer to Pay Elevator Project Bill
The Pulaski County Commissioners have approved a budget transfer to try to keep the courthouse elevator replacement project on track. They agreed Monday to use nearly $28,000 out of their budget to cover a construction bill, until the county council can finalize an additional appropriation.
Coroner’s Office Fees Considered by Pulaski County Council, Commissioners
The Pulaski County Coroner’s Office continues to explore the possibility of charging for copies of certain reports. Coroner John Behny and Chief Deputy Jon Frain presented a few fee collection options to the county council and commissioners last week. “We’re talking about the autopsy report, the toxicology report, the coroner’s summary, or the coroner’s verdict,” Frain explained. Continue reading
Pulaski County Officials Consider Posting Speed Limit on 250 North
Pulaski County officials are looking at reducing the speed limit on County Road 250 North. Last week, resident Greg Hilderbrandt asked the county council and commissioners to lower the speed limit from 55 to 45 miles per hour.
Pulaski Superior Court Again Requests More Money for Pauper Counsel Costs
Pulaski Superior Court Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher is asking the county for another $40,000 for pauper counsel costs. She told the county council last week that the $20,000 budgeted for this year and an additional appropriation of $40,000 have already been used up.
Pulaski County Health Department Concerned About Lack of Funds, Access to Financial Information
The Pulaski County Health Department will be able to continue operating as usual, in spite of a lack of funds. That’s the assurance county council members gave to Health Department staff last week.
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office Sells Heavy-Duty Vests to Starke County for $5,000
Pulaski County has made $5,000 by selling some unneeded police equipment to Starke County. Sheriff Jeff Richwine told the county council and commissioners Monday that he recently sold eight or nine heavy-duty vests, along with some helmets. Continue reading
Pulaski Council Continues Funding Arrangements for Courthouse Elevator Replacement
The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator replacement project could be in jeopardy because the county council failed to make funding arrangements ahead of time. That was the fear that Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston shared during Monday’s council meeting.
Some Pulaski County Employees Asked to Give Back Pay Raises, Council Adopts Written Salary Guidelines
As the Pulaski County Council tries to clarify the county’s pay structure, department heads continue to express frustration over how it’s been implemented so far. Last month, Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston complained that while two of his part-time employees got a pay raise after working for 630 hours with the apparent blessing of the council, the same increase wasn’t given to a third staff member. Now, he says the Auditor’s Office has not only taken away the raises from the first two employees, but that they’re now being asked to pay that money back. Continue reading
Pulaski County Coroner’s Office to Move into Former Winamac Masonic Lodge
The Pulaski County coroner will soon have a dedicated morgue and office. The county council and commissioners voted Monday to purchase the former Winamac Masonic Lodge at 108 North Franklin Street for $50,000.
Pulaski Council to Consider Written Salary Guidelines, Funding for Courthouse Elevator Replacement
A set of written guidelines on Pulaski County’s pay structure are expected to be approved during tonight’s county council meeting. An 11-page draft document was presented to council members last month, and department heads were given a chance to offer input. The guidelines are designed to clarify a number of issues, including the pay rate for part-time employees and the process of amending the pay structure going forward.
Pulaski County Courthouse Elevator Work Still Ahead of Schedule, Despite Shaft Issue
The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator replacement project remains ahead of schedule, in spite of a few hiccups. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county commissioners Monday that work was at a standstill, after it was determined the elevator shaft would have to be moved by three inches.
Pulaski Commissioners Schedule Hearing for Upcoming Deed Sale, Make Appointments
The Pulaski County Commissioners are planning to auction some county-owned land. They’re looking to hold a commissioners deed sale on August 1, but before that, they’ll hold a public hearing to set a minimum price and officially schedule the auction. The public hearing will take place Monday, June 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Pulaski County Highway Garage, before the commissioners’ joint meeting with the county council.
Pulaski County Justice Center Door Control Upgrades to Start Today
Installation of a new door control system at the Pulaski County Justice Center is set to start today.
Pulaski County May Hire Consultants to Determine Potential Wind Farm’s Financial Impact
Before allowing a possible wind farm in Pulaski County, local officials may ask for some outside help in determining its impact on property values and tax revenues.
Pulaski County Council Decides Not to Proceed with Additional Funding for Human Services
Pulaski County Human Services will not be getting a funding boost from the county. Executive Director Jacki Frain asked the county council last week for another $10,000, after the organization was only budgeted to get $30,000 in county funding this year. While that’s the same amount that Human Services got last year, Frain said it’s about $15,000 less than what it traditionally got in the past.
Pulaski Council Finalizes Additional Appropriations Three Months After They Were Requested
More than $1.4 million in additional appropriations that were requested back in February were finally approved by the Pulaski County Council this week. The bulk of that was to allow the County Highway Department to spend Community Crossings grant funds on bridge and paving projects. Continue reading
