Pulaski County Council to Adopt 2018 Budget Tonight

The Pulaski County Council is expected to adopt the county’s 2018 budget when it meets tonight. This comes after council members made an additional round of cuts to the proposal last week. That included giving county employees a one-percent raise, rather than two-percent, and denying a request from Superior Court to add a second public defender. They also plan to shift $200,000 in 911 dispatchers’ salaries out of the county’s General Fund.

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Pulaski County Council Considering Options, Following Income Tax Revenue Shortfalls

Pulaski County may be looking to state lawmakers to help make up a shortfall in local income tax revenues. The issue was brought to the attention of the county council last month, after Winamac officials noticed a sudden drop in the town’s share of Local Levy Freeze Income Tax funds. Pulaski County communities are now facing big holes in their 2018 budgets.

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Independent Bank Accounts Draw Concerns from Pulaski County Auditor

Pulaski County is looking to keep a closer eye on some of its bank accounts. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county council Wednesday that most county bank accounts are supposed to be under the jurisdiction of the treasurer, with all transactions being handled by the auditor. However, some departments have apparently set up their own independent accounts. Continue reading

Winamac Park Board Decides to Stop Pursuing Pool Project

Rendering of rebuilt Winamac pool.

Winamac’s swimming pool rebuilding effort appears to have come to an end. The town council narrowly decided Wednesday not to proceed with the project until the town has the money to support the ongoing maintenance of the pool. Without the town council’s financial support, the park board followed suit Thursday, voting to stop work on the project.

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Pulaski County Council Putting Finishing Touches on 2018 Budget Proposal

 

The Pulaski County Council met in special session Wednesday to cut $338,000 from its 2018 budget proposal. As part of that effort, county employees who were set to get a two-percent raise would now only get a one-percent increase, based on Wednesday’s discussion. That’s expected to save the county about $45,000 in next year’s budget.

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Pulaski County Commissioners Plan to Revisit Employee Comp Time Policy

It may soon be easier for Pulaski County employees to use their comp time for needed medical procedures. The issue came up during Monday’s county commissioners meeting. It was learned that an employee in the Assessor’s Office is scheduled to have a knee replacement in January and planned to use 42 hours of comp time that she’d accumulated.

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Pulaski Superior Court Makes Second Attempt at Funding Requests, After Money Fails to Arrive

The Pulaski County Council is revisiting a couple Superior Court funding requests. According to Judge Crystal Brucker Kocher, a budget transfer was requested back in March and an additional appropriation was requested in April, before she officially took over the position. But for some reason, those funds were never moved.

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