Pulaski County has decided to chip in $30,000 to help the Indian Trails Career Cooperative upgrade its equipment and train teachers. Indian Trails requested $100,000 from each of the five counties it serves to apply for a Skill UP grant from the state. Any money committed locally would be matched three-to-one, if Indian Trails is selected.
Pulaski County Courthouse Elevator Construction Pushed Back to March
The replacement of the elevator at the Pulaski County Courthouse has been delayed slightly. “Because we got no bids on the elevator project, we had to push the date back for construction,” Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county council and commissioners Monday. “With pushing it back to March, we were able to get three interested parties.”
Metal Fab Engineering Granted Tax Abatement for Equipment Upgrades
The Pulaski County Council has finalized a tax abatement for Metal Fab Engineering. Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told council members Monday that the request would help the company buy new automation equipment and Squickmons plasma cutters. That’s expected to lead to the creation of about 10 new jobs.
Then for some exterior metal we needed a nice ultra-marine blue and so chose the Ral 5002 powder coating from Trident Powders and it has worked amazingly well so we are very pleased with that.
One unusual thing about this request, according to Origer, is that the equipment has already been installed. “There is a mechanism that we have employed in the past that will allow for us to move forward with a resolution for a tax abatement,” he explained, “if we first approve a resolution waiving the non-compliance and saying, ‘Yes, technically you shouldn’t have it in before you submitted the paperwork, but we want to work with you and we are going to allow that.'” Both of the necessary resolutions were approved by the county council Monday.
Continue readingOpen House Planned for Pulaski County CASA Program
Pulaski County residents have the chance to learn how they can help guide abused and neglected kids through the court system. Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn told the county council and commissioners Monday that an open house is planned, to celebrate the county’s newly-independent Court Appointed Special Advocates program. Continue reading
Pulaski County Council to Consider Potential Metal Fab Tax Abatement, Vocational Training Funding
The possibility of a tax abatement for Metal Fab Engineering will be considered by the Pulaski County Council tonight. Council members will decide whether to confirm the business’s designation as an economic recovery area. That would allow the company to request a tax abatement. Members of the public will have a chance to weigh in tonight, before a decision is made.
Pulaski County Comp Time Policy May Be Reviewed by Personnel Committee
Updates to Pulaski County’s comp time policy may have to wait until the county’s personnel committee has a chance to review it. The county commissioners have been considering increasing the amount of comp time that can be carried over from year to year from 20 to 40 hours. Part of the reason is to make it easier for employees to use it for needed medical procedures.
Declining Population Could Cost Pulaski County Millions in Lost Income Tax Revenue
Pulaski County stands to lose several million dollars in income tax revenues over the coming decades, due to declining population. That’s according to Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer. He presented some rough estimates to the county council last week. Continue reading
Pulaski County to Outsource EMS Billing
Pulaski County Emergency Medical Services will no longer handle billing in-house. The county commissioners voted Monday to hire a company called Ambulance Billing Services to do it, at the recommendation of Interim EMS Director Kyle McTiegue. Continue reading
Pulaski County Courthouse Security Discussions Continue
Pulaski County officials continue to discuss potential courthouse security upgrades. A list of recommendations was presented to the county council and commissioners over a year ago, but little progress has been made since then.
Pulaski Council Approves Budget Transfer for $12,000 Washing Machine
A new washing machine for the Pulaski County Jail will end up costing the county over $12,000.
Pulaski County Council Approves $35,000 Additional Appropriation for IT Department
The Pulaski County Council this week approved a $35,000 additional appropriation, to make up for a shortfall in the county’s IT budget.
Pulaski Circuit Court to Make CASA Program Full-Time
An uptick in court cases involving children has led to some changes for Pulaski County’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program. CASAs are trained volunteers who help guide abused and neglected kids through the court system.
Pulaski Circuit Court Granted Permission to Spend Another $10,000 on Employee Overtime
The Pulaski County Council has finalized an additional appropriation for circuit court overtime costs. Judge Michael Shurn was given permission Monday to spend another $10,000 on employee overtime.
Coroner Pay Structure Debated During Pulaski County Council Meeting
Pulaski County Coroner’s staff say they aren’t getting paid what they’re owed by the county. Under the county’s pay structure, Coroner John Behny and Chief Deputy Jon Frain each receive an annual salary, plus additional money for each call they respond to. But how much they’re supposed to get per call was a topic of debate during Monday’s county council meeting.
Pulaski County Council Creates Preliminary Economic Revitalization Area for Metal Fab Engineering
A Pulaski County manufacturer may soon be seeking a tax abatement. The county council approved a resolution Monday creating a preliminary economic revitalization area for Metal Fab Engineering.
Pulaski County Council to Consider Additional Appropriations for Circuit Court, IT Department
The Pulaski County Council will consider extra funding to cover overtime costs for Circuit Court staff tonight. Judge Michael Shurn is asking for permission to spend another $10,000 for employee overtime. Several cases have been transferred to Circuit Court from Superior Court, following Crystal Brucker Kocher’s appointment as Superior Court judge this past summer. There are many cases she’s not allowed to hear because she worked on them when she was chief deputy prosecutor.
Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Calls for Security Upgrades, Following Increase in Courtroom Violence
Pulaski County may be reviving its courthouse security efforts, after a recent spike in violence. Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn told the county commissioners Monday that a courtroom fight between attorneys last week was especially alarming. Continue reading
Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy Recognized by U.S. Representative Walorski
A Pulaski County Sheriff’s Deputy was recently recognized for his actions during a multi-county pursuit last March. Deputy Branson Eber was commended by U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski. Earlier this month, she had a formal recognition of Eber included in the Congressional Record.
Pulaski Circuit Court Reverses Change in Posted Operating Hours, Amid Confusion
Pulaski Circuit Judge Michael Shurn is trying to clear up some confusion about recent changes to the court’s hours of operation.
Pulaski County Council Finalizes Budget Transfers for Sheriff’s Department
Overtime costs continue to add up for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department. Last week, the county council approved the transfer of $11,200 into the Chief Sergeant and Deputy Overtime budget from various line items, at the request of Sheriff Jeff Richwine. Continue reading
