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.

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Pulaski County on Track to Save $25,000, After Outsourcing Lawn Care

Outsourcing lawn care appears to be working well for the Pulaski County government. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county commissioners Monday it’s still a learning experience for both him and contractor TK Lawn Services, but he thinks it will be a good working relationship. “By the end of this year, I’ll have a solid understanding of how much contracting this out has saved the county,” he said, “but at this point, so far, it looks like about $25,000, when you figure all the different things in, from me not needing to replace one person that I lost, to fuel savings and that sort of thing.”

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Courthouse Elevator Update to be Given to Pulaski County Commissioners

The Pulaski County Commissioners will get an update tonight on the courthouse elevator replacement project from Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston. The old elevator is being replaced with a larger one that’s fully ADA-compliant. However, the ongoing construction has forced many government meetings to be moved elsewhere. County officials with offices in the courthouse have also had to make arrangements for those who can’t use the stairs.

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Pulaski County Child Abuse Prevention Event Planned for Thursday

 

Pulaski County officials are holding an event this week to raise awareness of child abuse. “It is Thursday, April 19 at 12:30 at the Pulaski County Courthouse Lawn,” County Commissioner Kenny Becker announced during last week’s joint county council and commissioners meeting. “There’ll be a face painter, music, activities, community speakers at the event.” He added that the goal of the event is to offer residents resources, educational ideas, and actions they can take to prevent child abuse.

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Weekly Farmers’ Markets Planned for Winamac, Francesville

The Pulaski County Farmers’ Market continues to expand. Rather than alternating between Winamac and Francesville each week, a weekly market will be held in both communities this year. “This year, they will be every Saturday in Winamac and every Thursday evening in Downtown Francesville,” Community Development Commission Executive Director Nathan Origer told the county commissioners last week. “So they’re expanding the opportunities for the market, and they’ll just be consistently in Winamac on Saturdays.”

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Pulaski Council Updated on Courthouse Elevator Replacement, Lawn Care and Snow Removal Costs

Preparations continue for the replacement of the Pulaski County Courthouse elevator. Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston told the county council Monday the project is going well. “All the material has been ordered,” he said. “The demolition is going to actually begin the end of this month, the last week of this month.”

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Pulaski County to Reactivate Security Committee, Following Proposal to Move Circuit Court

Pulaski Circuit Court Judge Michael Shurn discusses the proposed relocation of circuit court with the county commissioners.

Discussions about moving Pulaski Circuit Court into the Justice Center are drawing complaints from Judge Michael Shurn. During Monday’s county commissioners meeting, Shurn complained that he hasn’t been included in recent discussions. “I never see it on the docket, but yet I read about it in the newspaper,” he said. “You’re trying to decide what security is, and you’re trying to decide the future of the Circuit Court. You know, I think it would behoove you all to actually involve the Circuit Court in that conversation. I’m sort of shocked that you don’t do that.”

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Pulaski County Courthouse Elevator Construction Bids Opened, Legal Settlement Considered

The Pulaski County Courthouse elevator is a step closer to getting replaced. Bids from three construction companies were opened during last week’s county commissioners meeting. They ranged from $489,000 to over $594,000. The bids will now be reviewed by Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Johnston, County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, and representatives from Keystone Architecture, before the commissioners make a decision.

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