Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer says he’s taking steps to save the county money, but other county officials are worried that could lead to some legal troubles. Hoffer addressed several concerns during last week’s county council and county commissioners meetings.
Starke County Council Sets Hourly Pay Rate for EMA Director
Starke County Highway Department Anticipating Future U.S. 30 Upgrades
Starke County Commissioners Approve Courthouse Elevator Grant Application
Starke County Council to Hold Public Hearing Tonight on North Judson-San Pierre Budget
Railroad Pavement Markings, Signs to be Updated
Some railroad signs and pavement markings will be updated soon in Starke County.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners this week that INDOT recently conducted a railroad crossing audit for the county. Crews found 23 crossings that needed improvement with updated pavement markings or signs.
Ritzler said he is working on funding to update these crossings.
Highway Superintendent Completes ADA Audits of County Buildings
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler reported to the Starke County Commissioners Monday night that the county buildings fared pretty well during a recent ADA audit.
Ritzler said only minor issues were found.
“I did an initial ADA audit of the courthouse, annex building, annex 2 with Jim Coad, I did the highway garage myself, and did the justice center with Tony Mildice,” explained Ritzler. “There were no deficiencies found at the justice center. Three were found in the new annex building, four in the courthouse, three in the annex and two at the garage. Most of those were just minor things like signage and counter height. The only major one that we had there was no curb cut at the new annex building in the front.”
Starke County Sheriff Requests Three Full-Time Staff Members
The Starke County Commissioners considered a proposal from Sheriff Bill Dulin to move three part-time employees to full-time positions at the Starke County Sheriff’s Office in 2018.
Sheriff Dulin said he’d like to have a full-time receptionist, full-time cook and full-time 911 operator. He said a significant savings in part-time funding would be saved if these three employees moved to full-time. He is also asking for a raise of $1,000 for dispatchers to be included in the 2018 budget.
Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will discuss several items when they meet for their meeting later tonight.
EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will have their regular report along with a review of the budget and a transfer request. The pair appeared before the county council last month asking for additional funds to help sustain the budget. Ambulance repairs have taken a toll on funds.
Starke County Council to Review Officer Pay
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin asked the county council members to review the pay scale for the sheriff’s department.
Sheriff Dulin said he’s losing officers to other departments and the salary offered is not competitive with other departments. In fact, he told the council that he’s lost four officers. He said it’s hard to attract applicants with what he’s able to offer. Dulin mentioned that his department is the lowest paid department in the county and the eighth lowest in terms of competitive salaries in the state.
Starke County Commissioners Seek K-IRPC Representative
The Starke County Commissioners are looking to appoint a representative to the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (K-IRPC) Board.
Betty Dotlich recently resigned as Starke County’s representative. That resignation will need to be filled soon.
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Document Pertaining to Contaminated Property
Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas presented the Starke County Commissioners this week with a document that clarifies disclosure of properties sold in a tax sale.
Lucas said there’s a fine line of tax sale properties being sold at a “buyer beware” condition, but there should be disclosure of known issues. He’s working with Frank Lynch in the health department on this subject as the commissioners recently refunded money in a tax sale as the property was deemed contaminated. The refund was given as a case the commissioners felt warranted the action. Refunds are not common in tax sales.
Updates on Economic Projects Given to Starke County Government
A report given by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation updated the Starke County Council members and Starke County Commissioners on a few projects.
The sale of the Stelrema building on U.S. 35 north of Knox that would become a manufacturing home to the Gary Poppins Gourmet Popcorn company is not yet finalized. According to SCEDF officials, the contract is still on the table, but both sides have not agreed to sign to the terms.
ADA/Title VI Implementation Plan Presented to Starke County Commissioners
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler presented a plan to the Starke County Commissioners this week on updating some ADA requirements in terms of communication.
Ritzler commented that the American Disabilities Act forms on the website are outdated and he’s been in touch with the IT Director to work on getting those forms changed and add some required elements to the website.
Starke County Council, Commissioners to Meet Tonight
Newly installed Starke County EMS Director Travis Clary will be before the Starke County Council tonight to discuss a transfer request and an amendment to the 2017 salary ordinance. Starke County Coroner Dannie Hoffer will present an update on autopsy fees, the annual Starke County Economic Development Foundation monthly report will be given as well as an appropriation for SCILL and the council members will set a date for the county budget workshop.
The Starke County Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. CT.
Starke County Park Board Approves Grant Applications for Yellow River Access Site Project
The Starke County Park Board is moving ahead with a couple grant applications for a Yellow River access site at Range Road. The project involves the construction of a gravel lane and parking area, as well as an EZ dock kayak launch, for a cost of just over $53,000.
Starke County Park Board Discusses Plans for Beach House Patio Repair, Eventual Beach Restoration
Starke County Commissioners Provide Support for Starke County Park Board Project
Starke County Park Board representative Carolla Heilstedt appeared before the Starke County Commissioners last week requesting support for the proposed Yellow River Access Site project.
The project involves the construction of an access site including a gravel lane and parking area, an EZ dock kayak launch and dock. The site would be constructed on North Range Road, northwest of Knox. According to Heilstedt, the parcel is owned by Starke County and deeded exclusively for river access.
Starke County EMA Director Position to be Part-Time
The Starke County Commissioners made a decision concerning the employment status of the Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director.
During their Wednesday night meeting, Commissioner Kathy Norem noted that when former EMA Director Ted Bombagetti was at full-time status, half of his salary and benefits were reimbursed by the state while 25 percent of Mary Lynn Ritchie’s salary and benefits was reimbursed as the director’s secretary. With a part-time position, only 50 percent of the director’s salary would be reimbursed. It would be a cost savings to the county, but Norem was unsure how much, if any, would be reimbursed when it comes to Ritchie’s salary.
Starke County Commissioners to Meet Tonight
The Starke County Commissioners will meet tonight where contracts will be signed for the elevator at the courthouse. Paperwork from K-IRPC and DLZ will be approved in that process.
The search for a Starke County EMA Director is on tonight’s agenda. The commissioners will be discussing making it a full-time or part-time position. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler will have a report from the highway department, Maintenance Director Jim Coad will present a fire contract for the second annex building, and EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie and Assistant Director Travis Clary will provide a department report.