The Starke County Council will consider Sheriff Bill Dulin’s request to transfer money within his budget when they meet this evening. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Struggle With Jail Budget
Starke County officials are looking at short and long-term ways to shore up operating expenses at the new jail. It has been open for about a year, and budgeted operating costs were based on an actuarial study done for the county. Information shared during last night’s joint meeting of the council and commissioners indicates those recommendations may have been based on flawed information. Continue reading
Starke Hospital CEO Discusses New Facility Plans
Negotiations between the county and the new owners of Starke Hospital regarding the construction of a new facility on the existing site are ongoing. The county owns the current building at the corner of Heaton Street and Culver Road in Knox and the land on which is sits, but the hospital is operated by Community Health Systems. Starke Hospital CEO Craig Felty says they’re making progress in negotiations with the county for a new lease. Continue reading
Starke County Officials to Discuss Jail Operating Costs
The Starke County Council and Commissioners will meet in special session this evening to discuss the sheriff department budget. Last month the council deferred Sheriff Bill Dulin’s request for an additional appropriation until they can get a handle on expenses at the justice center. The new jail has been open for about a year, and budgeted operating costs were based on an actuarial study done for the county. Continue reading
Starke County EMS Fills Full-Time Positions
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes some recent hires will alleviate some of the staffing issues for the county ambulance service. He told the commissioners Monday evening he’s finalizing the hiring of two full-time paramedics. They’re expected to start July 1. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Discuss Options for Coroner Space
The Starke County Commissioners are still trying to find permanent space for the coroner’s office. It’s presently located at the old jail across from the courthouse. However, that space is due to be renovated later this year into offices for Starke County Community Corrections, the probation department and Purdue Extension. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Contemplate Ambulance Purchases
The Starke County Commissioners have deferred a decision on the purchase of two used ambulances. EMS Director Keith Emigh told the commissioners Monday the diesel trucks are both 2005 models with 125,000 and 118,000 miles respectively. The $20,000 per truck price includes lights, which typically cost extra when purchasing any sort of new emergency vehicle. Continue reading
Highway Superintendent Elaborates on Plans for State Money
Starke County officials hope to use available state funds to significantly accelerate their bridge replacement schedule. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the commissioners Monday evening their asset management plan to apply for matching money from the state includes two projects. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Discuss Airport Zoning
The Starke County Commissioners will consider a revised zoning ordinance for the Starke County Airport when they meet this evening. The county council has already blessed the change in order to allow for the eventual extension of the airport runway by 5,000 feet with grant money from the Federal Aviation Administration. Continue reading
Commissioners Decide on Courthouse HVAC Option
The Starke County Commissioners this week decided to go with a less expensive, four-furnace heating and cooling system for the courthouse as part of the upcoming building renovation project. Commissioner Kathy Norem says the proposed scope of work includes regulator replacement.
Starke Commissioners Looking to Fill Board Vacancies
The Starke County Commissioners are looking to fill three seats on the Convention and Visitor’s Commission. The board promotes the development and growth of the convention, visitor and tourism industry in the county. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Amend Unsafe Building Ordinance
The Starke County Commissioners adopted amendments to the county’s unsafe building ordinance last night amid enthusiastic support from members of the public. Koontz Lake residents in particular attended the meeting and expressed frustration with the prevalence of visible junk vehicles, trash and other debris they say are driving down property values and affecting quality of life. Concerns were also raised about trash that’s not properly disposed of attracting rodents and potentially spreading diseases. Continue reading
Council to Discuss Additional Transportation Funds
The Starke County Council will consider a proposal from the highway superintendent with regard to additional state transportation funds when they meet this evening. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler assembled a road funding committee to discuss options for the one-time appropriation from the state. He also hopes to come up with the required local match to draw down additional funds in order to free up $1 million for additional uses throughout the county over the next five years. Continue reading
WorkOne Expands County Job Training Program
The recently announced job training partnership between the Starke County Highway Department and WorkOne has been expanded. It was initially designed to give young people up to age 24 who are not in high school or college a chance to learn “soft skills” like arriving at work on time and showing up for scheduled shifts. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Approve Overtime Policy for Sheriff’s Employees
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office can keep a better budgetary handle on overtime for sheriff’s deputies, investigators and correctional officers thanks to action this week by the county commissioners. They adopted an ordinance to modify their pay periods for the purpose of overtime to 48 hours instead of 40. County attorney Marty Lucas says federal law provides a partial overtime exemption for uniformed, plainclothes and corrections officers because of the way their hours are typically structured. Continue reading
Commissioners Receive Bid for SCILL Center Robotics Equipment
The Starke County Economic Development Foundation is a big step closer to ordering equipment for the SCILL Center’s new robotics and automation program. The county commissioners Monday opened a lone bid for everything needed for the startup. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners Weigh Courthouse Cooling Options
The Starke County Commissioners may opt for quality over quantity when it comes to the comfort of courthouse staff in the proposed renovation plans. They’re in the midst of finalizing the bid packets for updates to the courthouse and renovations of the former jail across the street. Continue reading
Starke Commissioners to Continue Courthouse Renovation Talks
The Starke County Commissioners will continue their discussion of renovation plans for the old jail and courthouse when they meet this evening. Last week officials met with representatives from the Starke County Historical Society to review the plans and get their blessing, since the courthouse is the oldest building in the county. Work is scheduled to start in July and wrap up by the end of the year, according to a previously announced timeline. Continue reading
More Mechanical Woes for Starke County EMS Grovertown Rig
The Starke County EMS rig based at Grovertown is having more mechanical problems. Director Keith Emigh told the county commissioners Monday night the truck is not shifting into first or second gear. He’s not sure if the problem is electrical or is in the transmission. Continue reading
WorkOne, Starke County Highway Department Team Up to Offer Worker Training
Young people looking to gain work experience will have an opportunity to do so this summer after action Monday night by the Starke County Commissioners. They approved a partnership between the county highway department and the local WorkOne office. County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says it will give young people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are not in high school or college a chance to learn “soft skills” like arriving at work on time and showing up for scheduled shifts. Continue reading