The Starke County Commissioners have a light agenda for their meeting this evening. It includes monthly reports from EMS and the highway department and discussion of a Microvote General Corporation Agreement. The meeting starts at 6 p.m. in meeting room at the county annex building.
The Starke County Council will consider a request for a loan from the rainy day fund to supplement the general fund budget when they meet this evening. Their meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the annex building. Continue reading
The safety program implemented in March 2013 by the Starke County Highway Department is apparently paying off. Superintendent Rik Ritzler cites crash data from the state.
“Our crashes in the past two years have dropped dramatically. It was at 196 in 2012, 154 in 2013 and 128 in 2014. We believe it’s even lower than that in 2015. They should be getting those statistics out sooner this year because they have it more automated than they’ve had in the past.” Continue reading
Friday’s candidate filing deadline brought a flurry of activity in Starke County. A total of six Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for the Commissioner District 3 seat held by Republican Kent Danford. He is not running again. Candidates include Karen Tibbs, Anthony R. Bailey, Robert G. Manning, Tony Minix, Kenneth Arnett and Joseph Woods. The winner will face Republican Charles Chesak in November. Continue reading
The relatively mild winter has resulted in considerable savings for the Starke County Highway Department. The nine winter events recorded last month cost slightly more than $50,000, according to information highway superintendent Rik Ritzler shared with the county commissioners this week. That figure includes money spent on diesel fuel, salt, sand and employee overtime. Last January the county spent more than $86,000, and two years ago January winter operations cost more than $130,000. The savings will be invested in road maintenance. Continue reading
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes to have the 2009 Ford ambulance based at Grovertown back on the road next week. The diesel rig is at Jim Dobson Ford in Winamac getting a new motor installed. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are looking for money to run fiber optic cable to the jail. It’s the recommended solution to fix communication problems with telephones and radios in the 911 dispatch center. Sheriff Bill Dulin says they’re experiencing dropped calls, which presents a potential safety hazard for officers and the public. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners will review the mileage reimbursement portion of the county’s travel policy when they meet this evening. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are looking for a very specific candidate to fill a recently vacated position. The death of Dr. Joseph Bartush created an opening on the health board. Membership criteria are defined in Indiana Code and include various members of the medical profession. Balance between political parties is also necessary. Continue reading
The soon-to-be new operators of IU Health Starke Hospital now have a signed lease in effect with the county for the facility. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners will clear the way for the sale of IU Health Starke Hospital during a special meeting later today. They will formally approve the assignment of the hospital lease to Knox Hospital, LLC during the special-called 4:30 p.m. session. That’s the limited liability company set up by IU Health and Community Health Systems. The Tennessee-based company is in the process of buying IU Health LaPorte and Starke Hospitals. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners want the planning commission to take another crack at a proposed nuisance and unsafe building ordinance. It aims to regulate what is and is not allowed in unincorporated areas of Starke County in the interest of health, safety and welfare. Continue reading
Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver will present his long-term vision for funds from the county economic development income tax to the county council when they meet this evening. In previous meetings Weaver has expressed a desire to invest in road improvements in the Knox Industrial Park to make it more attractive to businesses looking to relocate or expand. He’s also made mention of improvements in the Hamlet area. Continue reading
The new fuel pumps are in use at the Starke County Highway Garage. That’s where other county departments are able to fill their vehicles with either gasoline or diesel. The new system requires access codes, which in turn helps the highway department and auditor’s office to track fuel usage and bill departments accordingly. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners have taken a number of cost saving measures under advisement. The county has already cut more $566,000 in expenditures from the 2016 budget per orders from the state. One concern raised during the budget review process was a lack of money in the county’s cash balance. Auditor Kay Chaffins presented a list of possible cuts to the commissioners Monday evening aimed at shoring those funds up. Continue reading
The Starke County Park Board has come up with a possible solution to the beaver problem in the Starke County Forest. Continue reading
The extensive renovations of the old Starke County Jail in downtown Knox will not include space for the coroner. The county council and commissioners made that decision Monday night when they formally agreed to proceed with reconfiguring that building for the probation department and Starke County Community Corrections. Continue reading
Starke County’s 2016 budget is in balance after action by the council during a special-called Monday afternoon meeting. They found out last week the state slashed their submitted budget by more than half a million dollars. Continue reading
The Starke County Council and Commissioners have less than two weeks to slash half a million dollars from the 2016 budget. They’re meeting jointly today at 3 p.m. to begin that task. Continue reading
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are almost ready to proceed with renovations to the courthouse and old jail building across the street. They’ve got money left from the construction of the new jail east of Knox to make upgrades to both buildings for continued correctional use.
The old jail will become office space for Starke County Community Corrections and the probation department. Community Corrections Director Bob Hinojosa told the county council and commissioners Monday his board has committed $100,000 toward the renovations on the condition that the former sally port can be turned into a conference room. Continue reading
