The Starke County Council members discussed funding for a new industrial-type washer and dryer at the justice center.
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin told the council members Monday night that one set is from the old location on Pearl Street and they need an additional set to keep up with the amount of laundry. A quote from Miller Laundry Service was provided at a cost of $15,152. The price includes delivery and installation.
The Starke County Council members approved funding for two Lifepak 15 cardiac monitors during their meeting Monday night.
The commissioners deemed the purchase as an emergency during their March 5 meeting after EMS Director Travis Clary reported that two decades-old devices recently quit working. That left the county with no backup devices. To ensure that each ambulance had a working device with spares, the emergency purchase was made. Clary told the county council members Monday night that the devices arrived earlier in the day.
The Starke County Council members will consider the approval of a job description for a shift supervisor for the Starke County EMS Department when they meet tonight. EMS Director Travis Clary requested support from the commissioners for the four paramedics to oversee operations while he is unable to do so. A $.25 or a $.50 increase for those assuming those duties will also be considered. The council will also determine how to fund two cardiac monitors that were deemed an emergency purchase by commissioners earlier this month. The cost is just over $42,000.
There are two new full-time paramedics on staff with the Starke County EMS Department.
EMS Director Travis Clary notified the Starke County Commissioners last week that one of the new hires started the week of March 5 and the other will begin duties this week. Two new full-time Basic EMTs were also hired. They are replacing two vacancies from resignations.
The Starke County Election Board is ready to take its proposal for voting machine upgrades to the county council and commissioners. Vendor MicroVote wants to bring the county’s 46 machines up to the latest federal standards, in time for the 2020 presidential election. Board members decided Wednesday to discuss the upgrades with the county council and commissioners during their March 19 meetings.
Funding for the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and the SCILL Center was discussed by the Starke County Council members Monday night.
The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.
Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.
The Starke County Council will meet tonight where the members will discuss an appropriation request from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation and sign a KIRPC appointment.
The council will meet at 5:30 p.m. CT followed by the Starke County Commissioners meeting at 6 p.m. CT.
Production should start soon at the Gary Poppins factory at the corner of U.S. 35 and 250 North, north of Knox.
Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation updated the Starke County Council last week that the delivery of equipment was delayed. The initial date was Nov. 1, but that has since been postponed to Feb. 1. Wickert said the company has hired a manager who now lives in Starke County.
The Starke County Council members made several appointments to boards and commissions when they met this week.
The council reorganized with a change in leadership. Brad Hazelton was elected as council president and Dave Pearman retained as council vice president. Freddie Baker opted to step down from leading the council. He held the position in 2016 and 2017.
The Starke County Council members cleared up some confusion on county police pay.
The council members approved a $5,000 raise for Starke County police officers for 2018, but they were unsure about the three percent raise that was proposed them in addition to the raise.
The Starke County Council members will be revising the salary ordinance to allow for a Starke County Sheriff’s Office employee helping out with case work.
Newly-appointed County Council President Brad Hazelton read aloud from a letter that an employee who had worked with the county for several years was hired as a part-time jailer at $14.00 an hour, which is higher than the $12.51 rate of pay, because of his many years of experience.
Starke County may soon have two more paramedics on staff.
EMS Director Travis Clary and Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie discussed the need for two full-time paramedics with both the Starke County Council and Starke County Commission members Tuesday night. They explained that it is difficult to find part-time paramedics to work for the county and it’s even harder to get part-time people to work shifts when a full-time paramedic is not able to work a shift. Clary said he’s been picking up extra shifts to fill the void.
The Starke County Council members will meet for the first time in 2018 tonight at 6 p.m. CT where the reorganization of the council is planned and 2018 appointments will be filled.
The first day of candidate filing ended with a few contested races in Starke County. District 2 County Commissioner Don Binkley has filed to run for reelection. He faces opposition from county council member Bryan Cavender. Meanwhile, Dale Conley and Howard A. Bailey Jr. have both filed for the County Council District 2 seat.
According to Starke County Election Deputy Clerk Crystal McCarty-Taylor, people can file for a declaration of candidacy starting today anytime between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and they have until February 9th at noon to file.
Interested individuals must come into the Starke County Clerk’s Office to file. She added that no exceptions will be made if the February deadline is missed.
Officials up for election in Starke County include the County Sheriff, Assessor, Coroner, Recorder and Auditor as well as the Prosecuting Attorney and Circuit Court Clerk. Elections will also be held for the County Commissioners in District 2 which includes California, Center and Davis Townships. Continue reading
The Starke County EMS Department will receive a much needed heater for the Medic 5 base in Grovertown.
In a specially-called joint session of the Starke County Commissioners and Starke County Council Thursday night, EMS Director Travis Clary said medications are freezing in the ambulance at the Grovertown base because there is not a proper heat source in the garage area. There is a good heat supply in the office area, but it is needed where the ambulance is parked to preserve intravenous and other perishable medications. The Starke County Commissioners declared the need an emergency and the council members approved the acquisition of a ceiling heater from McGrath’s Refrigeration not to exceed $2,057.87. The purchase will come from the 2017 budget.
The Starke County Council and Commission members will meet tonight to clear up any budget balancing issues before the end of 2017.
Several departments cleared up some budget issues last week including Starke County EMS, Starke County Highway Department and the Starke County Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff may have additional budget transfers to present during tonight’s meeting. The government officials will also wrap up any other business that may come before them tonight.
The Starke County Council members will be looking at costs concerning full-time EMS staff and what the county is paying in overtime.
Starke County EMS Clerk Mary Lynn Ritchie will be putting together some figures for the council members in 2018 to compare what the county is paying in overtime versus hiring two more full-time paramedics for adequate coverage.
Director Travis Clary is still looking for part-time paramedics for the department, but it continues to be a challenge, as it is in all counties. Clary said there is no incentive for part-time staff to work so the full-time staff members usually pick up all of the holidays and most of the unfilled shifts.
The Starke County Council members considered the the purchase of a radar counter for the Starke County Highway Department during their Monday night meeting.
Economic Development Foundation Director Charlie Weaver said the radar counter will be used to collect traffic data at a quicker speed for the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project.
