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.
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.
The Starke County Council has come up with a proposal to pay for utilities at the former jail. Now known as Annex 2, it houses the probation and health departments, Starke County Community Corrections and Purdue Extension. Continue reading
Starke County government officials want to wait on an upgrade to a road in the North Judson Industrial Park proposed by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Continue reading
A tradeshow products business is up and running in North Judson. Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services (OTES) moved into the Thermo Products building west of town on State Road 10. The company produces exhibit booths for tradeshows, as well as banners for a variety of uses.
Starke County will be able to implement plans to pave 123 miles of local roads with asphalt over the next decade without raising taxes, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He presented options to the county council Monday. They include using money from the Local Roads and Streets and County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds to draw down a maximum three-to-one funding match from the state. Continue reading
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin can replace several aging patrol cars following Monday action by the county council. They agreed to appropriate money from the Jail CEDIT and Therapeutic Community funds to cover the cost. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners will consider a proposed heavy truck route ordinance on third and final reading when they meet tonight.
It looks to maximize three-to-one matching money from the state to pave nearly 120 miles of county roads with hot mix asphalt over the next decade.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the eventual goal is to have all locations in the county within a mile of a hot-mix asphalt road. Right now Starke County has 10 miles of locally maintained hot mix asphalt roads. Continue reading
The Starke County Council last night cleared the way for a new tenant to move into the long-vacant Stelrema building north of Knox. Continue reading
Starke County officials hope to leverage money from the state to improve the county’s road infrastructure. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler is working on a long-term truck route proposal, under which all routes in the county would be within a mile of a highway or hot mix road. Continue reading
Property owners in Starke County will pay cumulative bridge and capital development taxes in 2018 after a Monday vote by the county council to reestablish both rates. Continue reading
A handful of part-time county employees could be getting pay raises following Monday action by the Starke County Council. They agreed to create a “skilled part-time” wage classification as part of the salary ordinance. Continue reading
A long vacant Starke County industrial building could soon have a new occupant. Chicagoland-area-based gourmet snack food producer Gary Poppins plans to move into the Stelrema building on U.S. 35 this summer and be fully operational in that space by the end of the year. Continue reading
The Starke County Council has tabled a request from Clerk Vicki Cooley to raise the hourly wage for her part-time election clerk until more information can be gathered. Continue reading
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office will be in charge of security at the courthouse once renovations are finished. Sheriff Bill Dulin told the county council last week he will need more part-time officers to handle the responsibility. Continue reading
The Starke County Council will vote to reestablish a couple of tax rates when they meet in a few weeks. The cumulative bridge and cumulative capital development funds have both dropped off and need to have rates set again. Continue reading
The Starke County Council will conduct a public hearing on a couple of tax rates when they meet this evening. They’re required to seek input on the cumulative capital development and cumulative bridge funds. The hearings are the first item on the agenda for their 5:30 p.m. meeting. Continue reading
A group of county officials plans to sit down next week to discuss a new contract with the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. Executive Director Charlie Weaver has worked under the same agreement for 16 years. He agrees it’s time revisit the agreement and exactly what kind of work it entails on behalf of the county. Continue reading
The Starke County Council will discuss a how a proposed change to employee longevity will affect the 2017 budgets during their regularly scheduled meeting this evening. They will also review the salary ordinance for the upcoming year. Continue reading
The Starke County Council has a new member. The Democratic Party recently selected Nancy Dembowski to serve the remaining two years of the late Jennifer Davis’ term. Continue reading
