Non-binding action by the Starke County Council this week could soon fill up a vacant commercial building. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says a company is looking to purchase the vacant Stelrema building on U.S. 35 south of U.S. 30. Continue reading
Starke County EMS Purchases New Ambulance
Starke County EMS will have a new ambulance in service this week. EMS Director Keith Emigh [[AMY]] told the county council the rig was delivered last Monday, but equipment still needed to be installed. He estimated that should be done within a week, and the truck would be on the road. Continue reading
Starke County Council, Commissioners to Discuss Federal Wage Mandate
The Starke County Council and Commissioners will discuss a new, federally-mandated overtime policy for county employees during their respective meetings tonight. The Fair Labor Standards Act takes effect Dec. 1. It requires overtime payments to salaried employees who make less than $47,500 a year and work more than 40 hours per week. Continue reading
2017 N.J.-S.P. Budget Approved
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation’s 2017 budget was approved this week. On Monday, the Starke County Council approved a resolution setting the appropriations and tax rates in the district. Then on Tuesday, it was the school board’s turn to consider several budget items. Continue reading
Appropriation Clears Way for Highway Department Purchases
The Starke County Highway Department plans to make some facility updates and an equipment purchase with funds received throughout the year.
The county council Monday approved Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler’s additional appropriation request, which will clear the way for the expenditures. It’s a procedural step to move the money into the necessary account. Continue reading
Starke Council Discusses Tax Levy Limitations, Options
Starke County Council members want to meet later this year with state officials to discuss options for thawing the county’s frozen property tax levy. That’s the cap on the amount of money the county can raise each year to cover expenses. Discussion at Monday night’s meeting indicates it’s not keeping pace with inflation. Continue reading
Starke Council Sets Maximum Ambulance Purchase Amount
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh can proceed with the purchase of an ambulance. Continue reading
Tradeshow Business Relocating to North Judson, Looking for Employees
A Chicagoland-area business that is relocating to North Judson is looking for employees. Outstanding Tradeshow Exhibit Services, OTES for short, is moving into the Thermo Products building west of town on State Road 10. The Romeoville-Ill.-based company is a full-service designer and manufacturer of tradeshow exhibits or Trade Show Booths. Continue reading
Starke County Council to Adopt Numerous Budgets
Several budget adoptions are on tonight’s Starke County Council agenda. Members will approve the county, North Judson-San Pierre Schools, Starke County Airport and Starke County Solid Waste Disposal budgets during their 5:30 p.m. meeting.
Starke Commissioners Recommend Funding Source for New Ambulance
The Starke County Commissioners have recommended a funding source for a new ambulance, and now it’s up to the county council to act. EMS Director Keith Emigh says the trucks in his fleet range from 1998 with a 1988 box to a problem-free 2013 rig with 58,000 miles. A 2003 ambulance with 167,000 miles and a 2009 truck with a history of mechanical problems round out the fleet.
Additional Security Anticipated at Starke County Courthouse
The Starke County Council has tasked Sheriff Bill Dulin with crafting a budget for courthouse security. Renovations currently underway include restricting access to the building and adding a metal detector to ensure the safety of employees and patrons. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Additional CASA Appropriation
The Starke County Council last week approved an additional appropriation for a program that helps children throughout the community. Rhonda Adcock is the director of Starke County CASA. The acronym stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. Adcock says it’s an arm of Starke Circuit Court, with volunteers who advocate for children who are in family court due to abuse or neglect. Continue reading
Starke County Council Defers Ambulance Purchase Funding Request
The Starke County Council this week balked at a request from the county EMS department to allocate money they’ve received for services rendered to purchase a new ambulance. Business manager Mary Lynn Richie says they’ve collected a significant sum from federal Medicaid reimbursements that were not paid in prior years. Continue reading
Proposed N.J.-S.P. Budget Factors in Declining Enrollment
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation’s proposed 2017 budget reflects shrinking revenue, according to information shared during this week’s budget hearing.
Business Manager and Treasurer Guy Richie told the county council the proposal is very similar to what was approved last year, except the dollar amounts are less. The approved 2016 budget is $7.6 million, compared to $7,035,070 proposed for 2017 . Richie says the dip in funding is due to dwindling enrollment. Continue reading
Proposed Starke County Budget Includes Employee Pay Raises
Starke County government employees stand to get raises in 2017 following action by the county council during their budget hearing Monday evening. They recommended approval of 2-percent raises for all employees. That will cost about $65,000, which will come from the county general fund. Continue reading
Commissioner Explains Courthouse and Old Jail Renovation Funding Sources
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are attempting to explain the necessity of renovations to the courthouse and former jail. Council President Freddie Baker said during Monday’s meeting questions have arisen in the public about why the county is spending so much money to redo the two buildings. Continue reading
N.J.-S.P. Board Authorizes Budget Submission
The North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation’s annual budget hearing before the Starke County Council will take place during their Sept. 12th meeting. The school board last week authorized the submission of the budget to the council for review. They also approved the advertisement of the 2017-19 capital projects and bus replacement plan in “The Leader” and the “Pulaski County Journal.” State law requires it be published in both counties since townships from both comprise the school corporation. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Announce Budget Adoption Schedule
The Starke County Council and Commissioners will conduct budget workshops Monday morning. The meetings at the county annex building are open to the public, but times for individual department heads have not yet been determined. Sessions get under way at 8 a.m. Continue reading
Starke Council to Review Levy and Circuit Breaker Limits
The Starke County Council is preparing for budget season. Tonight’s meeting agenda includes a review of the levy limits and circuit breakers for county taxing entities. The levy is the cap on the amount of property taxes each is allowed to collect. The circuit breaker limits the amount of property taxes an individual pays. Continue reading
Starke Hospital CEO Discusses New Building
Starke Hospital officials are putting the final touches on an agreement with the county for a new lease of the existing building at the intersection of Culver Road and South Heaton Street in Knox. A joint meeting between the Starke County Council and Commissioners, hospital board and Starke Hospital officials is scheduled Aug. 29th. Starke Hospital CEO Craig Felty says it clears the way for construction of a new hospital on the site. Continue reading
