The Starke County Council has scheduled a special meeting to try to get a handle on expenses related to jail operations. They deferred Sheriff Bill Dulin’s request for an additional appropriation until they can take a closer look at things like utility costs for the building. It’s been open for a year, and extensive studies were done beforehand to project costs. The council should have findings from an energy audit in time for their scheduled June 13th meeting. It will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the annex building. Continue reading
Starke Council Approves EMS Full-Time Positions
Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh hopes hiring two full-time paramedics will alleviate some of the staffing concerns for the county ambulance service. The council on Monday approved his request to hire two people for full-time positions. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Revised Airport Zoning Ordinance
Plans to extend the runway at the Starke County Airport by 5,000 feet received the county council’s blessing Monday evening. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says the local facility is part of the National Airport System Plan and is therefore eligible for money from the Federal Aviation Administration. He adds those funds come from excise taxes levied on the aviation industry by the federal government. Continue reading
Starke County Council Discusses Road Funding Goals
A committee of Starke County officials recommends accelerating completion of the county’s bridge replacement schedule with one-time transportation money from the state. 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
Starke Council to Consider Rainy Day Fund Loan
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
Starke County Ambulance Repairs Still Pending
Starke County EMS is still a truck short due to extensive mechanical problems with the 2009 Ford ambulance based at Grovertown. The county council previously decided to repair the rig rather than spend upwards of $100,000 on a new one. Continue reading
Economic Development Director to Outline Plans Tonight
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
Coroner Space Scrapped from Old Jail Renovatoins
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 Council Approves Budget Cuts
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
Deep Starke County Budget Cuts Anticipated Today
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
Starke County Officials Prepare For Building Renovations
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
Starke County Officials Slash Proposed Expenditures
Budget constraints have forced the Starke County Council and Commissioners to cut back on proposed big ticket expenditures in the coming year. They met jointly Monday to look at items that can be purchased with money in the cumulative capital development fund. That list included a new ambulance for Starke County EMS, two new patrol cars for the sheriff’s office and three new server computers for the IT department. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Brace for Budget Cuts
Starke County officials need to slash half a million dollars from the county’s 2016 budget after receiving their final report from the state. Continue reading
Starke County Officials to Discuss Spending Priorities
The Starke County Council and Commissioners will crunch numbers and set priorities during a special joint meeting this evening. Specifically they are looking at projects that can be funded from the County Economic Development Income Tax, or CEDIT, fund. Continue reading
Improvements Underway at Starke County Highway Department
Phase one of the Starke County Highway Department’s five-year facilities upgrade plan is underway. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Seek Board and Commission Nominees
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are looking for qualified nominees to serve on boards and commissions in the coming year. Continue reading
Council Appropriates Money for Highway Department Maintenance
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler can reinvest money taken in by his department into repairs to the county highway garage. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Fill Board Vacancies
The Starke County Board of Zoning Appeals and Library Board are fully populated again after action this week by the council and commissioners. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Salary Ordinance, Longevity Pay
Starke County’s 2016 salary ordinance will include longevity pay for employees. Continue reading
