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
Starke County Council Defers Action on Ambulance Purchase
Starke County officials will decide during an upcoming work session whether to repair or replace a 2009 ambulance. EMS Director Keith Emigh has asked for money to purchase a new truck due to extensive mechanical problems with the rig based at Grovertown. Most recently it lost a cylinder, which prompted the request. Continue reading
Council Questions Proposed Jail Addition
Nearly six months after the first inmates moved into the new Starke County Jail east of Knox the architect and builder are recommending a $525,000 addition to the facility. Architect and project manager Scott Carnegie with DLZ told the council and commissioners an automatic auger would catch small items like cellophane and plastic wrappers inmates flush down the toilets and keep them out of the city’s sanitary sewer system. Continue reading
Starke County Officials to Get Courthouse Renovation Update
Starke County officials will have a better idea after tonight of what proposed renovations to the old jail and courthouse will look like and cost. Representatives from DLZ and Skillman Corporation will present plans to the council and commissioners. They designed and built the new jail east of Knox on State Road 8.
The cost of justice-related projects will be covered with funds from the county economic development income tax passed to pay for jail construction. Other improvements will be paid for out of the general county economic development income tax fund. The prosecutor, clerk and Starke County Community Corrections will also contribute money from their budgets to cover portions of the project. The amounts of their respective contributions are not known at this time. Continue reading
Starke County Seeking BZA Members
The Starke County Commissioners are looking to fill a seat on the Board of Zoning Appeals. The vacancy was created when a member moved from the county. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners Take Infrastructure Plan Under Advisement
Investment in infrastructure is critical in order to see future growth in Starke County. That’s the assessment Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver shared with the county commissioners last night. He and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler jointly presented a five-year strategic infrastructure plan to the body. It includes an overview and timeline of bridge and road projects and justification for plans still on the drawing board. Continue reading
Sheriff Looks for Funds to Cover Drug Counseling Costs
Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin wants to charge inmates a fee to cover the cost of drug counseling services at the jail. He presented his idea to the county commissioners Monday evening. Continue reading
Highway Superintended Makes Case for Position Reallocation
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the request to create employee budget positions was misunderstood by the county commissioners at their last meeting. Neither Ritzler nor Commissioner Kathy Norem were there, and the other two commissioners denied the request citing a top-heavy management structure within the department. Continue reading
