The Starke County Council and Commissioners will get a report of 2014 annual fund balances when they meet this evening. The council meeting starts at 5:30 p.m. at the annex. The commissioners will meet there at 7 p.m. Continue reading
Starke County Creates Sheriff’s Department Receptionist Position
The Starke County Sheriff’s Department will soon have a receptionist in addition to the full-time matron after action last week by the Starke County Council and Commissioners. Sheriff Bill Dulin sought permission to add an employee to process civil papers, answer the telephone, greet visitors and provide general clerical support to the department. Some of that work has been done by dispatchers in the past, but Dulin advised the council and commissioners the state jail inspector could cut funds to the 911 center if they are caught doing work not that’s not part of their statutory job description. The county council discussed the issue and decided it’s not worth the risk, especially since funds for the new position are already in the sheriff’s budget. Dulin also noted the floor plan for the new jail is different, and 911 center and main entrance are in separate parts of the building. The matron will continue handling sheriff’s sales and processing payroll and claims for the sheriff’s department. Continue reading
Starke County Council, Commissioners Reorganize
Democrat members of the Starke County Council banded together and elected a new president during a special-called organizational meeting. Freddie Baker replaces Republican Dave Pearman in that role. Councilman Bob Sims nominated Baker, and recently elected Democrat members Jennifer Davis and Pam Stalbaum voted for him. Councilman Bryan Cavender nominated Pearman, but nobody stepped forward to second his motion. Pearman was elected vice-president of the council. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Reorganize, Open Courtroom Bids
The Starke County Commissioners will reorganize and make annual appointments during their first meeting of the year this morning. The agenda for the 10 a.m. session also includes a report on jail operations from Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin, reports from Starke County EMS and the Starke County Highway Department and discussion of a vehicle for Starke County Coroner Adam Gray. Elisabeth Smith from Purdue Extension will discuss the office contract, and Ron Gifford from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation will share information about the College Success Coalition Program. Other business includes discussion of the county food inspector contract and a report from Starke County Council President Dave Pearman on the Indiana Bicentennial Committee. Continue reading
State Nepotism Law Not Applicable for Starke County Council Officials
A state law aimed at curbing conflicts of interest by prohibiting volunteer firefighters from holding certain elected offices does not apply to Starke County Council members. President Dave Pearman is also an 18 year veteran of the Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department. He sought clarification about the policy when he ran for reelection. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Blanket Bond Purchase
The Starke County Council has authorized the purchase of a blanket bond to cover the various elected officials. It’s less expensive than purchasing individual bonds for the auditor, recorder, surveyor, sheriff, coroner, assessor and clerk. The county pays about $1,000 per year for the policy from its insurance carrier. Continue reading
Starke County Council Closes Books on 2014
The Starke County Council moved $50,000 into the rainy day fund to close the books on 2014 and approved a handful of transfers to balance the books. Continue reading
Starke County Council Set to Close 2014 Books
The Starke County Council will close the books on 2014 during a special meeting this afternoon. Their agenda includes budget status reports of the county general, highway, assessors and health funds. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Seeking 2015 Board Appointees
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are seeking qualified, community-minded individuals to serve on a variety of boards and commissions in 2015. Many of the seats require specific party affiliation under Indiana Code. It is determined by the prospective nominee’s vote in the most recent primary election or a letter of support from the party chairman. Currently seated board members may be given preference for a subsequent term. Continue reading
Coroner’s Budget Contains Money to Cover Body Storage Costs
There’s a big difference between a morgue and a coroner’s office with cold storage available for bodies. That’s why Starke County Coroner-elect Adam Gray has opted to wait on construction of space for his department. He told the county council last night he wants to take his time and make sure the county’s needs are met. Per the state, a morgue has space available for a pathologist to work and must adhere to strict guidelines. An office space with storage is less restrictive. Continue reading
Starke County Council to Discuss Funds for Body Storage
Starke County Coroner-Elect Adam Gray will talk to the Starke County Council about funds for body storage when they meet this evening. Gray is the first non-funeral director to be elected coroner in several years. In the past, the funeral directors have used their facilities to store bodies until they are claimed. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Seeking 2015 Board Appointees
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are seeking qualified, community-minded individuals to serve on a variety of boards and commissions in 2015. Many of the seats require specific party affiliation under Indiana Code. It is determined by the prospective nominee’s vote in the most recent primary election or a letter of support from the party chairman. Currently seated board members may be given preference for a subsequent term. Continue reading
Starke County Commissioners to Revisit Highway Superintendent Contract
The Starke County Commissioners will resume their discussion of whether to offer Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler a long-term contract when they meet this evening. His is one of the jobs that is appointed annually by the commissioners. President Jennifer Davis is leading the charge to change that. She says doing so would ensure the long-range plan Ritzler has in place for road and bridge improvements is carried out. Making the change requires a unanimous vote of the commissioners. Kathy Norem is in favor of offering Ritzler a long-term contract, but fellow commissioner Kent Danford is not. He said in a previous meeting it could open a “can of worms.”
Starke County Officials Celebrate Completion of Highway Intersection
The intersection of State Road 8 and Starke County Road 300 East now has turn lanes, guardrails, acceleration and deceleration lanes. Members of the Starke County Council, County Commissioners and Starke County Economic Development Foundation Board of Directors celebrated the completion of the project with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Monday morning.
“This was extremely dangerous before for trucks and motor vehicles to come to pass. They couldn’t make the turns. If a truck wanted to go toward 35 from 300, they crossed both travel lanes into the berm,” Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver said. Continue reading
Starke County Officials Celebrate Completion of Road Project
A major Starke County road project is substantially complete. Members of the county council and commissioners and officials from the Starke County Economic Development Commission will celebrate the reconstruction of the intersection of State Road 8 and 300 East later today. The intersection has been rebuilt to accommodate traffic to and from the Knox Industrial Park. It now features a turn lane and acceleration and deceleration lanes to help trucks more easily navigate the corner. Continue reading
Starke County Council Sets Budget Adoptions
The Starke County Council will adopt budgets for several taxing units when they meet this evening. Their advance meeting agenda includes adoption of the county budget for the upcoming year as well as those for the Starke County Airport, Starke County Solid Waste and North Judson-San Pierre School Corporation. Continue reading
Final Members Named to Starke County Park Board
Starke County’s Park Board is now fully populated. Judge Kim Hall named Mike Meadows and Skyler Ellinger to the five-member panel. They join Starke County Council appointees Debbie Mix and Rosemary Rose and Starke County Commissioners appointee Marsha Bedrock. Continue reading
Final Park Board Appointments Pending
The Starke County Park Board is two members away from being populated. Starke Circuit Judge Kim Hall is responsible for appointing a Democrat and a Republican to the five-member board. He advised WKVI News he is still reviewing the qualifications of potential members and expects to make a decision soon. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Appointments Expected Tonight
The Starke County Council and Commissioners are expected to make their appointments to the county park and recreation board at their respective meetings this evening. The council gets two appointments, one Democrat and one Republican. The commissioners get one appointment, and it is not restricted by political party affiliation. Continue reading
Starke County Council Approves Transfers
Starke County officials have funds available to shred government documents a committee has decided no longer need to be stored after action this week by the county council. They approved a transfer of up to $10,000 from the commissioners budget for that purpose. They stress that entire amount of money may not need to be spent for document disposal. Continue reading
