The safety program implemented in March 2013 by the Starke County Highway Department is apparently paying off. Superintendent Rik Ritzler cites crash data from the state.
“Our crashes in the past two years have dropped dramatically. It was at 196 in 2012, 154 in 2013 and 128 in 2014. We believe it’s even lower than that in 2015. They should be getting those statistics out sooner this year because they have it more automated than they’ve had in the past.” Continue reading
The relatively mild winter has resulted in considerable savings for the Starke County Highway Department. The nine winter events recorded last month cost slightly more than $50,000, according to information highway superintendent Rik Ritzler shared with the county commissioners this week. That figure includes money spent on diesel fuel, salt, sand and employee overtime. Last January the county spent more than $86,000, and two years ago January winter operations cost more than $130,000. The savings will be invested in road maintenance. Continue reading
The new fuel pumps are in use at the Starke County Highway Garage. That’s where other county departments are able to fill their vehicles with either gasoline or diesel. The new system requires access codes, which in turn helps the highway department and auditor’s office to track fuel usage and bill departments accordingly. Continue reading
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
Phase one of the Starke County Highway Department’s five-year facilities upgrade plan is underway. Continue reading
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler can reinvest money taken in by his department into repairs to the county highway garage. Continue reading
The low bid to replace the bridge on 700 North over Robbins Ditch came in well below the engineer’s estimate of $419,000. Continue reading
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
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
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler does not stand to get a $10,000 raise if the county approves the establishment of a bridge inspector position in 2016. Continue reading
The Starke County Commissioners are recommending the county council increase the emergency medical services director’s salary by $4,000. That would bump Keith Emigh’s annual pay to $45,000, pending council approval. Continue reading
A LaPorte-based construction company will replace the bridge on 100 East wet of 500 South in Starke County. The commissioners unanimously accepted the low bid of $319,175 from LaPorte Construction. It’s $13,000 under the engineer’s estimate for the project. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler notes they’ve done the last three bridge projects for the county and have done a good job. Continue reading
It’s only the first week of August, but officials with the Starke County Highway Department are already planning for winter. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners this week the county’s salt cost has gone down significantly over last year. The county piggybacks on the state’s bid and is able to realize considerable savings as a result. Ritzler says the price per ton has gone down from $73.62 to $65.32. If this winter is comparable to last year’s, he says that will save the county about $10,000. Continue reading
Highway superintendent Rik Ritzler says Starke County is on schedule to have no deficient bridges by 2020, according to the latest bridge inspection report. It finds the condition of the county’s bridges has significantly improved over the last two years, going from 17 to 12 deficient. Ritzler says that number should be down to 10 by the end of the year. Continue reading
The Starke County Council reluctantly set a labor rate of $18.50 per hour for work on county-owned vehicles by mechanics at the highway garage. That’s the journeyman mechanic’s hourly rate. Continue reading
The Starke County Council will decide tonight whether to increase the salary for the jail commander. Sheriff Bill Dulin’s request to boost the pay for the position to reflect the additional responsibilities at the new jail got a favorable recommendation from the county commissioners. Dulin told them he can transfer money from within his budget to cover the extra expense. Continue reading
The Starke County Sheriff’s Office, EMS and other departments that have their vehicles services at the county highway garage will have to pay the county’s labor cost for maintenance and repairs. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler was advised by the State Board of Accounts the department either has to charge the full hourly rate or not do the work. Continue reading
Starke County’s bridges are in good shape overall, according to a recently completed inspection. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says no new bridges were deemed structurally deficient. Repairs are continuing on the bridges identified three years ago. Continue reading
The Starke County Council last night approved two amendments to the salary ordinance to reflect changing job duties. The county highway bookkeeper/clerk will work eight hours per day instead of seven. Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler says the first and last hours of the work day are the busiest, and this will ensure efficient work flow. He adds the department administrator has taken on more responsibilities due to internal restructuring and needs the additional hour to get everything done. Continue reading
The Starke County Highway Department still has plenty of money to keep up with planned road maintenance this year. Superintendent Rik Ritzler told the county commissioners last night that includes nearly 30 miles of paving this summer and crack sealing an additional 10 miles roads. Some chip sealing work will also be done. Continue reading
