The Culver Community School Board members reviewed bus bids when they met Monday night.
Continue readingCulver Community School Board Approves Bus Replacement Bid
North Judson Council to Continue Discussing Purchasing Policy Changes Tonight
The North Judson Town Council will continue discussing changes to its purchasing policy tonight. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe told the town council last month that the State Board of Accounts wants the town to clearly specify the thresholds that would require multiple quotes or a formal bidding process.
Continue readingNorth Judson Town Council to Consider Purchasing Policy Updates
North Judson may soon be revising its purchasing policy for town employees. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe told the town council last month that the State Board of Accounts wants the town to clearly specify the thresholds that would require multiple quotes or a formal bidding process.
Continue readingKnox City Council Creates Fund for American Rescue Plan Act Money
The Knox City Council took action Tuesday that will allow the city to accept $740,000 in federal COVID-19 relief money. Council members passed an ordinance creating a dedicated fund for American Rescue Plan Act money, based on the guidance of the State Board of Accounts.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Finalize Arrangements for COVID-19 Relief Funding
The Pulaski County Commissioners last week finalized some arrangements for the county’s share of COVID-19 relief funding. The commissioners passed an ordinance directing CARES Act money to be used to reimburse public health and safety payroll costs.
Continue readingStarke County Commissioners Discuss Treasurer Bond
The Starke County Commissioners held a special meeting Thursday afternoon to discuss an issue with Treasurer-elect Lauri Venckus’ bond.
Continue readingEastern Pulaski School Board Approves Textbook Fees, Device Agreements
The Eastern Pulaski School Board recently approved the textbook fees for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Dara Chezem says they’ll vary depending on grade level and, at the high school, course selection, but overall, they’ll be similar to last year’s.
Continue readingWinamac Suspending Utility Bill Penalties
The Town of Winamac is waiving late fees on utility bills for April and May. The change was approved by the town council Monday. Clerk-Treasurer Melanie Berger said that utilities won’t be shut off during the COVID-19 emergency, but some places have been looking into waiving penalties, as well.
Continue readingStarke County Council Remedies Negative Fund Balances
Starke County Auditor Rachel Oesterreich and Council President Dave Pearman recently reviewed line items in the budget and found some in the red that need to be remedied.
Continue readingStarke County Council, Commissioners Discuss Sheriff’s Salary
The Starke County Council members and Commissioners discussed the sheriff’s salary during their joint meeting last week.
Continue readingOregon-Davis Officials Decide Not to Change School Start Time
Oregon-Davis Schools’ start time will stay at 7:20 a.m. School officials recently revisited the idea of pushing back the start of school to 7:45 or 8:00 Central, but once again, the school district’s proximity to the Eastern Time Zone ultimately led them to decide against the change.
Continue readingHamlet Police Adjust Ticketing Procedures for Traffic Violations
The Town of Hamlet has recently changed the way it issues tickets for speeding, seat belt violations, and other similar offenses, more info here on these changes issued . Town officials say that for the past few years, Hamlet Police had been treating traffic offenses as town ordinance violations, after other municipalities adopted similar procedures.
Felony Charges Filed Against Former Pulaski County EMS Director
Former Pulaski County EMS Director Nikki Lowry has been charged with six felonies, amid allegations that she stole more than $12,000 in department training funds. Lowry was fired from the EMS Department last November, following an investigation into the complaints.
Culver School Board Accepts Donations for Reading Program, Costa Rica Trip
Some Culver Community Schools programs will be getting a boost, thanks to a pair of donations accepted by the school board Monday. “Culvers Lion’s Club gave the Spanish Club $500 for their Costa Rica trip, and the Culver PTO has given both $500 to the elementary and then to the middle school reading program,” explained Superintendent Karen Shuman.
North Judson Town Council Considers Switching General Account to Another Bank
After realizing the advantage of a potential bank switch, North Judson Town Council members will officially consider moving the town’s general account from First National Bank of Monterey to First Farmers Bank and Trust during a future meeting.
FFBT Representative Mike Pazin provided members with a presentation when they met last Monday. Pazin came to speak with the council at the request of Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe after he received some intriguing news from Pazin while discussing interest rates. Continue reading
Starke County Prosecutor’s Office Coordinates With Indiana State Police on Wayne Township Audit Investigation
Between 2009 and 2016, approximately $20,278 was overpaid to the Trustee and Deputy Trustee of Wayne Township, according to information found in a 2017 Indiana State Board of Accounts audit.
After a compliance report allegedly uncovered some discrepancies with salary and rent payments in Wayne Township, the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office began coordinating with the Indiana State Police on an investigation into the accusations made against Trustee Clara Schacht and her husband, Deputy Trustee Donald Schacht. Continue reading
North Judson Town Council Approves Amended Salary Ordinance
An amended salary ordinance passed on second reading and was adopted during Monday night’s North Judson Town Council meeting.
At the last meeting, Town Attorney Justin Schramm explained that the initial salary ordinance, which included a 3 percent raise for various department heads and the town council members, was adopted on January 2nd of 2018.
He said the State Board of Accounts could potentially have a problem with council members receiving raises in the same year they’re approved, so to be on the safe side, the salary ordinance was rewritten to remove the council members from the list of individuals who received a 3 percent raise in 2018. Continue reading
Community Center Chairs to be Sold
About 200 chairs at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in Knox will be sold.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston told the Knox Board of Public Works members this week that new chairs are coming as part of the renovation project.
Knox City Council Approves New Vehicle for Building and Code Compliance Officer
The purchase of a new vehicle for the Knox Building and Code Compliance Officer was approved at last night’s city council meeting. Compliance Officer Kenny Pfost has been utilizing his personal vehicle since the old city-issued vehicle broke down.
Clerk-Treasurer Jeff Houston mentioned that the $36,000 needed for the vehicle purchase will be split up between three separate accounts. He said that $10,000 would come out of the cumulative capital development repairs and maintenance fund, $8,600 would be from rental registration and $17,400 will be come from the edit account for the Knox Industrial Park. Continue reading
Independent Bank Accounts Draw Concerns from Pulaski County Auditor
Pulaski County is looking to keep a closer eye on some of its bank accounts. Auditor Laura Wheeler told the county council Wednesday that most county bank accounts are supposed to be under the jurisdiction of the treasurer, with all transactions being handled by the auditor. However, some departments have apparently set up their own independent accounts. Continue reading
