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.
Tonight’s council agenda also includes a request from Starke County EMS Director Keith Emigh to hire two full-time paramedics. He says doing so would alleviate a lot of the scheduling problems within his department. Sheriff Bill Dulin will also request an additional appropriation. Planning Commission Director Terry Stephenson and Charlie Weaver from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation will discuss a proposed amendment to the airport ordinance, and SCEDF President Diane Thalmann will talk to them about an expansion of the economic development foundation’s website.
The county council will meet at 5:30 p.m. at the annex building, followed by a meeting of the Starke County Commissioners. Their agenda includes further discussion of heating and cooling options at the Starke County Courthouse. Renovations of the building are set to start in July. Stephenson will discuss proposed amendments to the county’s unsafe building and confined animal feeding ordinances, and Ritzler will talk to the commissioners about Petro Street in San Pierre.
Starke County Emergency Management Agency Director Jacob Lippner will offer a department update and discuss the purchase of radios with grant funds. The commissioners will also discuss an internal account controls policy and an appointment o the CVC Board.
