Starke County Treasurer’s Office Reopens; Court Hearing Scheduled

Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork assists a customer over the phone

By order of the Jasper Circuit Court Judge John Potter, a telephonic case management conference was held Wednesday, October 24 concerning Judge Potter’s ruling regarding the reinstatement of Starke County Treasurer Linda Belork.

Starke County Attorney Martin Lucas and Belork’s counsel, Ethan Lowe, were part of the hearing where the Court found that disobedience of process or order, and interference with execution of process or order was conducted when the Starke County Commissioners met and voted to close the Office of the Starke County Treasurer, thus nullifying the Judge’s order to reinstate Belork to the office.

All three Commissioners and the county attorney plus Linda Belork and her counsel are scheduled to appear in Jasper Circuit Court on Monday, October 29 at 3:00 p.m. to show cause why they should not be held in indirect contempt of Court.

In compliance with the Jasper Circuit Court’s ruling denying the Starke County Commissioners’ Motion to Clarify Order, Commission Vice-President Dan Bridegroom has issued a press release declaring that the Starke County Treasurer’s Office is now open.

The office is now fully operational. Belork has been granted access to all computers and accounts concerning the Treasurer’s Office and she can now accept your tax payment. The tax deadline is November 10.

We will continue to monitor this story and report information as it becomes available.