Posted on March 22, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members considered an additional appropriation request made by the Starke County Commissioners for funds to cover some bills for radio communications and building maintenance.
Starke County Commissioner Kathy Norem explained they’re asking for an appropriation of about $36,300 from the County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) fund.
“The reason why we’re asking for that is we’re out of Cumulative Capital Development Funds until we get our next draw,” said Norem. “Rather than putting it into negative territory, which will put us behind the eight ball right off the bat, we prefer to take this from CEDIT.”
The funds will pay for bills for different needs.
“We’re asking for $2,700 for Royal Star Builders [Solid Waste Building construction], and $3,252 for Jackson Refrigeration, which is for repair of the cooler at the coroner’s office. We also have a total of $30,362 for radios. That is divided between Bartronics at $395, J&K Communication $28,688 and Miner Electronics which is $1,279.”
After further discussion about the bill from J&K Communications, the council decided to pay the old bill which is about $23,000 and hold off on the rest of the payment until a comparison of work done and the itemized bill per fire department be scrutinized a little more closely.
The council approved the payment for Bartronics, Miner Electronics, Jackson Refrigeration and Royal Star Builders.
The council members also approved a transfer of $3,000 for part-time help in the maintenance department. They also voted in favor of creating a temporary part-time fund in the budget to accommodate the change. That part-time employee will only work three days a week until the maintenance director returns to work.
Showing posts with label County Economic Development Income Tax. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County Economic Development Income Tax. Show all posts
Friday, March 22, 2019
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
County Council Nixes North Judson Paving From Funding Disbursement Request
Posted on June 21, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke County government officials want to wait on an upgrade to a road in the North Judson Industrial Park proposed by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
Their request for an appropriation from the County Economic Development Income Tax, or CEDIT, fund included $75,000 to repave the main road through the North Judson Industrial Park with hot mix asphalt to withstand heavy truck traffic.
The council discussed the benefit of doing so, seeing as how there are only 11 available acres in the landlocked park on the east end of town. They generally agreed any future heavy industrial development in North Judson will occur west of town on State Road 10 due to the proximity to U.S. 421.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler pointed out the county can spend between $50 and $75,000 to pave 300 East from MPI north to State Road 8 in the Knox Industrial Park thanks to available matching funds from the state.
He adds the county can always upgrade the road through the North Judson Industrial Park later if a need to do so arises. Meanwhile, Ritzler says the chip seal surface will last between five and six years.
The council did approve the remaining $195,000 in CEDIT appropriations sought by the SCEDF. All but $15,000 of that money will be allocated to the foundation’s economic development consulting contract. The remainder will pay for the Hamlet fire well and industrial park projects.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke County government officials want to wait on an upgrade to a road in the North Judson Industrial Park proposed by the Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
Their request for an appropriation from the County Economic Development Income Tax, or CEDIT, fund included $75,000 to repave the main road through the North Judson Industrial Park with hot mix asphalt to withstand heavy truck traffic.
The council discussed the benefit of doing so, seeing as how there are only 11 available acres in the landlocked park on the east end of town. They generally agreed any future heavy industrial development in North Judson will occur west of town on State Road 10 due to the proximity to U.S. 421.
Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler pointed out the county can spend between $50 and $75,000 to pave 300 East from MPI north to State Road 8 in the Knox Industrial Park thanks to available matching funds from the state.
He adds the county can always upgrade the road through the North Judson Industrial Park later if a need to do so arises. Meanwhile, Ritzler says the chip seal surface will last between five and six years.
The council did approve the remaining $195,000 in CEDIT appropriations sought by the SCEDF. All but $15,000 of that money will be allocated to the foundation’s economic development consulting contract. The remainder will pay for the Hamlet fire well and industrial park projects.
Friday, May 19, 2017
Starke County Highway Superintendent Elaborates on Road Funding
Posted on May 19, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke County will be able to implement plans to pave 123 miles of local roads with asphalt over the next decade without raising taxes, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He presented options to the county council Monday. They include using money from the Local Roads and Streets and County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds to draw down a maximum three-to-one funding match from the state.
Ritzler says Starke County will need $571,250 in local money each year to draw down $2.2 million.
The road funding proposal approved by state lawmakers includes a 10-cent per gallon fuel tax. It will go up one-cent each year until 2024. Vehicle owners will also pay an additional $15 wheel tax to the state.
Ritzler says without a commitment to the local funding match, the tax paid to the state by Starke County residents will go elsewhere.
He adds the state will look favorably on Starke County’s asset management plan for roads and bridges when it comes to funding. Such plans assure money is being allocated wisely and will be spent on projects that are ready to go.
Ritzler’s presentation did not require a vote by the council during their meeting Monday, but it will be a consideration during the crafting of the 2018 budget.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Starke County will be able to implement plans to pave 123 miles of local roads with asphalt over the next decade without raising taxes, according to Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler. He presented options to the county council Monday. They include using money from the Local Roads and Streets and County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds to draw down a maximum three-to-one funding match from the state.
Ritzler says Starke County will need $571,250 in local money each year to draw down $2.2 million.
The road funding proposal approved by state lawmakers includes a 10-cent per gallon fuel tax. It will go up one-cent each year until 2024. Vehicle owners will also pay an additional $15 wheel tax to the state.
Ritzler says without a commitment to the local funding match, the tax paid to the state by Starke County residents will go elsewhere.
He adds the state will look favorably on Starke County’s asset management plan for roads and bridges when it comes to funding. Such plans assure money is being allocated wisely and will be spent on projects that are ready to go.
Ritzler’s presentation did not require a vote by the council during their meeting Monday, but it will be a consideration during the crafting of the 2018 budget.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Starke County Officials Present Five-Year Strategic Infrastructure Plan
Posted on March 27, 2017
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Updating routes into the Knox Industrial Park and improving access to potential growth areas in Hamlet are among the priorities outlined in Starke County’s five-year strategic infrastructure plan. It serves as a blueprint for the use of County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds, along with money from the state.
The Starke County Highway Department and Starke County Economic Development Foundation looked at areas most likely to be developed and evaluated needs in those locations.
Plans for Knox include upgrading the intersection of Division Road and 300 East/Klockner Drive, extending utilities to that area and extending the county lead track. The reconstruction of 300 East from State Road 8 to Division Road is also on the major projects list for 2019.
In the Hamlet area, the county is looking to reconstruct the intersection of 500 North and 750 East, along with both roadways just east of Norton Packaging to provide easier access to U.S. 30. Hamlet is seen as a potential growth area, but Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says water and sewer services will need to be extended in order to capitalize on that potential. He says industry site selectors are looking for shovel ready properties that will require minimal infrastructure investment on their part. A Hamlet East Sanitary Sewer utility extension is on the plan for 2018.
The five-year plan also includes the resurfacing of Arlington Avenue in North Judson and the addition of shoulders to the road. It serves as the main access point to the town’s industrial park. Land acquisition and utilities for a new North Judson Industrial Park are also in progress, according to information shared last week with the Starke County Commissioners. No timeline was set for construction.
Other projects on the list include improving the intersection of Old State Road 10/600 South and CR 210 at Bass Lake, the realignment of State Road 10 from 700 East to U.S. 35 and total reconstruction of 600 East from State Road 8 to 25 North.
The county is also eyeing future construction of a bike and walking trail along State Road 10.
Author Mary Perren, WKVI
Updating routes into the Knox Industrial Park and improving access to potential growth areas in Hamlet are among the priorities outlined in Starke County’s five-year strategic infrastructure plan. It serves as a blueprint for the use of County Economic Development Income Tax (CEDIT) funds, along with money from the state.
The Starke County Highway Department and Starke County Economic Development Foundation looked at areas most likely to be developed and evaluated needs in those locations.
Plans for Knox include upgrading the intersection of Division Road and 300 East/Klockner Drive, extending utilities to that area and extending the county lead track. The reconstruction of 300 East from State Road 8 to Division Road is also on the major projects list for 2019.
In the Hamlet area, the county is looking to reconstruct the intersection of 500 North and 750 East, along with both roadways just east of Norton Packaging to provide easier access to U.S. 30. Hamlet is seen as a potential growth area, but Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver says water and sewer services will need to be extended in order to capitalize on that potential. He says industry site selectors are looking for shovel ready properties that will require minimal infrastructure investment on their part. A Hamlet East Sanitary Sewer utility extension is on the plan for 2018.
The five-year plan also includes the resurfacing of Arlington Avenue in North Judson and the addition of shoulders to the road. It serves as the main access point to the town’s industrial park. Land acquisition and utilities for a new North Judson Industrial Park are also in progress, according to information shared last week with the Starke County Commissioners. No timeline was set for construction.
Other projects on the list include improving the intersection of Old State Road 10/600 South and CR 210 at Bass Lake, the realignment of State Road 10 from 700 East to U.S. 35 and total reconstruction of 600 East from State Road 8 to 25 North.
The county is also eyeing future construction of a bike and walking trail along State Road 10.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)