Posted on February 20, 2018
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members want more information about what will be offered to Starke County in the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project before they pay $10,000 toward consultation fees for coalition efforts.
Councilman Dave Pearman asked Larry Wickert from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation about the payment as it was requested. The funds would come out of the commissioner’s County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Wickert explained that six out of the seven counties involved in the proposed U.S. 30 project pay into the coalition. La Porte County is the only county that doesn’t pay. Wickert believes that U.S. 30 would stay rural in La Porte County and not see an impact. The county has the toll road for a focus.
The members of the U.S. 30 coalition have met several times to discuss how a proposed freeway would benefit Starke County. Pearman doesn’t want Starke County to “get the short end of the stick” in the process as he says there is plenty of agriculture opportunities and industry with the industrial park in Hamlet that would access Starke County off of U.S. 30. He specifically noted the Sysco property that is currently for sale on the west side of town.
Pearman said he supports the coalition, but he just wants more information.
Wickert and Pearman will be sitting down to discuss what the U.S. 30 coalition has to offer Starke County. In the meantime, Pearman made a motion to table the request until the council’s March meeting so more information could be obtained. The motion was seconded by Councilman Freddie Baker and all members voted in favor of the action.
Showing posts with label County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Show all posts
Showing posts with label County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Friday, December 22, 2017
Starke County Council Considers Purchase for Traffic Counter
Posted on December 22, 2017
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members considered the purchase of a radar counter for the Starke County Highway Department during their Monday night meeting.
Economic Development Foundation Director Charlie Weaver said the radar counter will be used to collect traffic data at a quicker speed for the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project.
“The beautiful part of this is isn’t hoses you run over,” said Weaver. “It’s a lot more accurate count. After they finish the count and maintain the count for the U.S. 30 project, there are other places in the county where they can use it. The state is going to require more and more supporting data behind what happens. This allows the county to do that.”
The counter is estimated to cost $3,235 and will be paid for out of the economic development portion of the County Economic Development Income Tax fund.
This new device will accompany another traffic counter already used by the department to gather information.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the device will pay for itself in one project as it will greatly assist the crew with valued statistics. He said the crew knows how to use the equipment and Ritzler does the analysis.
The county council unanimously approved the request. The commissioners previously approved a recommendation for the purchase.
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
The Starke County Council members considered the purchase of a radar counter for the Starke County Highway Department during their Monday night meeting.
Economic Development Foundation Director Charlie Weaver said the radar counter will be used to collect traffic data at a quicker speed for the proposed U.S. 30 freeway project.
“The beautiful part of this is isn’t hoses you run over,” said Weaver. “It’s a lot more accurate count. After they finish the count and maintain the count for the U.S. 30 project, there are other places in the county where they can use it. The state is going to require more and more supporting data behind what happens. This allows the county to do that.”
The counter is estimated to cost $3,235 and will be paid for out of the economic development portion of the County Economic Development Income Tax fund.
This new device will accompany another traffic counter already used by the department to gather information.
Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said the device will pay for itself in one project as it will greatly assist the crew with valued statistics. He said the crew knows how to use the equipment and Ritzler does the analysis.
The county council unanimously approved the request. The commissioners previously approved a recommendation for the purchase.
Thursday, August 24, 2017
Starke County Commissioners Approve Courthouse Elevator Grant Application
Posted on August 24, 2017
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Upgrades to the Starke County Courthouse elevator are a step closer to moving ahead. The county commissioners voted Monday to submit a grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, after they sent in a letter of intent last month.
As part of the upgrades, new automatic sliding doors will be installed on both the elevator cab and each floor level, according to engineering firm DLZ. The existing manual doors are considered too heavy for many users to open, which has led to accessibility concerns.
Engineers say the elevator will also be outfitted with modern fire alarm controls, emergency communication devices, and audible floor indicators. Two feet will have to be added to the top of the elevator shaft, as part of the work.
To help pay for the upgrades, Starke County is applying for a $500,000 Public Facilities Program Grant. The county’s share of the cost would be $55,560, which would come out of the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. The local funding arrangements were also approved by the commissioners Monday.
An announcement on whether the county will receive those funds is expected in October. While the grant is considered very competitive, Commissioner Kathy Norem said OCRA officials are optimistic about the county’s chances.
Meanwhile, the Starke County Council took steps of its own, to help provide financing for elevator maintenance and repair. They finalized a resolution creating a Courthouse Elevator Sustainability Fund authorized the deposit of $5,000, as a starting amount.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Upgrades to the Starke County Courthouse elevator are a step closer to moving ahead. The county commissioners voted Monday to submit a grant application to the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, after they sent in a letter of intent last month.
As part of the upgrades, new automatic sliding doors will be installed on both the elevator cab and each floor level, according to engineering firm DLZ. The existing manual doors are considered too heavy for many users to open, which has led to accessibility concerns.
Engineers say the elevator will also be outfitted with modern fire alarm controls, emergency communication devices, and audible floor indicators. Two feet will have to be added to the top of the elevator shaft, as part of the work.
To help pay for the upgrades, Starke County is applying for a $500,000 Public Facilities Program Grant. The county’s share of the cost would be $55,560, which would come out of the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. The local funding arrangements were also approved by the commissioners Monday.
An announcement on whether the county will receive those funds is expected in October. While the grant is considered very competitive, Commissioner Kathy Norem said OCRA officials are optimistic about the county’s chances.
Meanwhile, the Starke County Council took steps of its own, to help provide financing for elevator maintenance and repair. They finalized a resolution creating a Courthouse Elevator Sustainability Fund authorized the deposit of $5,000, as a starting amount.
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