Posted onvOctober 28, 2019
Author Anita Goodan, WKVI
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.
Oesterreich said the State Board of Accounts recommended that the council vote to move some money to put those funds into the black. Some of the balances have been carried in the red for several years. The list presented to the council were some of the larger issues reportedly found.
Peaman explained that grant money was received for certain projects that were overspent in those line items.
“We have new instruments in place to prevent that. I mean, that’s one of the requirements of our audit to make sure those kinds of things don’t happen. It was just an oversight at that time,” said Pearman.
He went on to say that sometimes grant money is behind and it’s hard to track. The money is spent before the grant money comes in and he said it’s easy to overspend.
The council members voted to clean up several funds in the amount of $11,647.12 with Rainy Day funds. It had to be a unanimous vote, which occurred. It was said that the money could be returned to the Rainy Day funds by the end of the year.
Showing posts with label State Board of Accounts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State Board of Accounts. Show all posts
Monday, October 28, 2019
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
North Judson Town Council Moves to Transfer Old Rail Road Funds to New Account
Posted on October 4, 2017
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The cumulative railroad revenue fund was established through an ordinance passed by the North Judson Town Council at their last meeting in September. The ordinance was passed in order to switch over the $94,820.19 in the previous railroad fund to the newly established account.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins alerted the council Monday night that the State Board of Accounts said she needed council approval before any funds could be transferred.
She informed them that the old railroad fund, as well as their credit card is currently at First Farmers Bank and Trust, while their general account is at First National Bank of Monterey. She asked the council whether they wished to move all the money in the old rail road account over to the First National Bank of Monterey or if they wanted to close out the old railroad account and start the cumulative railroad revenue fund at First Farmers Bank and Trust.
Council President Wendy Hoppe suggested keeping the railroad money at First Farmers Bank and Trust since they also have their credit card there. Councilman Josh Brown agreed stating that he felt it was a good idea to have money in more than one place.
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck added that the State Board of Accounts used to require money in multiple banks. Collins mentioned that although that is no longer a requirement it still seems like it would be in their best interest to have funds in both banks.
The council unanimously approved the transfer the money in the old railroad account into the cumulative railroad revenue fund while retaining First Farmers Bank and Trust as the depository.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
The cumulative railroad revenue fund was established through an ordinance passed by the North Judson Town Council at their last meeting in September. The ordinance was passed in order to switch over the $94,820.19 in the previous railroad fund to the newly established account.
Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins alerted the council Monday night that the State Board of Accounts said she needed council approval before any funds could be transferred.
She informed them that the old railroad fund, as well as their credit card is currently at First Farmers Bank and Trust, while their general account is at First National Bank of Monterey. She asked the council whether they wished to move all the money in the old rail road account over to the First National Bank of Monterey or if they wanted to close out the old railroad account and start the cumulative railroad revenue fund at First Farmers Bank and Trust.
Council President Wendy Hoppe suggested keeping the railroad money at First Farmers Bank and Trust since they also have their credit card there. Councilman Josh Brown agreed stating that he felt it was a good idea to have money in more than one place.
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck added that the State Board of Accounts used to require money in multiple banks. Collins mentioned that although that is no longer a requirement it still seems like it would be in their best interest to have funds in both banks.
The council unanimously approved the transfer the money in the old railroad account into the cumulative railroad revenue fund while retaining First Farmers Bank and Trust as the depository.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Starke County Officials Struggle With Jail Budget
Starke County officials are looking at short and long-term ways to shore up operating expenses at the new jail. It has been open for about a year, and budgeted operating costs were based on an actuarial study done for the county. Information shared during last night’s joint meeting of the council and commissioners indicates those recommendations may have been based on flawed information.
At the time the study was done, Starke County was paying Pulaski County to house inmates due to issues with capacity at the facility across from the courthouse in downtown Knox. The staffing analysis performed for Starke County by the Indiana Sheriff’s Association apparently assumed the old jail was adequately staffed and the new facility would have a similar population, based on the discussion during last night’s meeting.
Budget and staffing considerations for the new facility were based on that analysis. In addition to now housing those inmates locally, changes to the state’s felony sentencing guidelines have lower-level felons serving their sentences in the county instead of a state prison. The Department of Correction pays the county a per dem for those inmates, as well as the ones in the pilot therapeutic community drug treatment program. However those payments run about three months in arrears, and the money goes into the county general fund instead of the sheriff’s budget. Meanwhile, the increase in inmate population requires more local resources.
Auditor Kay Chaffins and matron Chris Suprenant are going to work with the State Board of Accounts and see if a separate fund can be set up within the budget to earmark that money for the sheriff’s office.
In the short term the commissioners voted to accept a new contract with NIPSCO for utility services with a rate that will save an estimated $80,000 per year. Longer term solutions include the possible addition of solar panels to further reduce energy costs and the possible addition of a wind turbine. Councilman Brad Hazelton is looking into that possibility, including the availability of grants to offset construction costs.
County officials also want to talk to the judge and prosecutor to ensure sentences fit crimes in order to keep the jail population in check. They’re also hoping for greater utilization of the courtroom at the justice center by both Starke Circuit and Knox City court to save on prisoner transportation.
Additional discussions are expected at Monday’s regularly scheduled joint meeting of the council and commissioners.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
North Judson Town Council Sets Up Revolving Loan Fund
Published: April 22, 2015
By: Mary Perren, WKVI
North Judson will still have a grocery store thanks to quick
action by the town council. Heartland Markets has signed a letter of intent to
buy Ray’s Super Foods on Lane Street. Company officials also asked the town if
they could offer any incentives. North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Donna Henry
recently spoke with representatives from the State Board of Accounts, who suggested
they could set up a revolving loan fund for economic development projects.
The council on Monday passed an emergency resolution to
formally establish such a fund in accordance with state law with proceeds from
the County Economic Development Income Tax Fund. The town council previously
agreed to loan Heartland Markets up to $50,000 for electrical upgrades to the
building. The town’s attorney is drafting the promissory note for that loan,
which the council will review before it is executed. Starke County Economic
Development Foundation Executive Director Charlie Weaver is also working with
NIPSCO to see what sorts of incentive programs are available to pay for
upgrades to the heating and cooling systems, refrigerators and other items
powered by electricity.
Visit http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/2004/title5/ar1/ch14.html
to read the state statute that allows the establishment of such a fund.
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