Posted on October 10, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
A resolution adopting the 2020 budget was unanimously approved by the North Judson Town Council when members met Monday night.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe read the resolution into the record and noted that no changes have been made to the budget since they held the required hearing over it back in September.
The Town of North Judson has a total budget estimate of approximately $1.25 million, with the majority of funds, $800,460 listed in the General Fund. The maximum estimated funds to be raised in 2020 comes in around $645,600.
Though the budget received approval from Town officials, it will now go before the Department of Local Government Finance for final approval.
The Town Council was also presented with an inter-local agreement that describes the arrangement between the various municipalities in the Constellation of Starke region that are involved in the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Officials opted to wait to vote on it until their Town Attorney Justin Schramm has a chance to review it, as he was absent from Monday’s meeting. It will be up for approval again at their next meeting on Monday, October 21st.
Showing posts with label Stellar Communities Designation Program. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stellar Communities Designation Program. Show all posts
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Constellation of Starke Preps for RDP Submission, Here’s How You Can Show Your Stellar Support
Posted on September 19, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
After months of continuous collaboration and focused engagement efforts, Constellation of Starke representatives will soon be sending off the final version of the Regional Development Plan for the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Though the application will be submitted by this Friday’s deadline, the process is not over; COS Executive Committee members will be working over the next several weeks to finalize a presentation that will be made in front of program officials in November.
In December, finalists will find out who has been designated as the Regional Stellar Community.
In the meantime, there are many ways for community members to get involved and show their support for the region’s Stellar efforts.
For instance, Constellation of Starke shirts can be purchased for $15 from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. The SCEDF Office is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The shirts feature the region’s logo as well as the slogan ‘vibrant, engaged, growing.’ They’re available in indigo and two different shades of orange. They come in a variety of sizes and if a specific color you like is unavailable in your size, one can be ordered for no additional charge.
Additionally, businesses and individuals can purchase bronze, silver, gold, or platinum sponsorships for $20, $50, $75, or $100+, respectively.
All sponsors will be provided with a window sticker that will reflect their sponsorship level. Click the following link to download the Constellation of Starke Sponsorship Form.
Donations can also be made by visiting nicf.org, pushing the ‘Donate’ button and selecting the ‘Constellation of Starke Stellar Community Fund’ when you’re prompted to designate your gift.
Monetary contributions are utilized to help cover the cost of purchasing promotional materials and other associated expenses.
If you happen to get a shirt or sponsorship sticker, or if you’d just like to highlight your corner of the Constellation of Starke region, you can share photos at any time by tagging Constellation of Starke on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
After months of continuous collaboration and focused engagement efforts, Constellation of Starke representatives will soon be sending off the final version of the Regional Development Plan for the Stellar Communities Designation Program.
Though the application will be submitted by this Friday’s deadline, the process is not over; COS Executive Committee members will be working over the next several weeks to finalize a presentation that will be made in front of program officials in November.
In December, finalists will find out who has been designated as the Regional Stellar Community.
In the meantime, there are many ways for community members to get involved and show their support for the region’s Stellar efforts.
For instance, Constellation of Starke shirts can be purchased for $15 from the Starke County Economic Development Foundation. The SCEDF Office is open from 7:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The shirts feature the region’s logo as well as the slogan ‘vibrant, engaged, growing.’ They’re available in indigo and two different shades of orange. They come in a variety of sizes and if a specific color you like is unavailable in your size, one can be ordered for no additional charge.
Additionally, businesses and individuals can purchase bronze, silver, gold, or platinum sponsorships for $20, $50, $75, or $100+, respectively.
All sponsors will be provided with a window sticker that will reflect their sponsorship level. Click the following link to download the Constellation of Starke Sponsorship Form.
Donations can also be made by visiting nicf.org, pushing the ‘Donate’ button and selecting the ‘Constellation of Starke Stellar Community Fund’ when you’re prompted to designate your gift.
Monetary contributions are utilized to help cover the cost of purchasing promotional materials and other associated expenses.
If you happen to get a shirt or sponsorship sticker, or if you’d just like to highlight your corner of the Constellation of Starke region, you can share photos at any time by tagging Constellation of Starke on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
NJ Town Council Approves Funding for Constellation of Starke
Posted on June 5, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson officials discussed funding for the Stellar Communities Designation Program once again when they met Monday evening.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe informed the members who were not in attendance at last month’s meeting that a total of $5,000 was being requested.
The funding is intended to not only help Constellation of Starke officials secure a consultant for the Regional Development Plan process but to also pay for any additional preliminary costs associated with participation in the program.
As far as funding from other sources goes, County officials have committed up to $20,000, the City of Knox has committed up to $10,000 and the Starke County Community Foundation secured $11,000 in grant funding through the Lilly Endowment.
Councilman James Young, who also serves as a North Judson representative on the Stellar Advisory Committee, provided his input about the funding request.
He shared, “North Judson has a lot a lot to gain from this, working together with Starke County. I definitely think it’s to our benefit to go ahead and look at the money that we can put forward just to show that we’re serious about this.”
Young noted that he thought $5,000 was an acceptable contribution and added that he initially felt providing $7,500 would also be reasonable
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck made a motion to approve the $5,000 contribution, with the possibility to put more funding toward this purpose in the future. The motion passed with unanimous council approval.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
North Judson officials discussed funding for the Stellar Communities Designation Program once again when they met Monday evening.
Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe informed the members who were not in attendance at last month’s meeting that a total of $5,000 was being requested.
The funding is intended to not only help Constellation of Starke officials secure a consultant for the Regional Development Plan process but to also pay for any additional preliminary costs associated with participation in the program.
As far as funding from other sources goes, County officials have committed up to $20,000, the City of Knox has committed up to $10,000 and the Starke County Community Foundation secured $11,000 in grant funding through the Lilly Endowment.
Councilman James Young, who also serves as a North Judson representative on the Stellar Advisory Committee, provided his input about the funding request.
He shared, “North Judson has a lot a lot to gain from this, working together with Starke County. I definitely think it’s to our benefit to go ahead and look at the money that we can put forward just to show that we’re serious about this.”
Young noted that he thought $5,000 was an acceptable contribution and added that he initially felt providing $7,500 would also be reasonable
Councilwoman Jane Ellen Felchuck made a motion to approve the $5,000 contribution, with the possibility to put more funding toward this purpose in the future. The motion passed with unanimous council approval.
Monday, June 3, 2019
Constellation of Starke Selects DLZ as Consultant
Posted on June 3, 2019
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Though Constellation of Starke officials were able to personally complete and submit a Letter of Intent that granted them access to the finalist round of the Stellar Communities Designation Program, they’ve recently sought out a consultant to provide additional guidance.
After reviewing information from two different firms, the consultant selection committee submitted a recommendation to hire DLZ to assist with the Regional Development Plan(RDP) process.
In their service proposal, DLZ offered to assist with preparation for the Regional Development Plan (RDP).
That process will reportedly include the creation of a draft and final RDP, which must include a budget and leverage matrix, a Stellar research investment spreadsheet as well as a steering committee matrix. They will also provide assistance with the final presentation.
The decision to select this firm did not come without extended deliberation. County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler sent out requests for proposals to multiple different companies.
After weeding out the companies who were already working with other regions in the Stellar Communities program, the two remaining firms were DLZ and HWC.
Each of those companies submitted proposals as well as draft contracts. HWC offered a service fee not to exceed $34,500 while DLZ officials said their cost of services was estimated to be $25,000.
Some of the reasons that the selection committee chose to go with DLZ was because of the attention to detail that was displayed in the submitted documentation as well their closer proximity.
Ritzler also mentioned that DLZ has access to their own architects and additional resources so they will not have to hire out subcontractors.
He added that DLZ has worked with HWC in the past so he thinks they’ll work well together as HWC continues to provide assistance with the municipalities’ individual comprehensive plans.
Ritzler noted that it could be beneficial to have more than one set of eyes working with the communities on this process. It will provide a broader perspective overall, while still allowing each agency to focus their energy on their respective tasks.
When the Constellation of Starke Executive Team met last Thursday, they approved the recommendation to hire DLZ, with a unanimous but conditional vote. The attached condition indicated that the submitted contract could be amended slightly before final approval.
The consultant committee will meet with DLZ Program Coordinator Jodi Coblentz on Wednesday to discuss the proposed amendments. She is also being asked to attend a meeting the following day to strategize with the executive team about the next step to take.
Author Jacque Ryan, WKVI
Though Constellation of Starke officials were able to personally complete and submit a Letter of Intent that granted them access to the finalist round of the Stellar Communities Designation Program, they’ve recently sought out a consultant to provide additional guidance.
After reviewing information from two different firms, the consultant selection committee submitted a recommendation to hire DLZ to assist with the Regional Development Plan(RDP) process.
In their service proposal, DLZ offered to assist with preparation for the Regional Development Plan (RDP).
That process will reportedly include the creation of a draft and final RDP, which must include a budget and leverage matrix, a Stellar research investment spreadsheet as well as a steering committee matrix. They will also provide assistance with the final presentation.
The decision to select this firm did not come without extended deliberation. County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler sent out requests for proposals to multiple different companies.
After weeding out the companies who were already working with other regions in the Stellar Communities program, the two remaining firms were DLZ and HWC.
Each of those companies submitted proposals as well as draft contracts. HWC offered a service fee not to exceed $34,500 while DLZ officials said their cost of services was estimated to be $25,000.
Some of the reasons that the selection committee chose to go with DLZ was because of the attention to detail that was displayed in the submitted documentation as well their closer proximity.
Ritzler also mentioned that DLZ has access to their own architects and additional resources so they will not have to hire out subcontractors.
He added that DLZ has worked with HWC in the past so he thinks they’ll work well together as HWC continues to provide assistance with the municipalities’ individual comprehensive plans.
Ritzler noted that it could be beneficial to have more than one set of eyes working with the communities on this process. It will provide a broader perspective overall, while still allowing each agency to focus their energy on their respective tasks.
When the Constellation of Starke Executive Team met last Thursday, they approved the recommendation to hire DLZ, with a unanimous but conditional vote. The attached condition indicated that the submitted contract could be amended slightly before final approval.
The consultant committee will meet with DLZ Program Coordinator Jodi Coblentz on Wednesday to discuss the proposed amendments. She is also being asked to attend a meeting the following day to strategize with the executive team about the next step to take.
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