Pulaski County officials discuss consolidating county offices, seek updated comprehensive plan; EMS director offers alternate study vendor

Pulaski County commissioners and town council members discussed options for consolidating county offices, funding a new comprehensive plan and an EMS study, and the future of a county farm lease during a joint meeting at the Pulaski County courthouse.

County officials said the West Annex and the older East Annex — which houses the health department and the Purdue Extension office — continue to require frequent repairs, including recurring elevator failures in the East Annex. Commissioners raised whether it would make sense over the long term to consolidate services at a single site rather than continue to maintain multiple aging buildings.

“Both those buildings with their ages … I really think that our comprehensive plan … lends a hand into this,” said Commissioner Don. “I think we need to move forward on [a] plan. That’s my standpoint as one commissioner.”

Officials noted a previously commissioned county facilities study from roughly a decade ago may exist but has not been located; several meeting participants said an updated plan or assessment would help guide whether to repair, retrofit or build new facilities. One option discussed informally was siting new space near acreage the county already owns by the ambulance service, which officials said could accommodate the health department and Purdue Extension.

Cost and funding were recurring themes. Participants said a prior grant program had offered about $60,000 but that firms’ updated prices had risen; one participant estimated the county would likely need to budget roughly $90,000 to $110,000 to cover a comprehensive plan or updated study “to be safe.” Council members and commissioners agreed the council would need to approve any funding for such a project.

Natasha Daugherty, Pulaski County’s EMS director, told the joint meeting she had submitted a proposal and had also forwarded the name of a different survey company recommended by the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS). Daugherty said IDHS recommended the group because of its experience working with other Indiana EMS services and because IDHS considered that vendor “fair, unbiased, and [likely] a better plan in the long run.” She said she did not yet have formal bids when she brought the recommendation and that any consultant cost would likely be covered from the county’s revenue fund in the current year, though additional council funding could be requested if necessary.

A separate issue discussed was the county farm property. Officials said the tenant who had been operating roughly 110 acres had died, and the county would need to begin the process to re-let the property. Meeting participants noted a notice deadline of Dec. 1 for termination or to clarify tenancy arrangements and said the county should prepare to solicit bids for the acreage.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of joint meeting minutes from Aug. 11, 2025 (commissioners): motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carried. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

- Approval of joint meeting minutes from Aug. 11, 2025 (council): motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carried. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

- Approval of updated meeting locations for joint sessions through the remainder of 2025: motion made and seconded; voice vote; motion carried. No roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Next steps and context

No formal decision was made at the meeting to start construction or to select a consultant; commissioners and council members asked staff to gather further information, locate any prior facility studies, and bring cost estimates and grant opportunities back for future consideration. Natasha Daugherty said she would follow up with formal bids for the EMS study vendor recommended by IDHS. Officials closed the meeting with an opportunity for public comment before adjourning.