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Council offers county IT lead $72,000, approves two‑year contract for economic development consultant; solar fund strategy debated
Summary
Council members offered Stanley a $72,000 retention package to stay as the county IT lead and moved to accept a two‑year contract for Justin (economic development consultant) including health insurance. Separately, members and residents urged a long‑term plan for roughly $800,000 in solar/EDA funds and recommended Baker Tilly study SEA 1 impacts and a capital improvement plan.
Council members made two personnel and contracting moves and spent substantial time on longer‑term planning for solar/EDA funds.
Personnel and contracting: Stanley told the council he had received an outside offer for a Pulaski County IT director position. Members praised his service and said they wanted to keep him; a motion was made on the record to offer Stanley $72,000 a year as Starke County's IT director beginning Jan. 1 if he accepts. Council asked for a response by the following Monday. "I've been here for 34," Stanley said while describing his ties to the county; members cited his workload and institutional knowledge in urging an offer.
Separately, the council considered a two‑year engagement agreement for Justin (an economic development contractor). Council moved and seconded to accept Justin's two‑year contract, which includes health insurance; members recorded the motion and directed staff to finalize contract terms.
Solar funds, study and CIP: During public comment and council discussion members and audience speakers urged a long‑term plan for solar EDA proceeds. An audience speaker noted the county has received combined EDA payments from NIPSCO and Mammoth that total roughly $800,000 and said Baker Tilly has already been engaged for a related study. The speaker recommended the council require community benefit agreements as part of future EDAs and to commission a capital improvement plan that addresses SEA 1 (Senate Enrolled Act 1) implications for county budgeting and township road funding.
What happens next: The Stanley offer is contingent on his acceptance; if he accepts, the county will add the salary to the 2026 ordinance. Justin's two‑year engagement will be finalized per the contract. County staff will continue work with Baker Tilly and the commissioners on how to structure the solar funds, capital improvement planning and any community benefit requirements for future EDAs.
