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Commissioners approve building repairs, add Industrial Park Drive to county inventory and seek quotes for brush chopper
Summary
The board approved repairs to courthouse plumbing using maintenance funds, authorized staff to pursue purchase of a used service truck with plow options, voted to return Industrial Park Drive to the county inventory for patching, and asked staff for formal quotes and lease terms on a $270,000 brush chopper.
Starke County commissioners addressed several public‑works and equipment items at their Dec. 15 meeting, approving immediate repairs, advancing vehicle acquisition and formally accepting a privately used industrial road into county inventory.
Building repairs and budgets: staff reported a leaking attic/backflow and multiple temporary pipe repairs; commissioners authorized using building maintenance (janitor) funds or short‑term transfers as needed to fix the affected section. Speakers discussed prior quotes and the need to replace sections of pipe; staff said they would seek counsel approval for any internal budget transfers.
Fleet and equipment: the board discussed a used 2015 Ford F‑350 (about 100,434 miles) with a possible snow‑plow install (quoted at $4,500). Commissioners approved moving forward to secure the vehicle pending inspection and agreed to explore funding arrangements. Separately, highway staff requested procurement options for a brush chopper (quoted at about $270,000 fully equipped). Given existing lease obligations on trucks, staff will provide Sourcewell quotes and lease‑payment scenarios for the board to consider in January.
Industrial Park Drive: a road in the county's industrial park (approx. 1,090 feet at 275 SW of US‑35) was not on the county inventory; a local business owner confirmed the county had previously plowed the road and currently had limited use. Commissioners voted to return the road to county inventory and to patch it; more extensive resurfacing would be scheduled based on next year’s paving priorities and available hot‑mix funding.
Ending note: staff will bring formal quotes, lease terms and clearer budget lines to the board in January to allow final decisions on the brush chopper and vehicle acquisition.
