Commissioners discuss office space, vendor laptop arrangement and employee expense guidance

Starke County commissioners addressed several internal-administration items including office-space shortages, a vendor-provided laptop arrangement and whether county funds should cover routine consumables.

An elected official raised privacy concerns and noted they were the only elected official without a private office. Commissioners discussed potential options, including repurposing space across from the auditor’s office or locating staff in a new EMS building to free up space. The board tabled immediate action and asked staff to explore options to have something in place before tax season.

On the technology question, commissioners debated whether the county or a vendor should buy a laptop to support vendor work on county systems. Michael and Stanley (IT) explained the vendor had offered to buy the laptop and initial license and that Stanley would retain control of security and configurations. The board approved a motion to allow the vendor to obtain the device for Starke County work, with a condition that county IT would manage access and maintenance.

Separately, commissioners reviewed recurring discretionary purchases such as coffee, snacks and sanitizing wipes. Some department heads said they buy consumables themselves, while others noted limited budget line items for election-day meals. Commissioners suggested drafting clearer handbook language or holding a special session to define acceptable office expenses and reimbursements; staff were asked to solicit department-head input and return with recommended language.

Next steps: staff to inventory space options and return with recommendations, IT to accept policy materials and manage the vendor laptop under county controls, and commissioners to solicit handbook edits or schedule a workshop to articulate acceptable office expenditures.