Starke County commissioners approve $70,000 to shore up Community Services' budget shortfall

Starke County commissioners voted on May 15 to provide a one‑time $70,000 allocation to Community Services after the nonprofit warned of steep funding declines and program cuts.

Jacqueline Seebach, a board member of Community Services, told the commissioners the group has seen decreasing federal and state grant support and has already scaled back services. A representative for the organization said the group projects an operating shortfall of nearly $90,000 for each of 2026 and 2027 if revenue trends continue.

The request prompted questions from commissioners about what services would be affected and whether county economic‑development income‑tax funds could be used. A pastor who spoke during public comment urged the board not to cut the services, saying the group served nearly 7,000 people in the prior year and that denying support would be a disservice to the county’s older residents.

Commission debate also touched on potential conflicts of interest after one commissioner disclosed he volunteers at the nonprofit. County legal counsel advised that volunteering, as described in the record, did not create a legal conflict that would bar the commissioner from voting.

Speaker 11 moved to allocate $70,000; Speaker 2 seconded. The chair called the question and declared the motion passed after voice votes.

The commissioners requested Community Services return in July with updated budget figures and additional detail about how the county funds would be used. The board also encouraged the nonprofit to pursue publicity and volunteer recruitment as a way to stabilize services.

The decision covers operating needs only; no long‑term funding pledge was approved at the meeting.