The Marshall County Council members will reorganize when they meet for the first time this year today.
After the reorganization, Sheriff Matt Hassel will present a grant request for Naloxone rescue kits and Judge Dean Colvin will join Sheriff Hassel in a request for the purchase of an iTouch Biometric Fingerprint System for the probation department. Continue reading
The Marshall County Health Board is still one board member short even after the commissioners’ appointment of one seat at the recommendation of Marshall County Health Department Administrator Christine Stinson as recently approved by the health board members.
The Marshall County Commissioners ratified an action taken to expedite the process in hiring a county engineer/director for the highway position.
The county council last week approved an amended job description for the position. Since the advertisement for the position under the old job description already took place, a new advertisement needed to be done that spells out the new responsibilities.
Marshall County Recorder Marlene Mahler took a few minutes Monday morning to show the county council members the work an agency in Michigan has done to refurbish the county’s plat books.
Marshall County Sheriff Matt Hassel asked the county council members Monday morning to apply for a Department of Natural Resources grant for Lake Marine Patrol.
Sheriff Hassel said the grant is for patrols for Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver.
“There’s no county cash match or anything. It’s strictly the grant. The Culver Lake Association pays for the program,” said Hassel.
The issue of a part-time code enforcement officer was discussed during Monday morning’s Marshall County Council meeting.
Planning Commission President Stan Klotz noted that there are some issues concerning code enforcement in the county. He said Planning Director Ralph Booker is in an intergovernmental agreement with the City of Plymouth in addition to his full-time duties with the county. He believes that because of the split focus, code enforcement has been lacking in the county.
Marshall County Commissioner Kurt Garner presented the county council members Monday morning with a proposed job description change pertaining to the highway administrator’s position.
Garner explained it is the thought to change the highway administrator’s position to a county engineer/director position. The highway administrator’s position will become vacant at the end of the year with the retirement of Laurie Baker on Dec. 29. Garner said the addition of an engineer to the highway department would be beneficial.
The Marshall County Council members will meet today where Commissioner Kurt Garner will discuss the highway administrator position. Laurie Baker is retiring at the end of the year and the commissioners have accepted applications for her position. He will talk more about that with the council members this morning.
John Grolich approached the Marshall County Council members this week to seek permission to apply for a training grant.
He explained that it would be for a hazardous material training grant for the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
The Marshall County Council members discussed an additional appropriation request from the Argos Community School Corporation this week.
Argos Community School Corporation Director of Business Services Jennifer Lee explained that the money will be used for General Fund purposes.
“We just want to make sure we have the permission to spend throughout the year,” said Lee. “We have the money we just need permission to spend it if we need it to cover salaries and basic General Fund expenses.” Continue reading
The Marshall County Council members took action Monday morning to approve an additional appropriation request.
A $50,000 additional appropriation was approved for the services of Waggoner, Irwin and Scheele to cover the hourly wages of work done to update the county employee job descriptions and wages.
The Marshall County Council members were tasked with approving the transfer of funds to ensure payment of utilities at the Shady Rest Home and for other county facilities for the remainder of the year.
The county received the operation of the county home on Lincoln Highway in August when the Bowen Center decided to cease operations at the facility. The structure has been vacant since that time, but a nine-member Shady Rest Home committee is working to find a tenant to bring needed services to aid the residents of Marshall County.
Marshall County Community Corrections Executive Director Ward Byers approached the county council on Monday morning asking for approval to seek grant funding for the department’s budget.
Byers said this request is in accordance with the preparation of the 2019 Fiscal Year budget.
“Our current fiscal year budget is $403,100,” said Byers. “I’m not certain if that’s going to go up at all. The advisory board has not reviewed any numbers yet. That will be done at December’s meeting.” Continue reading
Marshall County Health Department Administrator Christine Stinson asked the county council to approve a grant request application for a $2,500 mini grant from the Indiana State Association of County and City Health Officers.
Stinson explained that the grant funds would be used as a voucher program to test known IV drug users for Hepatitis C as she feels that is a population that needs more health study. Continue reading
Marshall County Highway Supervisor Jason Peters and Commissioner Kurt Garner went before the county council Monday morning to request funds to complete funding for three Community Crossings grant projects.
Three projects were approved for funding, but with the way the bidding numbers came in only two projects could be fully funded. The highway department is seeking funding for a third project to be funded solely by the county council. Continue reading
The Marshall County Fair Board will be applying for an Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) grant worth $500,000 for a multi-purpose building in the Town of Argos.
An application request was approved by the Marshall County Council members on Monday morning. Marshall County Fair Board Secretary Angel Balsley explained that the project did not receive grant funding in the previous round of OCRA grants but will apply for the additional grant round in February. The date to announce an intention to apply for the grant is Friday, Dec 1. The fee is $150 which will be paid for by the fair board. Continue reading
The Marshall County Council will meet today with several items on the agenda.
Highway Supervisor Jason Peters and County Commissioner Kurt Garner are expected to request funds for a third project not funded by Community Crossings money for 2018. The South Michigan Street project from Dewey Street to State Road 110 had a low bid of $450,352 submitted by Walsh and Kelly. Continue reading
The INDOT contracts for projects awarded 2018 Community Crossing grant money were presented to the Marshall County Commissioners for signature Monday morning.
Highway Administrator Laurie Baker said after the contracts are signed the county can begin the process of receiving the grant money totaling $518,322.87. The county’s match is $129,580.72. Continue reading
Work will begin soon on a Marshall County Community Crossings grant project.
Highway Supervisor Jason Peters said paving on Beech Road could start either on Friday, Nov. 10 or Monday, Nov. 13. Inclement weather could play a factor on the start of the project and the overall completion. Continue reading
Marshall County officials are coming up with ways to promote the county to potential residents and those interested in relocating businesses. The county government and the Marshall County Economic Development Corporation have hired the Mishawaka-based Big Idea Company to lead a branding effort as successful as https://fullypromotedfranchise.com/products-services/custom-t-shirts/ ,according to Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy.
