County Commissioners approve $50K Public Safety Grant reimbursement for Culver/Union Twp Fire & EMS

The Culver Union Township Fire and EMS Service will be getting a $50,000 Public Safety Grant from Marshall County after Culver’s Town Manager Kevin Danti made a presentation at the Commissioners’ meeting this week.

On Monday, Danti presented the commissioner with a 10-year capital expenditure schedule for Culver Fire, EMS, and Police, prepared by Clerk-Treasurer Karen Heim. He said the objective is to plan ahead, even if it doesn’t work out the way we thought it would.  He said the clerk also created a detailed report of Culver’s police, fire, and EMS expenditures for the last two years. 

The Culver Town Manager said that Clerk-Treasurer Heim works with the Union Township Trustee, Marleen Mahlar, in preparing the budget for the Culver/Union Township Fire and EMS Service.   Danti said they share costs 50/50 with the two entities.

Danti said the fire department purchased 16 Motorola Solutions radios earlier this year for a total cost of $83,128.64 and presented that invoice for reimbursement.  

The county commissioners, with the support of the county council, created a Public Safety Reimbursement Grant Program instead of implementing a new Public Safety Tax.  The program reimburses up to $50,000 annually to the county's eight departments for equipment needs.

Commissioner Stan Klotz commented that the OSHA requirements are placing a significant strain on fire departments.

Commissioner Adam Faulstich said their request aligns perfectly with the commissioner’s plan.  

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon made the motion to approve the $50,000 request for Public Safety Grant funds for the Town of Culver and Union Township. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Faulstich and was approved unanimously.