County Commissioners transfer equipment, adjust fire department funding

The Marshall County Commissioners addressed several items at this week's meeting, including donating outdated security equipment to a neighboring county and adjusting how the Public Safety Grant Funds are distributed to local fire departments.

The commissioners approved a resolution to transfer the old X-ray machine that previously sat at the courthouse entrance to Starke County.

The county has replaced the security equipment, but decommissioning the old X-ray machine would have cost $3,500—an expense the county sought to avoid.

"They've done favors for us, helped us out, loaned us equipment for the Highway Department," Commissioner Stan Klotz said. "So instead of paying $3,500, we are going to donate it to them. They will assume full responsibility for the X-ray machine and assume all liability going forward."

The formal transfer documentation is required because the equipment is listed on the county's asset list.

The commissioners reappointed Danny Osborn to the Culver Plan Commission after considering another candidate for the position.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon said he was approached by Russ Mason, who expressed willingness to serve on the board. However, when contacted, Osborn indicated he wanted to remain on the commission.

The commissioners unanimously approved Osborn's reappointment.

The commissioners discussed adjusting this year's Public Safety Grant resolution to clarify funding distribution to the county's eight fire departments.

Commissioner Klotz noted the resolution needs to show that the entire $400,000 allocation will go directly to the eight fire departments. Last year's resolution indicated $400,000 would be shared equally among the departments, with an additional $100,000 set aside for special equipment and projects.

Before approving the change, Commissioner Bohannon raised the issue of approximately $21,000 remaining from last year's Public Safety Grant, which John Grolich requested be reappropriated for special equipment and projects.

Bohannon initially recommended dividing the $21,000 among the eight fire departments and letting them decide how to spend it.

However, County Auditor Angie Birchmeier noted that the County Council had already given vocal support to reappropriate the funds as originally intended—for special equipment and projects. She explained that changing the allocation would require going back before the county council in March.

Bohannon withdrew his suggestion, and the commissioners unanimously approved having the county attorney draft a new resolution showing that each fire department can request $50,000 from the Public Safety Grant.