Starke County council delays budget adoption after DLGF says posting rules weren’t met

The Starke County Council postponed a planned budget adoption on Sept. 18 after officials said the Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) would not accept a last‑minute adoption because the budget had not been posted on the state gateway before the meeting.

Chair (Speaker 1) told the meeting that a council member had changed the previously advertised date, and DLGF attorneys determined the change meant the board did not meet the state’s posting requirements. “Today, we would have had a budget adoption,” the Chair said, adding that DLGF staff “told us they normally have 3 attorneys. They’re down to 1 attorney for the state, and the attorney had to approve that too.” The council agreed to reconvene next Friday to complete the adoption when the gateway posting can be made compliant.

Because only three council members were present, staff counsel warned the group it lacked a quorum and thus could not take formal action. “There is no calling a meeting to order, no adjourning the meeting, no voting on anything,” Staff member (Speaker 5) said, advising that only certain officials may call a meeting according to statute. Council members proceeded with discussion only and did not take minutes or votes.

The Chair said the budget package scheduled for adoption would include a plan for a 3% across‑the‑board raise for employees, while other items tied to the budget—such as advertised security cameras and several transfers—will be postponed until the reconvened meeting. The Chair and staff said they would notify the public of the new schedule and ensure the gateway posting meets DLGF requirements before any formal adoption.