Commissioners do not approve $80,000 request for Starke County Community Services; motion dies for lack of second

The Starke County commissioners declined to approve an $80,000 appropriation for Starke County Community Services after commissioners said they needed more detail about where the money would come from and how it would be used.

A representative for Starke County Community Services told the board the county council had already approved a related allocation and that the organization was asking the commissioners for $80,000 for general operational support and program costs. “We went to the county council a couple weeks ago … we’re supposed to come to you guys next, the commissioners, for $80,000,” the Community Services representative said.

Commissioners pressed for more detail about which programs the funding would support and whether the $80,000 would be on top of the usual $10,000 the commissioners allocate annually. The chair said he was "comfortable with the $10,000 because that was already in the budget," but not with approving the full $80,000 without additional information.

One commissioner moved to approve the $80,000; the motion did not receive a second and therefore failed. The board’s discussion noted the council’s prior vote, the county’s projected budget shortfall next year and a request that Community Services return with a clearer budget and paperwork at a future meeting.

The board advised the presenter to bring a detailed budget and documentation for the program allocations and, if necessary, to return to the commissioners’ agenda in June so the item could be considered alongside budget planning.

Next steps: Community Services was invited to provide a specific budget breakdown and to coordinate with county staff to identify the appropriate fund source before a future vote.