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Saturday, February 13, 2016
Serving Bureau County Since 1847
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County board slow to OK $30,000 purchase New system would be multi-functional By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — When asked to approve a new asset tracking and accountability system at a cost of $30,000, the Bureau County Board had second thoughts about the need for the purchase at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 9. The EMA and zoning committee has been discussing the new system for a while now, according to Bureau County EMA Director Keenan Campbell. “EMA got involved because we print county employee badges, and our system was obsolete. It’s hard for EMA to justify buying a $30,000 badge machine that sits around most the year. With this system, we can do emergency tracking, track all county assets and print all the ID cards for employees,” Campbell said, adding because of all its functions, it takes a system that would normally be underutilized and allows it to be used all year round. When asked where the money would come from to pay for the new system, Campbell said the EMA and zoning committee figured public safety sales tax monies could be used for the purchase. However, board member Mary Jane Marini questioned how the system would qualify for the tax.
“It’s because it has an emergency component in it,” Campbell said. “If we have a disaster, I would be able to track time, firefighters and equipment ... so when FEMA comes to us and says, ‘Bureau County you had a disaster, we’re going to give you your money back.’ I have to prove that to them.” Campbell added it would also help better track volunteers and staff members’ time during a disaster to make sure they were not overworked, therefore preventing any action from OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini questioned the board’s authority of being able to use public safety sales tax monies for the purchase. Campbell said it was 100 percent public safety guaranteed because when a disaster happens, every badge used from the system would come into play. Caffarini said he would have to look into it further to see if it could qualify it under public safety sales tax. County administrator Sue McLaughlin said there is a possibility the county could be reimbursed up to 50 percent for the system through a federal EMA funding grant. Also, there is a possibility of receiving a reimbursement from the Bureau/Putnam/Marshall County Health Department. Campbell explained how the department wants to improve security at their building and is looking into a key card system that would require identification cards. If the county purchased the machine, they would be able to print
“EMA got involved because we print county employee badges, and our system was obsolete.” Keenan Campbell EMA director cards for the employees and could receive reimbursement through the health department. Board member Connie Stetson said with the possible reimbursements, the county would receive for the system, it could drive the cost of the system down to as little as $5,000. McLaughlin also added when the county was audited, one of its deficiencies was needing to track county assets better. It was discussed the current way county assets are tracked is each department head provides a spreadsheet list of assets to the county clerk’s office. From there, the clerk updates the lists as the information is re-entered into another spreadsheet. It was determined the new tracking system would save time and labor from having to re-enter information at the clerk’s office.
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The vote! The last day to register is Tuesday By Goldie Rapp grapp@bcrnews.com
BCR photo/Dave Cook
Kayla Hand, floral designer at Flowers by Julia, is pictured with some of the many choices available to those seeking a romantic gift for a loved one this Valentine’s Day weekend. Roses were the favorite flower of Venus, the Roman goddess of love, so it’s only natural they have become a sweetheart’s best friend during this romantic day.
Flowers, flowers and more flowers Area florists are ready to help declare your love
By D ave Cook dcook@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — When choosing which classic Valentine’s Day gift is the most iconic, it would be a hard choice between flowers, chocolates and cards. But there’s no doubt that receiving a large, colorful and fragrant bouquet is the gift that gets the most Year 170 No. 19 One Section - 20 Pages
© Bureau County Republican
attention. Area florists now have several thousand flowers awaiting delivery into the arms of the amorous. The storage cooler at Valley Flowers and Gifts in Spring Valley is no doubt filled to maximum capacity and as aromatic as can be.
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PRINCETON — With just more than a month away from the general primary election on March 15, Bureau County Clerk Kami Hieronymus has announced the deadline for residents who still need to register to vote. The last day to register is Tuesday, Feb. 16. People may register in the county clerk’s office, Spring Valley City Clerk’s Office, through precinct committeemen and other deputy registrars throughout the county. Also, public service agencies will register people, such as the public aid office and driver’s license facility. When seeking to register to vote, a person must provide two forms of identification. Hieronymus said usually people are asked to show their driver’s license and a piece of mail with their address listed. Other identification forms that can be used include a Social Security card, birth certificate, utility bill, etc. Those who are already registered to vote, but have maybe had a change in address or a change in last name should also take this opportunity to
update the information. Residents can make these necessary changes at any registrar place. It’s important to update any changes, so residents can be directed to the correct voting poll and receive the correct ballot on Election Day. Voters who still need to request a mail-in ballot may do so until Thursday, March 10. Residents need to call the clerk’s office or complete an application for the ballot online at the Bureau County Clerk’s website. Early voting at the county clerk’s office is now available. Early voting at other temporary sites in the county begins on Monday, Feb. 29. Hieronymus said early voting will be available at the Princeton Moose Lodge on North Euclid Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, at the Spring Valley City Hall on North Greenwood Street, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Early voting at the temporary sites will end on Friday, March 11. The last day for early voting at the county clerk’s office will be Monday, March 14.
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