By Jef Rietsma
Special to the Journal
St. Joseph County commissioners plan to interview candidates interested in serving on the advisory board that oversees Commission on Aging.
Terms of six current board members expire June 30, and commissioners discussed whether to renew their appointments or interview the group in addition to anyone from the community interested in serving.
At the commission’s executive committee meeting Wednesday, county administrator Teresa Doehring said five of the six have expressed interest in returning for another term. She has not heard from the sixth.
“With that many seats coming available, is your pleasure to continue to make those seats available to anybody who’s interested and go through an interview process?” Doehring said. “Or, if you’d like to automatically reappoint those that want to continue?”
By Jef Rietsma
Special to the Journal
A St. Joseph County steering committee, formed to identify allocation of nearly $12 million in federal funds, held its first meeting May 18.
Although specifics about the meeting weren’t revealed, St. Joseph County administrator Teresa Doehring told commissioners the gathering was a positive starting point.
Involved in the discussion were Doehring, county commissioners Dan Czajkowski and Kathy Pangle, finance director Angie Steinman and county treasurer Kathy Humphreys.
Conversation centered on funding the county expects to receive through the American Rescue Plan.
“A very preliminary meeting, just to begin the discussion process of what we would like the priorities and parameters to be, what the whole process will look like as we receive requests for those funds, we want to implement that whole process,” Doehring said. “We did have a good discussion and we’ll be having a lot more to discuss in the future.”
By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
A boost in broadband coverage countywide appears to be high on a wish-list being compiled by county officials.
The topic was addressed Tuesday at the county board of commissioners meeting.
St. Joseph County is expected to receive close to $12 million as part of the federal government’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.
Earlier in the day, commissioner Jared Hoffmaster discussed the matter with officials from several townships and municipalities, as part of a government-relations committee meeting.
“They were talking about partnering with the county, and I think they’re talking to (county administrator Teresa Doehring) about the American Rescue Plan money and doing some broadband expansion in our county,” Hoffmaster said. “I’m not sure if that’s in our strategic plan or not, but I’m going to have to take a look at that.”
By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
Allocation of St. Joseph County’s slice of a $1.9 trillion pie from the federal government will be recommended by a specially created steering committee.
County commissioners, at their executive committee meeting Wednesday, discussed the payment set to arrive through the American Rescue Plan.
Although the anticipated amount has not been disclosed by county officials, it’s expected to be significant enough to warrant attention from the committee.
County administrator Teresa Doehring elaborated on the topic.
“Part of the strategic planning process for how we handle those funds, I thought it made the most sense … for us to establish a steering committee or a group approach to try to begin strategizing, discussing and setting parameters and priorities,” Doehring said. “My initial thought would be two commissioner representatives, myself, the finance director and our treasurer. From there, as we learn more and work through the process
By Jef Rietsma Journal Correspondent
For nearly 35 years, Pat Kulikowski has played a crucial, behind-the-scenes role in the operation of St. Joseph County government.
Kulikowski was present in 1991 when the board of commissioners hired the county’s first administrator, Patrick Yoder. Yoder was succeeded by Judy West-Wing, and Kulikowski remained as the backbone to West-Wing’s administration for nine years.
Kulikowski and Yoder reunited in 2013, when he returned to the position of the county’s highest, non-elected position.
Kulikowski continued her duty as administrative assistant after Yoder retired in 2017. Human resources director Teresa Doehring assumed the administrator’s post.
Now, it’s Kulikowski s turn to move onward. The 63-year-old Three Rivers resident is retiring. Her final day at work is April 14.