Budgets Top City Council Agenda
Budgets were the key topic of Monday night’s Warsaw Common Council meeting. Requests were presented by non-profit organizations for their 2013 budgets.
The City-Council Athletic Complex is requesting $20,000, which reflects an $11,000 decrease over the 2012 budget.
The Animal Welfare League, which was credited for working hard to raise donations, is requesting $16,500 from the city, which is the same amount they asked for this year.
Kosciusko Area Bus Service has entered a request for $18,500 from the city. That is the same amount as the 2012 budget.
Warsaw Housing Authority, which is requesting for the city from the first time, is asking for $25,000.
George Robertson of Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. was also present at Monday night’s meeting to plead his case for a $5,000 increase from the 2012 request. In all, KEDCo is asking for $55,000 from the city. Robertson said the money is necessary for the economic development organization to continue to bring new business and jobs to the county.
During his presentation, Robertson revealed that yet another new orthopedics company is moving to Warsaw, but said the name of the company, which is currently located in Michigan, is not yet being publicly named. He noted, however, that will additional funding, KEDCo was able to narrowly miss the opportunity to bring the orthopedics company to Warsaw.
“I was able to offer them a $25,000 moving grant to help them move equipment and office spaces here,” said Robertson, “but then I received a call saying a neighboring competitor offered them $75,000.” Fortunately, Robertson said he was able to meet with the company leaders, explain why Kosciusko County was still the best option and upped his moving grant offer to $50,000. “And we got them,” he announced.
The next regular meeting of the Warsaw Common Council will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20. The meeting is starting one hour earlier than usual due to budget hearings.