Kosciusko County Commissioner and Vice-President Brad Jackson

WARSAW – The County Commissioners meeting started off with an announcement regarding an error made in roles of elected officials.

Since the current vice president, Bob Conley, was president last term he cannot hold the vice-presidency this term. Conley stepped down and nominated Brad Jackson for the position. It was a unanimous vote to elect Brad Jackson as the new VP.

In other news, Larry Graham, managing director and public affairs for NIPSCO, presented the pre-construction update of the Reynolds Topeka Electric System Improvement Project. Graham informed the commissioners Tom Galos, from Sargent & Lundy LLC, will be the construction manager for the Reynolds Topeka transmission line project.

The project includes the construction of a 100 mile electric transmission line connecting NIPSCO substations in Reynolds, Burr Oak and Topeka. Graham stated this line was needed to improve electric system reliability and relieve transmission system congestion during high demand periods. The project cost is $270 million. Graham stated that they’ve been securing the right of way necessary for the project and construction will begin early spring.

In other news:

• Rich Maron, presenter of the Veteran of the Month award, was not present.
• Dan Richard, Kosciusko planning commission, put forth a rezoning request to change unused areas of Oswego from Agricultural to Agricultural II. This will be presented at the Feb. 23 meeting.
• Wes Stouder was reappointed to the Economic Development Commission by unanimous approval.
• Ed Rock, emergency management director, is in Baltimore, Md., assisting the city with logistics and resource management. You can read more about it here.