Pictured, from left, Sheriff C. Aaron Rovenstine and Ron Truex.

WARSAW — Sheriff C. Aaron Rovenstine submitted the 2016 annual jail report at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Jan. 24, providing a copy of the report for each board member to review.

The annual report contains information such as the number of jail bookings, the average daily jail population, top 10 charges and gives a breakdown of agency arrests.

According to the report submitted by Rovenstine, the top ten charges in Kosciusko County in 2016 were operating while intoxicated, drugs, failure to appear, battery/assault, theft/burglary/robbery, traffic offenses, parole/probation violation, alcohol (minor), public intoxication and check deception.

The number of jail bookings was down from 2015, although the average length of stay has been longer. Rovenstine explained that this was to be expected due to changes made to sentencing a couple of years ago. “We actually have less people in jail, but they’re spending more time there,” the sheriff reported.

Rovenstine states they are attempting to address the longer stays with the expansion of the work release program. Rovenstine stated that he is “a big supporter of home detention and work release.” He said that without those alternative sentences, the current jail space would not be sufficient to house the jail population.

The number of OWI arrests were down in comparison to 2015, but the number of drug arrests went up, with 583 drug charges being reported for the 2015 year and 598 drug charges in 2016. Of the 598 drug charges, the overwhelming majority involved marijuana or methamphetamine.

The annual jail report is required each year by state statute.

Barry Andrews and members of Kosciusko County Corrections program presented the fiscal year 2018 budget and grant information for review by committee members. Andrews stated that the budget is very similar to the previous fiscal year’s budget, with the biggest difference in budget due to the addition of the forensic diversion program. Ron Truex made a motion to approve the budget. Motion was seconded and approved. Bob Conley praised the work of the program, stating, “You’ve got the attention of people. They know you mean business. They know that someone cares and someone is paying attention.”

Scott Tilden presented multiple bids that he obtained for the purchase of three pickup trucks for the County Highway department. Tilden requested that the board members take the bids under advisement for review and that he be allowed to return and present his recommendations concerning these bids at the next commissioners meeting. A motion was made to allow this, and the motion was approved.

In other news:

• Ann Torpy presented an annual maintenance agreement for voting equipment. Attorney Chad Miner stated that he had looked over the agreement and and saw no issues with it. The agreement was approved.
• Mike Long from Kosciusko County Farm Bureau approached the podium to invite members of the board to attend the third legislative session at 9:30 a.m. Feb.11 at Crazy Egg Cafe. Long stated it will be an open forum, covering topics such as agriculture, industry and schools.
• Robert Cunningham from the Indiana Department of Transportation presented the KABS INDOT voucher. Cunningham gave a budget update and reported that INDOT is attempting to get two more buses, stating that more local income and federal income is needed to cover the salary of two additional drivers. Cunningham reports he has been lobbying for more state funding.
• Attorney Chad Miner stated that bids were received for the Hillside Drive property. Miner suggested holding a live auction among those who have placed bids. Motion was made to approve the live auction, and the motion was passed.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7.