Commissioner President Bob Conley.

KOSCIUSKO — Tuesday, March 6, at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting, Kosciusko Veteran Affairs Officer Rich Maron requested permission for “floating hours.” Maron explained that he is not asking for more hours but would like more flexibility in his hours.

Maron is currently scheduled to work Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. He stated that there are times when the legions, DAV and similar organizations have meetings other days of the week. Maron stated he would like to attend some of those meetings in order to meet with veterans and provide information to them regarding assistance that is available to them.

“One of the things I’m always trying to do is go into those places so that I can share information about benefits. I could be helping more veterans – their families, their widows – in ways they are not aware of,” said Maron.

Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger spoke up, commenting, “I’d like to add that anything we can do to get out there and meet our veterans and make sure we’re doing all we can for them in our community – because they’ve paid the ultimate price lots of times. We need to be able to connect with them, wherever they’re at.”

Maron then asked if any of the commissioners would be interested in attending some of these events and offered to include commissioners in emails related to upcoming meetings. All commissioners responded in the affirmative.

“I’d love to be part of this,” said Commissioner President Bob Conley. Maron’s request was approved.

When Kosciusko County Emergency Management Agency Director Ed Rock approached the stand, commissioners remarked that Rock has been busy the past couple of weeks due to all the rainfall and flooding.

“Speaking of rainfall,” said Rock, “I did a quick calculation and found that Kosciusko County received 27 billion gallons of rainfall.”

Rock presented a 2017 EMPG salary reimbursement grant request.

“Basically I’m asking to apply for a grant that is going to reimburse the county for fifty percent of the wages of both myself and the administrative assistant,” Rock explained. “So basically it’s a grant to give you money back for money you’ve already spent.”

Rock also asked commissioners to sign a disaster emergency declaration.

“Because of the 27 billion gallons of water, it has obviously created some issues for us. We want to make sure we stay on the Disaster Declaration for the State of Indiana so that we can help people who are in dire straits because of all that water,” said Rock. “What I hear is a Disaster Emergency Declaration for the county and the city of Warsaw. We’re going to need federal funds to help people out and to help rebuild our infrastructure -our roadways, bridges, culverts. I’m asking that you approve this declaration with your signatures.” Both of Rock’s requests were approved.

County Clerk Ann Torpy presented a resolution to move the county to a case management system. Judge David Cates accompanied Torpy to show his support for the change. Torpy asked the commissioners to give approval for the clerk and the courts to move to the Odyssey Case Management System. Torpy explained that the Odyssey Case Management System is a free system provided by the state.

“We went to electronic filing of court records in May of last year and this system is more compatible than what we have now,” said Torpy. She informed commissioners that she would be visiting Fulton and Marshall counties next week, as both counties formerly used the CSI System and are now using the Odyssey system.

“We can see how the implementation went for them and what we can expect in the future,” Torpy said. She assured commissioners that there would be no cost involved for training or software. This request was approved by commissioners.

County Administrator Marsha McSherry requested approval for the reappointments of Mike DeWald and Parke Smith to the Lakeland Regional Sewer District Board, as both appointments expire in April 2018. DeWald serves as treasurer of the board, and Smith recently became secretary for the group. The commissioners approved both.

Other News:

• Thomas Kinch, Warsaw, was honored as the March Veteran of the Month.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 20.