KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A move to establish a regional sewer district for the Tippecanoe Lake area took a step forward at today’s Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, March 6.

Chad Miner, county attorney, received permission to have Marsha McSherry, county administrator, prepare a resolution for additional appropriations not to exceed $145,000 to get the ball rolling on establishing a regional sewer district. He will be presenting a resolution at the March 20 commissioners meeting to hire Ice-Miller, Indianapolis; Umbaugh and Associates, Mishawaka and Jones Petry Rafinski, Elkhart, contingent on the additional appropriation.

Officials with those three companies will prepare proposed rates and other prep work necessary for a petition to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. This documentation will request the establishment of a regional sewer district. The resolution will be presented to the Kosciusko County Council in April.

Miner noted a meeting was held Thursday, March 1, with representatives of the three companies and others that established a road map to move forward. Additionally he noted the Tippecanoe Sewer Initiative has stated it would postpone its scheduled hearing March 29 in Kosciusko Circuit Court to establish the sewer conservancy if plans progress for a sewer district. Miner believes the additional appropriation would be the appropriate step for the postponement.

Miner did note the funds expended on the companies will be reimbursed through the rates.

“This is where we are at at this point. We get the resolution in place for additional appropriations to get up and running,” Miner stated.

Cary Groninger, county commissioner, made the motion to have the additional appropriation resolution drafted, with a second by Brad Jackson, county commissioner. The motion was unanimous.

There were four members of the county council present at the meeting to hear the presentation. Miner is on the council’s agenda for Thursday. It was noted after the meeting he will make a brief presentation at that time, similar to what was presented today.