Pictured, from left, County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden and County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock.

KOSCIUSKO —  Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock made a public service announcement at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, Feb. 5. 

“We’ve got some rain coming in,” said Rock. “If there are needs to the general public for sand and bags, those items are available at the county highway department.”

Weather forecasts indicate rain is expected tonight through Friday for Kosciusko and surrounding counties. 

According to Rock, sand and empty bags are located outside the gate and available to any residents who need sandbags to control or redirect flooding around their homes or businesses. 

“You’ll need to bring your own shovel and manpower,” Rock stated. 

The county highway garage is located at 2936 E Old Rd 30, Warsaw.

Commissioners approved the following bids recommended by County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden for new county highway department equipment: Rice Ford, Warsaw, in the amount of $33,654 for a 2019 three quarter ton pickup truck; Stoops Freightliner, Fort Wayne, in the amount of $195,670 for two new single axle chassis; W.A. Jones, Columbia City, in the amount of $155.880 for two new single axle dump body equipment including snow plow options; Stoops Freightliner in the amount of $103,311 for a 2020 Western Star chassis; and W.A. Jones in the amount of $71,867 for one tandem axle dump body equipment. 

Tilden informed commissioners that a county highway truck was involved in a rollover accident on Jan. 22 due to icy road conditions. The vehicle, a 2001 Sterling tandem axle dump truck, was totaled. Tilden stated they would be receiving an insurance check, minus the deductible and the $2,183 salvage fee to buy the vehicle back. 

“We’re going to buy it back because we still have three or four other Sterling trucks in our fleet and they quit making them around 2005 or 2006 so parts are becoming obsolete,” Tilden explained.

Tilden reported the possibility of obtaining a demo truck, which would be less expensive. The specifications would not be perfect, Tilden cautioned, although the main components would be there.

Commissioners agreed that Tilden should solicit bids for a replacement truck, with one of the specifications being that the vehicle is needed as soon as possible. A motion was made and approved for the purchase of a replacement truck, with commissioners agreeing to come up with half the funding of the purchase price of the vehicle. 

County Auditor Michelle Puckett told commissioners that the switchboard operator, who has been in that position for 11 years, has decided to leave. Puckett said there has been discussion about switching to an automated phone system and asked for approval from commissioners. 

Puckett stated she would not refill the switchboard position if approval was given for the automated phone system.

Commissioners agreed to try the automated system on a trial basis for six months. 

Other News: 

• Gale Danner, Warsaw, was honored as veteran of the month.
• Kosciusko Area Bus Service General Manager Amanda Landis presented a quarterly contract invoice for the months of October through December 2018, which commissioners approved. According to Landis, KABS provided 58,809 rides in Kosciusko County during the 2018 year, up from 55,000 rides in 2017.
• Commissioners approved a board of finance organization and investment policy and board of finance cancellation of warrants presented by County Treasurer Rhonda Helser. According to Helser, Bob Conley has agreed to remain on as president of the board of finance during 2019. 
• County Administrator Marsha McSherry requested approval for a special deputy/courthouse security agreement which would allow courthouse security personnel to serve as a special deputy and to have all the abilities as someone with that designation. This request was approved.
• Commissioners approved a lease renewal with Cardinal Services submitted by County Attorney Chad Miner.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19.