Pictured, from left, Commissioner President Cary Groninger and Vice-President Brad Jackson.

KOSCIUSKO — Representatives from area nonprofit organizations attended the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, June 11, to give budget presentations and request funding for the 2020 budget year.

Matt Meersman, director of the St. Joseph River Basin Commission, requested $3,492, the same amount he requested last year.

Jerry Black appeared on behalf of the Kosciusko Historical Society. Black said the historical society was hit with a major expense in the past year when the furnace and air conditioning unit on the third floor of the building needed to be replaced. The historical society is requesting $24,000, a 13 percent increase over last year.

Mindy Wise, 4-H Youth County extension agent, represented Kosciusko County 4-H and requested $44,347, a 2 percent increase from last year.

Randy Hall, CEO of Cardinal Services Inc. of Indiana, requested support for Head Start, Career Links and KABS. Cardinal Services Inc. is asking for $102,921, a 3 percent increase from the 2019 budget year.

Glenn Hall, executive director of Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, requested $49,200, 7 percent more than last year. Hall said their goal is to provide homemakers, aides and skilled care to assist in keeping patients at home as long as possible, and out of very expensive inpatient services such as nursing homes.

Kacey Anderson, associate director at The Beaman Home, requested $40,000, a 31 percent increase from last year. According to Anderson, The Beaman Home has only three available beds at this time. Anderson said federal and state grants have cut back on utilities, phone/internet and food.

David Neff, executive director of Kosciusko Community Senior Services, spoke about the three main services offered by KCSS: transportation, home delivery meals and the activity center.

David Neff, executive director at Kosciusko Community Senior Services, prepares for his presentation.

“We do approximately 85 home delivered meals per day,” said Neff, who requested $35,000, a 14 percent increase from the 2019 budget year.

Otis R. Bowen Center CEO Kurt Carlson represented the Otis R. Bowen Center and asked for an increase of 4 percent, $660,620.

No representative for the Kosciusko Animal Welfare League was in attendance; however, a total of $668,960 was requested by AWL.

Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge David Cates provided a Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative program update. Cates told commissioners he received word last Thursday that the JDAI grant he submitted was approved in full. 

Kosciusko County Community Foundation CEO Suzie Light told commissioners that the foundation submitted an application for a community leadership planning grant in the amount of $75,000. Light said this was approved last week. 

“I’m here today, specifically, to ask you if you will please approve a contract with HPG Network. The Community Foundation is allocating $30,000 of that $75,000 grant for a housing study with HPG Network.” 

“The city of Warsaw has approved a $20,000 contract with HPG Network. We just approved our $30,000 contract with HPG Network. We are are asking the county to partner with us on this,” said Light, who requested $20,000 from the county.

Commissioners approved Light’s request.

Other News:

• County Attorney Chad Miner stated an incorrect date was circulated regarding the Tippy-Chapman Regional Sewer District Indiana Department of Environmental Management meeting. The correct time and date is 6-9 p.m. June 26 at the North Webster Community Center.
• Commissioners approved an ordinance prohibiting knives, firearms and pepper spray from being allowed at the justice building.
• Commissioners approved a Syracuse Public Library Board appointment and signed three documents related to conflict of interest for a member of Nappanee Public Library Board.
• An annual agreement with Creative Benefits Solutions LLC, Warsaw, in the amount of $3,500 was approved. 
• A bid for $23,827 from Core Mechanical, Etna Green, was approved.
• Commissioners heard a presentation by Alan Tio, chief executive officer of Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation.
• An ordinance update regarding deed fees was approved.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 25.