By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

From left, Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley, Kosciusko Area Bus Service General Manager Tony Peterson, Sandy Sandoval, Commissioner President Brad Jackson, Commissioner Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

WARSAW — Sandy Sandoval was recognized for 34 years of service with KABS and Cardinal Services at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, May 26.

She was presented with a plaque congratulating her on her retirement and recognizing her dedication to excellence and her personal commitment to the well-being of riders.

Kosciusko Area Bus Service (KABS) General Manager Tony Peterson was also in attendance. 

Kosciusko Commissioner Cary Groninger said that the length of Sandoval’s employment with the company shows that she has a heart for what she’s doing. 

“I’ve loved it. I’ve really loved it,” Sandoval said of her years working for the organization. “I’ve enjoyed working with Cardinal for all these years.”

Next on the agenda, County Administrator Marsha McSherry suggested revisiting the county’s pandemic protective measures plan.

The plan outlines measures that have been implemented to ensure a safe environment for employees, taxpayers and visitors. 

“There are several items on here,” McSherry said. “One that comes to mind first is the employee self-health screening.”

McSherry recommended following the governor’s plan, which would mean following the self-health screening measures through July 6. That portion of the plan reads:

“Employees must conduct a self-assessment each day before reporting to work in order to check if they have any COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough or shortens of breath). If an employee is presenting any of these symptoms, they must not report to work but call their department head to discuss protocol for returning to work.”

The policy adds, “If an employee begins to show signs of COVID-19 type symptoms, that employee should remove themselves from the work environment and inform the department head. Employees and visitors are encouraged to use cough and sneeze etiquette.” 

This would mean the employee self-health screening would end July 6, McSherry said. She proposed revisiting the rest of the plan at that time, which addresses cleaning/disinfecting protocols, hand washing and sanitizing and social distancing. 

This recommendation was approved by commissioners. 

Kosciusko County Plan Director Dan Richard received approval for three items he brought before the commissioners. 

The first was a request made by Splendor Boats, 9526 S. SR 15, north of Silver Lake, to rezone 4.6 acres of property from an agricultural district to an industrial 2 district. 

The second was a request by Silver Lake Agri Center to rezone 1.45 acres of land from agricultural and residential to industrial, which is what the rest of the business’ property is currently zoned as.

Lastly, Richard presented a request made by Luke Minear, 7166 N. Syracuse Webster Road, North Webster, to rezone 1.91 acres of land from a commercial district to an agricultural district. 

In other matters:

• Kosciusko Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley expressed appreciation to the commissioners and council for the kind words and the card he received on the recent passing of his twin brother, Ronald Paul Conley, of Pierceton.
• Attorney Steve Snyder was granted a continuance on a vacation request made by Wawasee Marina in Syracuse. Snyder asked that this issue be continued and readdressed at the June 23 commissioners meeting.
• The next regular meeting will be at 9 a.m. June 9.