From left, Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley and Commissioner President Brad Jackson. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Terry Burnworth, owner of Pyramid Consulting Services, of Indianapolis, asked for the approval of Kosciusko County Commissioners to send out requests for proposals for a radio vendor as the county moves forward with the public safety broadband system project.

Burnworth said they would have a pre-submission meeting of prospective vendors on July 15 and present the submissions on Aug. 18. There would then be a six-week review process that would include interviews wth prospective vendors. 

Commissioner Cary Groninger stressed that this process is something that will take time.

“I mean, we’re talking about 18 months,” Groninger said. “It’s not like this is gonna happen tomorrow, but it’s a step in the right direction.” 

“The big thing with this whole proposal, this whole concept is that we will put towers strategically throughout the county that will help with police, fire and EMS, even the public with broadband capabilities so that we won’t have any dead spots in the county,” Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley said.

“It’s going to help,” Burnworth confirmed.

In other matters, Commissioners also approved two-speed limit ordinances presented by County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty.  

The first speed limit ordinance addresses CR 1200N, between CR 450E and Syracuse-Webster Road, where the speed limit will be reduced from 45 mph to 35 mph.

The second ordinance addresses a speed limit reduction on Kalorama Road, from CR 650N to CR 750N. The speed limit will be reduced to 30 mph. 

Attorney Steve Snyder

Area Plan Director Dan Richard then presented three requests. The first was a request by Nolley, Ruff & Ruff, to vacate a portion of the roadway within Epworth Forest.  

Richard said the Area Plan Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request. Commissioners approved the request. 

In the second case, Attorney Steve Snyder asked for a continuance on behalf of the petitioner, Wawasee Marina Inc.  The continuance was granted and the issue will be considered at the July 21 commissioners’ meeting. 

Lastly, Petitioner Tori Fehr submitted a request to rezone 26.24 acres north of Silver Lake from residential to agricultural. 

Fehr explained that she recently bought the land and plans to build a home and live there. She would like to have a few horses on the land, and occasionally invite friends and family members to camp there.

Richard explained that with residential zoning, agricultural animals like horses are allowed with an exception from the Kosciusko Board of Zoning Appeals but no campsites are allowed. With agricultural zoning, animals are permitted and an exception could be received for campsites.

The APC denied the request 7-1, Richard said. It was recommended that the property remain residential and that Fehr go before the Board of Zoning Appeals to request an exception to allow horses.

Fehr told commissioners that she would like family members to be able to come and visit and be able to camp there, but that the property would not be used as a campground.

Richard said Fehr’s initial request to the BZA could be amended to include temporary camping for a specified period of time each year. Commissioners denied Fehr’s request and encouraged her to pursue an exception from the BZA.

In other news:

• Larry Hollar Sr. of Warsaw and Ken Locke of Warsaw both received Veteran of the Month recognition.
• Kosciusko County Community Corrections Executive Director Barry Andrew requested two letters of support from the commissioners as he proceeds with applying for renewal of two grants. This request was approved.
• Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver received approval to apply for the 2021 Public Health Emergency Preparedness grant in the amount of $31,895.
• Commissioners approved a grant subrecipient agreement requested by Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation CEO Alan Tio.
• County Attorney Chad Miner presented a settlement agreement for final approval. The agreement addresses a wage dispute with a former county employee. This was approved.
• The next regular meeting will be at 9 a.m. July 7.