From left, Commissioner Brad Jackson and Commissioner President Bob Conley pictured here at the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting Tuesday, April 27. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — County Administrator Marsha McSherry announced at the Kosciusko Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, April 27, that the county will be given approximately $15 million through the American Rescue Plan Act put in place by the federal government.

On March 11, President Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act into law. The act is the latest in a series of relief packages offered to offset problems caused by the pandemic.

McSherry asked for approval of an ordinance establishing the local fiscal recovery fund, which enables the county to receive that money.

Commissioners expressed concern that the $1.9 trillion package intended to combat public health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic could bankrupt the country.

“I personally don’t like the idea that the government is borrowing money to give it to various communities, but having said that, if they’re going to do it, it’s our tax money as a county so I think it would be irresponsible of us to turn it down unless there are strings attached that we’re unaware of,” Commissioner Brad Jackson said.

“Grant money is nothing more than money that the government collected from taxpayers like you and I,” Commissioner President Bob Conley said. “They’re trying to be real popular from the federal level and it’s going to bankrupt our children and grandchildren.”

Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger said there are strict guidelines as to what the money can be spent on and the county is still waiting on additional information as to how the money can be spent.

“If they were going to take a vote from all the counties in the United States and say ‘should we give out this money’ I would absolutely vote no, but that wasn’t the option we were given,” Jackson said. “They said ‘we’re going to do it, do you want it or not?’”

Commissioners approved the ordinance and will rely on a committee to determine how to use it.

In another matter, commissioners approved a document proclaiming May 2021 as Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month. 

The proclamation requests that Kosciusko County citizens be cognizant of the need for care and awareness at all times as they live, work and travel the streets, roads and highways throughout the county.

Jerry and Cheryl Ganger were in attendance to represent Kosciusko County American Bikers Aimed Toward Education.

Lastly, commissioners considered a request made by Tori Fehr to rezone 30.24 acres on the west side of SR 15, north of Dixie Drive in Silver Lake, from a Residential District to an Agricultural District.

Area Plan Commission Director Dan Richard and Fehr’s attorney, Steve Snyder, said after Fehr’s original request was denied last June, a series of conditions and restrictions were added.

These conditions allow Fehr to have a maximum of five farm animals on her property. In addition, any primitive camping is restricted to family only.

Morris Jones, who lives in a nearby subdivision, spoke up in opposition of the rezoning. 

“In our subdivision we’ve got restrictions…no farm animals, no trailers, no mobile homes. If you guys allow her to turn this to agriculture, she has access to our addition to her property.”

Morris asked that Fehr access her property from Dixie Drive rather than bringing farm animals through the restricted residential area. 

When Richard and Snyder said they are not aware of a public access from Dixie Drive, Morris suggested that Fehr could put in a new drive creating access to her property off of Dixie.

“If he’s concerned with five animals, look at the alternative if this was developed residentially,” Richard said. “Look at 30 to 40 homes in there. Is that impact a little bit greater than four or five horses or cows out there?”

Conley said Fehr is voluntarily giving up 100 feet of property between her house and Morris’ property in order to appease Morris.

Commissioners approved the rezoning request. 

In other news: 

• Commissioners approved the annual operational report submitted by County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty.
• Commissioners approved a request made by Matt and Amy Cohagan to rezone 14.41 acres at the south side of CR 200S, west of CR 400W in Warsaw, from an Agricultural District to an Agricultural II District.
• A request by Michael Irving to vacate a public way on EMS D15 Lane has been continued to the May 25 meeting.
• Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes received approval to apply for a grant, along with the Wawasee School Corporation and the Syracuse, North Webster and Milford police departments, for $223,000 to purchase new Dell computers for police vehicles, including reserve vehicles.  
• The next regular meeting will be 9 a.m. May 11. 

From left, ABATE representatives Cheryl Ganger and Jerry Ganger, Commissioner President Bob Conley, Commissioner VP Cary Groninger and Commissioner Brad Jackson. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.