Money approved on Tuesday, May 24, by Kosciusko County Commissioners will be used for exterior improvements at the Animal Welfare League at CR 325E near US 30. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Dan Spalding
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County will get some financial assistance with money from the federal relief program known as the American Rescue Plan Act.

Kosciusko County Commissioners, on a recommendation from the county committee created to review ARPA spending plans, approved $68,460 for use by the Animal Welfare League for exterior renovations and new HVAC.

John Lantz, AWL’s board president, told county officials that they’ve had to make changes to some interior layout.

AWL’s new home near US 30 and CR 325E opened about three years ago, but officials realized changes were needed.

One example Lantz pointed to was the decision to put a cat room next to a room for dogs, which has caused problems with the cats.

Interior changes are almost complete and officials are now focusing on the exterior. AWL is also seeking to install two HVAC units.

Lantz said they collected a combined $12,000 from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation and the Bradway fund for the exterior work.

Commissioner Cary Groninger said they continue to use ARPA money for a county-wide and lasting impact.

“I think this is something that does serve the county whole and not just the Warsaw area,” Groninger said.

The request was approved unanimously.

In other matters, the commissioners approved the new comprehensive plan developed over the two years with help from K21 Health Foundation and KCCF.

Assistant Planner Matt Sandy recapped the plan, stressing that it’s not a regulatory document that has to be followed, but rather a road map with ideas.

Groninger applauded the effort and said the plan will specifically benefit participating towns with more direction for longterm planning.

“That’s something they’ve never had. That’s going to give them a plan to grow and prosper and have the ability to apply for grants and other things they’ve never been able to do,” Groninger said.

The Area Plan Office will now visit participating towns and seek approval for specific community plans that are part of the entire package.

The commissioners also approved three rezoning requests, including one involving land formerly used as an airstrip east for Bishop Road and south of CR 1290N in Syracuse.

Protech Marine plans to use the 10 acres on the old airstrip property for storage after it was rezoned from pubic use to commercial.

A rezoning brought by Ronald and Betsy Spiegel, Leesburg, sought to change 23 acres from residential to ag. They said the change will make the land more valuable for future sale.

The third request was for 20 acres south of CR 1350N just east of CR 750W. Ernest and Dora Hochstetler, of Milford, sought the request from ag to ag 2 for the purpose of selling to a family member for residential development.

All three zoning votes were unanimous.

In another item, the board approved a recommendation for Tim Keyes to be reappointed to the Warsaw Community Public Library Board.