Kosciusko County District 4 Councilman Jon Garber announces he will be seeking re-election as councilman during the primary on May 6.

Garber, a Republican, was elected in a special May 2012 caucus to fill the vacated 4th District council seat that came open upon the death of councilman John Kinsey. 

Garber is a 1971 graduate of Warsaw Community High School. Attending Indiana University, Garber received an A.B. degree in Political Science. Garber returned to IU Graduate School for studies in Public Administration in Parks and Recreation.

In December 2011, Garber retired from the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Department with over 37 years of full-time service – 10 years as an assistant superintendent and 27 years as superintendent.

Garber stated, “Through my administrative experiences as a public department head, I displayed my fiscal conservatism as evident by my annual presentation of frugal budget proposals promoting department ‘needs’ over ‘wants.’ As a county councilman, I have carried over this identity of being fiscally conservative yet progressive in thought.”

Garber noted with pride that, according to the 2013 Government Statistical Report supplied by Indiana Farm Bureau, Kosciusko County is ranked first out of 92 counties in the state of Indiana for the lowest county general fund tax rate.

As county councilman, Garber was appointed to serve as the council representative to the boards of the Kosciusko Solid Waste District, Warsaw Community Development Corporation and committee member of the Kosciusko County Economic Development Commission.

Garber has been active in the Republican Party, currently serving as Vice-Precinct Committeeman for Seward 2, and having been a county delegate to several Republican State Conventions. Additionally, Garber volunteers for various philanthropic and charitable organizations, including the Warsaw Lions Club (33 year member, 14 years as secretary), Warsaw Biblical Gardens, Kosciusko County Shrine Club (past co-chairman of the county Shrine Circus Committee), Boys Scouts of America and Beaver Dam/Loon Lake Conservation Association (Presidential Council). Garber attends the Warsaw First United Methodist Church where he serves on various committees, sings in the choir and volunteers at The Community Closet.

Garber stated, “It has been an honor to serve on the county council and getting to know and appreciate the dedication and commitment of county department heads and employees. If elected to serve again, I pledge to work toward the continuation of efficient and effective government, promoting ‘needs’ over ‘wants’ when addressing fiscal matter that come before the council.”