WARSAW — The Nov. 13 Kosciusko County Council meeting saw numerous transfers and appropriations in an attempt by department heads to straighten out budgets and prepare for the rest of the year. It was also Thomas Anglin’s first meeting as a council member.

Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Scott Tilden requested appropriations for distribution and contractors. Tilden first requested $143,445.43 for a September distribution, which would reimburse the department for money already paid. When asked what he would do if he had not received the appropriation, Tilden joked, “It would be a pretty sad year for us.”

Tilden also brought forth multiple requests in order to prepare for the winter, including $5,000 for contractual services and $20,000 for salt to cover the roadways. “We need to cover the cost of contractors who will remove snow from the roadways,” Tilden said. The cost of salt has decreased from $99 per ton to $73 per ton, drastically reducing the cost from last year.

In addition, Tilden asked for $30,000 to cover the cost of paint striping for new roads and $49,890 to raise the grade of pavement near the railroad at CR 600N and SR 15. The council approved all appropriations for the department.

The council recognized Anglin’s first meeting after being elected in place of Jim Moyer. “Its a hard seat to fill,” Anglin said. “Moyer did a tremendous job here.” Anglin even noted he showed up before everyone else in order to emulate what Moyer had done in the past. (Related: Anglin Appointed New County Councilman)

Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine brought forth multiple transfers in the department to balance the department’s budget. Rovenstine said, “They make the budget before they decide on raises, so we usually have to clean up at the end of the year with transfers.”

The following transfers were made:

• $1,600 from DNR Grant — Personnel to DNR Grant — Miscellaneous
• $1,752 from Jail Longevity to Corporal Jail
• $10,000 from Sheriff Overtime to Sheriff Payroll
• $3,000 from Civil Process Part-Time to Jail Longevity
• $10,316 from Salaries to Captain Payroll
• $821 from E911 Dispatcher to Dispatch Salaries
• $5,000 from Longevity-911 to Group Insurance
• $2,760 from Dispatcher to Dispatcher, Retirement, Group Insurance
• $1,283.42 from Insurance Payment to Vehicle Repairs and Maintenance
• $25,000 from Gas/Motor Oil to Repairs and Maintenance
• $20,000 from Gas/Motor Oil to Travel/Extraditions

An additional extradition was requested for $900 for mileage, fuel and travel. All transfers and the extradition were approved by the council.

In other business:

• Kosciusko County Clerk Ann Torpy requested a transfer of $300 from Absentee Voting to Overtime to cover the necessary overtime during election season.
• Nicole Wallick from the Kosciusko County Alcohol and Drug Program requested an appropriation of $2,000 to cover the cost of workbooks for people in the program.
• Marsha McSherry from the Employee Health Clinic requested an appropriation of $5,400 for employee clinic medications, $4,300 for employee clinic labs, $70 for employees clinic monthly fees and $7,700 for employee clinic rates. Because the clinic is only in its third year, McSherry pointed out they are still figuring out how to make a solid budget.
• Dan Hampton and Nicole Wallick brought forth the Kosciusko County Coalition on Drug Education proposal, where $106,196 was requested and $76,000 was awarded.
• Randy Morgan confirmed the resolution for the Torrent Engineering abatement brought before the council last month.
• County Auditor Michelle Puckett brought forth the solid waste inter-local agreement resolution, which has not changed since last year.

The council approved all requests and closed the meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10.