WARSAW — Proposed 2017 budgets from 10 not-for-profits were heard by Warsaw Common Council members Monday evening, Aug. 1. The meeting, due to the budget requests, began one hour earlier than normal.

Budgets were presented by the Animal Welfare League, Center for Lakes and Streams, City-County Athletic Complex, Housing Opportunities of Warsaw, Warsaw Housing Authority, KABS, Kosciusko County Community Senior Services, Kosciusko County Historical Society, Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation, Warsaw Community Development Corp and WCDC – Facade/Alleyway grand program.

With the exception of one organization, presentations were made by an official from each group explaining his/her program. A number of the entities sought slight increases over the 2016 budgets, while others requested the same amounts.

Budget requests were:

• Animal Welfare League — $19,500, up $500 from 2016
• Center for Lakes and Streams — $15,000, up $5,000
• City-County Athletic Complex — $31,000
• Housing Opportunities of Warsaw — $25,000, request to reinstate amount not used last year
• Warsaw Housing Authority — $30,000
• KABS — $19,055 plus $10,000 for bus replacement, up $555
• Kosciusko Community Senior Services — $20,000, up $5,000
• Kosciusko County Historical Society — $1,000, new request
• Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation — $55,000 plus $5,000 Northeast Regional Fee
• WCDC — $25,000
• WCDC – Facade/Alley way Grant Program — $25,000 facade grants, $10,00 alley way grants

Other Business

During other business council members approved:

• Transfer of funds within the Northern TIF district budget to cover gaps in the city engineers PERF and FICA accounts, of $3,500
• Amended the city’s capital asset policy.
• Transfer money within Winona Interurban TIF Fund to cover the Stellar Communities consulting fees in the amount of $20,000.
• Approved an additional appropriation of $230,000 for the local option income tax special distribution fund.
• Approved a 10-year tax abatement on real property for the shell building at the Tech Park, with a three-year 100 percent abatement for West Hill Development LLC.
• Approved the continued tax abatement for West Hill Development LLC (Banner Medical). This is the first year of abatement.

During discussion regarding the tax abatements, Jeremy Skinner, city planner, noted it was not realized the building would receive tax assessment before occupancy. Personal property will be included in the abatement once the building is occupied. Dan Robinson, West Hill Development, stated the shell building was built to attract new business. “It is doing that, unfortunately not to that building. It’s an expensive magnet at this point for us.”

Robinson stated there have been companies looking at the building, but found the building not long enough for production lines and he has been asked for quotes on a new building. But he has not heard back. He stated three local companies have also looked at the building, two existing companies and one a new start-up. “It’s doing its job in a backward way. So far it is helping get people to come out and look at Warsaw who wouldn’t otherwise.”

Chad Zartman was again present inquiring about the tagging of trash containers being left along the streets beyond the 24-hour allotted time in the ordinance. He stated Sunday he counted 87 cans still out on the main streets. It was noted the tags are at the printer and will be utilized in the near future. The goal is to find out why cans are not being brought in and find a solution.