Newly appointed council member Kim Cates was welcomed at the Kosciusko County Council meeting held Thursday, June 8.

KOSCIUSKO — The Kosciusko County Council welcomed new council member Kim Cates at a meeting held Thursday, June 8.

Cates was chosen at a caucus held Wednesday, June 7, to complete the term of recently deceased council member Bob Sanders.

Republican County Chairman Mike Ragan spoke at the beginning of the meeting noting Cates’ win at the caucus.

“Kosciusko County unfortunately had to do a task that we never like to do and that’s to replace a member that has passed on. Bob Sanders served this board well for many years and his is going to be missed. Last night we had seven formidable candidates, all of which would have probably served us very well. But after six votes, we wisely chose Kim Cates,” said Republican County Chairman Mike Ragan.

Cates said she was, “Ready to work hard and ready to get to work.”

The council nominated individuals to fill the remaining terms for president and vice president of the council. The council nominated vice-president Jon Garber compete Sanders’ term as president until elections are held. Council member Ernie Wiggins was nominated for vice president. Both members accepted the nominations.

“I’m glad to step into the presidency… [Bob] was a good member and I learned a lot from him,” Garber stated as he accepted the nomination.

Other News

• A motion was made and unanimously approved to approve the tax abatements for Biomet Inc. and Subsidiaries, Louis Dreyful, Maple Leaf, Al and J Enterprise, Custom Engineered Wheels, Cass Holdings, NG Instruments, Alpha Manufacturing and Design and Garden Spot, Torrent Engineering and Equipment and Texmo Castings.
• The Council unanimously approved the appointment of Ben Rice to complete a four-year term on the Warsaw Community Library Board of Trustees.
• The Council unanimously approved additional appropriations for the Louis Dreyful TIF district, Kosciusko County Emergency Planning and the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission.