KOSCIUSKO — Representatives from area nonprofit organizations attended the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, June 12, to give budget presentations. 

Greg Steffe and Jerry Frush appeared on behalf of the Kosciusko Historical Society. Sally Hogan, former museum director, has moved into a new position with the organization. With Hogan’s transfer, the museum director position will now be shared by Steffe and Evelyn Rake. Frush reported over 2,100 visitors to the museum in 2017. The Historical Society is requesting a budget increase of $1,000 for utility increases.

Elizabeth Zorn, summer intern at the Kosciusko Extension office, represented Kosciusko County 4-H.

“Our 4-H program has expanded by 8 percent this year with 789 youth and 259 volunteers,” said Zorn. She stated that over the past year, 4-H has offered hands-on STEM lessons, career preparation for kids and a fire education project in conjunction with Warsaw-Wayne Fire Department.

Randy Hall, CEO of Cardinal Services Inc. of Indiana, gave information regarding three programs provided by Cardinal Services: Head Start, Career Links and Kosciusko Area Bus Service.

“We tend to think of Head Start as helping kids learn their A, B, C’s and 1, 2, 3’s, but it’s much more comprehensive than that. We’re working with families to make sure they have a primary doctor and dentist, making sure immunizations are in place and if there are any factors in the family that might prevent that household from being stable, we’re helping the family to overcome those challenges,” said Hall.

Glenn Hall, executive director of Kosciusko Home Care & Hospice, presented an annual operating grant request. 

“Our goal is to help people remain in their home as long as possible,” Hall stated. “In 2017, our homemakers, aides and nurses made over 9,000 visits in Kosciusko County and drove over 39,500 miles.” 

Hall said they are anticipating additional technology requirements in January of 2019 and are looking for additional ways to fund their operations.

Beaman Home Executive Director Tracie Hodson said their facility is running at full capacity. 

“We tripled the capacity from our original building,” said Hodson. 

According to Hodson, the Beaman Home served 196 people in their shelter during 2017, which was more than double the number of people they served in 2016. The Beaman Home offers life skills training, counseling, a children’s program, rental assistance and an outreach program. 

David Neff, executive director of Kosciusko County Senior Services, said the three main services offered by KCSS are transportation, home delivery meals and the activity center. 

“We do about 100 home delivery meals a day, five days a week,” said Neff.

Katey Zeman, newly appointed executive director of the Animal Welfare League, made two requests. In addition to programming support, Zeman requested a one time donation of $500,000 for their building campaign fund

“In the last five years alone we have assisted nearly 10,000 dogs and cats in Kosciusko County,” said Zeman. “We are at the point where our facilities can no longer handle the needs of Kosciusko County.”

Matt Meersman, director of the St. Joseph River Basin Commission, spoke of education and events regarding water quality and flow monitoring. 

“We try to be there as a regional resource for water issues throughout the basin,” said Meersman. 

Otis R. Bowen Center CEO Kurt Carlson said that last year the Bowen Center provided approximately 8,000 hours of mental health services per month. 

“This year we are averaging about 9,000 hours of mental health services per month,” said Carlson. “Bowen Center continues to grow, thrive and do well.”

KABS Transportation General Manager Amanda Landis submitted a 2019 operating grant application as well as a capital request for two new buses to replace buses that are approximately eight years old. This was approved.

Kosciusko County Emergency Management Director Ed Rock requested permission to apply for five grants. Rock described the first three grants as the Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grant for $30,000; the EMPG Salary grant, which is used every year to reimburse the county for 50 percent of the wage of the emergency management director and up to two other positions; and the EMPT Competitive for $30,000 for security and public education.

Rock explained that the State Homeland Security Program grant, which can be approved for up to $100,000 if the Office of Emergency Management collaborates with law enforcement. 

“The sheriff and I met yesterday,” said Rock. “We have a project in mind to put an alert system through a large number of the schools in the county.” 

The last grant Rock requested permission to apply for is a potential grant in the amount of $30,000 for infrared-capable drones. 

“That would be one that if we have a lost child, especially at night – a regular drone or searching through a field doesn’t help,” Rock stated “If you have infrared capabilities, it’s going to make the job a lot quicker and the results probably a lot better.” Commissioners gave approval for Rock to proceed with applying for all five grants. 

County Attorney Chad Miner and County Administrator Marsha McSherry presented a request related to the security system for the Kosciusko Justice Building. 

“I think there’s a concern at this point that, due to the critical nature of the system and the fact that it is getting older, a failure could occur,” said Miner. “I think Marsha would like to proceed under a special purchasing method to secure quotes.”

“The system is old enough that if anything breaks, some parts are no longer available so we could potentially be down for a period of time while a new system is being installed,” McSherry added.

Miner prepared a resolution to authorize McSherry to proceed under the special purchasing method. This was approved. 

Miner also provided an agreement to continue police monitoring of the county parking lot behind Mad Anthony Brewing Company and the Old Jail Museum. This was approved by commissioners. 

Ken Jones of Jones Petry Rafinski, Elkhart, gave a brief update regarding outreach meetings held with residents in the Chapman Lake area regarding a regional sewer district. 

“I perceived it to be very positive,” said Jones, adding that he had received good feedback via email following the meetings. Jones asked the commissioners to weigh in on the boundary of the regional sewer district. 

“I could give you some color-coded suggestions, which may assist you in making your decision,” Jones offered. Commissioners agreed this would be the best way to proceed.

The next meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 26.