From left are Town Attorney Jay Rigdon, Council Member Cory Ellinger, Council Member Kevin Smith II, Council Member Keith Claassen and Clerk-Treasurer Patti Cook. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Shepherd.

ETNA GREEN — The Etna Green Town Council approved a fee-for-service agreement with the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation during its monthly meeting tonight.

KEDCo Executive Director Alan Tio was present at the meeting and explained the corporation’s plans for business development and financial support to council members.

“What we’re looking for is for all the towns to come in at a similar level financially to what the city of Warsaw and Kosciusko County do to support KEDCo,” said Tio. “Eighty percent of our budget right now is just the city and county. We’re looking for support so that we can do more throughout the county and the fee-for-service agreement is something that KEDCo needs in place for the State Board of Accounts. I can’t sustain what KEDCo is doing unless we have investment from everyone.”

Tio said each city and town is being asked to contribute approximately six percent of their E.D.I.T., or Economic Development Income Tax, funds to KEDCo.

“The town of Etna Green receives about $50,000 a year in E.D.I.T. dollars,” said Tio. “I’m asking you to invest $3,000 of that in KEDCo. The city of Warsaw has 15,000 people, but most of the county, about sixty percent, lives outside of that.”

The council voted to approve the fee-for-service agreement with KEDCo.

In regards to upcoming October events, Etna Green’s trick-or-treat hours are from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. The Etna Green Fire Department’s next fish and chicken fry is from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Heritage Park. During the fish fry, the Etna Green Lions Club will do a hayride at 6:30 p.m.

The council’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12.