From left, Kosciusko Commissioner President Brad Jackson and Commissioner Cary Groninger. InkFreeNews photo by Lasca Randels.

WARSAW —  If Barry Andrew wants to be the new director of Community Corrections, it appears to be his choice.

Kosciusko County commissioners approved Barry Andrew as executive director of Community Corrections at the commissioners meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14, providing Andrew accepts the position.

The Community Corrections Advisory Board formally on Monday offered Andrew the position at a public meeting, pending approval by the commissioners. 

“I don’t know if Barry has accepted at this point or not, but that appointment is subject to the commissioners’ approval,” Attorney Chad Miner told commissioners. 

“So we could approve it now so that if Barry accepts it they can move forward?” Commissioner President Brad Jackson asked.

Miner responded in the affirmative. A motion was made and passed, approving Andrew for the appointment. 

Andrew is serving as interim director after Anna Bailey quit in November. Bailey and two others are facing criminal charges over irregularities involving the department’s electronic monitoring system.

In other matters, appointments were made by commissioners regarding the Tippy-Chapman Regional Sewer District board. The Tippy-Chapman Regional Sewer District order has been adopted by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and officials hope to fill most of the seven seats on the district board by the end of this month.

Commissioners appointed Chapman Lake resident Ed Ormsby and Tippecanoe Lake resident Bob Weaver to the board. 

Courtney Jenkins, Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program coordinator, received permission to apply for a grant through the Kosciusko K21 Health Foundation in the amount of $100,000.

The grant funding would allow the jail to run both male and female JCAP programs simultaneously. At the present time, there is only enough funding to run one program at a time. 

Money from the grant would also be used to establish a fund that could be used to assist in covering treatment costs for JCAP graduates during times when there is a gap in insurance coverage. 

Kosciusko County Chief Deputy Shane Bucher requested approval to purchase patrol vehicles for the sheriff’s office, including at least two SUVs and a police car. Bucher said he obtained quotes from five different dealerships, three of which were in Kosciusko County. 

According to Bucher, Dodge has a pursuit-rated Charger and of the quotes received for that model, John Jones Auto Group submitted the lowest bid for $27,228.

“In reference to the SUV pursuit vehicles, Rice Ford came in with the lowest and their bid was for $34,888.85 for the hybrid, police-rated, sports utility vehicle,” Bucher said.

Bucher also requested approval from commissioners to replace an undercover drug unit vehicle that was wrecked. Bucher requested permission to allocate money for the purchase from the motor vehicle fund, stating that he will then go to county council to ask that they reimburse the account with the insurance check.

The lowest bid came from Thomas Dodge Chrysler in Highland, Bucher said, in the amount of $26,938. 

Commissioners approved Bucher’s requests. 

County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty presented three items to commissioners for approval. The first was a letter of understanding between INDOT and the county related to an unofficial detour route for SR 13, which will be closed in two separate phases in the spring of 2020.

Moriarty said the detour route for the first phase would be CR 600S to CR 400E, south down to SR 14. The second phase, a structure replacement, involves SR 13 being closed from Ryerson Road to CR 650S. The unofficial detour route will be Ryerson Road east to CR 750E, then east on CR 750E down to CR 500S, west to CR 700E, then down to CR 650S, then back to SR 13.

The second request was a letter stating that Moriarty will be the administrator for ITAP account, which would allow Moriarty to access records related to federal fund paperwork. 

Moriarty also requested permission for four county highway employees to attend training in Illinois. The training relates to chip seal processes and equipment.

“The training is free for our highway guys,” Moriarty said. “Promoting safety and trying to stay on top of things is pretty important to me. I think this would be a good opportunity to continue our education.”

Commissioners approved all three of Moriarty’s requests.

Other News:

• Syracuse resident Stephen Conrad was recognized as Veteran of the Month.
• County Prosecutor Dan Hampton received permission to apply for three grants related to the start-up of a child advocacy center. 
• An inter-local agreement with Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission was approved. 
• An agreement in the amount of $35,000 with BakerTilly was approved in order for the county to receive an analysis of county finances. 
• Kosciusko County Drug Court Case Manager Maggie Rock-Brauer received permission to apply for a grant to expand treatment services for drug court program participants.  
• Matt Sandy received approval for a community rating system annual re-certification. Sandy said the certification will allow residents with flood insurance to benefit from a discount. 
• Brad Jackson will serve as the commissioner president for 2020. Bob Conley will serve as vice-president. 
• The next regular meeting will be at 9 a.m. Jan. 21.