Sheriff, Judge Seeking Grant Money OK From Commissioners
WARSAW — At the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday, March 3, Sheriff Kyle Dukes received approval to apply for a DNR grant in the amount of $15,000.
“This grant is used for the sheriff’s office marine patrol — Lake Wawasee, Lake Syracuse and Tippy Lake,” Dukes said. “Right now we currently have 15 officers who perform these duties.”
Dukes said the $15,000 would go toward maintenance on watercraft, fuel and salaries.
“With a county holding 300 natural lakes in it, it’s good to be prepared,” said Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley.
Dukes then provided commissioners with an update regarding K-9 deputies. Deputy Craig Summers has graduated from K-9 school, Dukes said, and at the end of March, Deputy Kyle Denton will be sent to K-9 school.
“So by this summer we’ll have three K-9 deputy sheriffs at the sheriff’s office,” Dukes said.
“Is it possible the dog could pass and the deputy doesn’t?” asked Commissioner President Brad Jackson.
“It is, absolutely it is,” Dukes replied amidst laughter from those in attendance. “The pressure was on, but everybody graduated.”
Dukes informed commissioners that the sheriff’s office is currently hiring for the position of deputy. The reality, Dukes said, is that multiple police departments in Kosciusko County are hiring at the present time.
“We’re all hiring,” Dukes said. “And the pool within our county is very slim.”
The sheriff’s office went with a new approach in advertising for the position and used websites for law enforcement openings, which brought in 40 applications.
Dukes also shared that a new round of Jail Chemical Addiction Program classes has started. This is week two for the women’s classes, and in two weeks the men’s classes will start, meaning that both classes will be running at the same time.
“We’ve never done that before,” Dukes said. “I’m excited to take that next step.”
Kosciusko County Community Corrections Executive Director Barry Andrew attended the meeting on behalf of Judge Michael Reed.
Andrew told commissioners that Reed applied for a Justice Partner Addictions Response grant through the Supreme Court in 2019 in the amount of $60,000 and was awarded the grant.
The grant needs to be applied for again this year, Andrew said, and is due March 16. Andrew requested permission for Reed to apply for the grant, which would be for another $60,000.
Andrew said “$32,000 and change” was spent on travel for drug court and the remainder of the money is being used for “payer of last resort” to help people pay for treatment.
County Auditor Michelle Puckett said she does not currently have the written grant application available. She said Reed’s request will need to go in front of County Council and said that if commissioners tentatively approve the request today, she will have the final paperwork ready to present at the County Council meeting March 12.
Commissioners approved the request.
County Administrator Marsha McSherry presented quotes related to the replacement of glass for jail windows. A quote from Crowder Detention Inc., Indianapolis, in the amount of $15,185, was the lowest bid and was approved by commissioners.
Commissioners approved a letter of support for the Center Lake Commons Project. Commissioner Cary Groninger said the commons project is the multi-use building at the end of Buffalo Street and that the letter shows the support of commissioners for that development.
McSherry also presented two estimates for remodeling of the HR and administrator’s office to split the departments. The lower of the two estimates, from Robinson Construction, Warsaw, in the amount of $30,350, was accepted.
Commissioners approved the purchase of a chiller at the justice building. The estimate is for $238,452 from Core Mechanical, Atwood.
“All four compressors have gone out within the past year,” Groninger pointed out. “We started out replacing compressors, but after looking at the cost of replacing compressors versus the whole chillier, long term, we thought it was a better deal to replace the complete chiller rather than just the compressor. We’re trying to actually fix that infrastructure.”
County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty’s recommendations for accepting a bid in the amount of $206,271 from Michiana Truck Center, South Bend, and a bid for $145,963 from WA Jones, Columbia City, were approved.
Following this, Moriarty expressed gratitude for the support he has received from various county departments following the recent loss of his father.
“It made me very proud to work for the county highway and just the county in general,” Moriarty said. “The outreach and support I got from each department was duly noted and it just meant a lot to me as an individual to work for such a nice county and a thoughtful county.”
In other news:
- Commissioners approved Puckett’s request for re-establishment of a cumulative capital development ordinance.
- The next regular meeting will be at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 17.