This color coded map shows the five districts of the newly formed conservancy.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Commissioners approved the appointment of five people to the newly formed Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy Board at its Tuesday, Dec. 22, meeting. Named to the board are John Earnest, Jim Silcox, Bill Pipp, David Johnston and Caroline Anderson.

Earnest will serve District 1, which covers Syracuse Lake and the Main Channel area of Lake Wawasee. Silcox will represent District 2 that encompasses the west and south sides of Conklin Bay to the area around the 8830 block of East Hatchery Road.

District 3 will be represented by Bill Pipp. This area goes from approximately the 8830 block of East Hatchery Road to approximately Crow Road and includes East Wawasee Drive and Biscayne Lane areas. David Johnston will represent District 4, which is the Enchanted Hills area and Caroline Anderson will represent District 5 that includes the remainder of the areas of Lake Wawasee north and west of Crow Road, including Eli Lilly Road to the area of Wawasee Boat Company.

The oath of office was administered to the five board members — three of whom were present in person and two via Facetime.

Principles of the conservancy were commended by the commissioners on how the process was handled and voiced positivity for the establishment of the conservancy. Commissioners additionally noted the good the conservancy will do for the lakes, watershed and community.

A meeting with County Auditor Michele Puckett will be held in early January to work on details in preparation for taxing shareholders in the conservancy districts.

Additionally, Pipp said the board will be holding its first meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at the WACF Educational Center, SR 13, Syracuse, with plans to meet the fourth week of the first month of each quarter. Details are being worked out to have the conservancy’s office at the WACF Educational Center.

He noted this will keep costs low so all the money received from taxes will go toward both the actual maintenance of the water control structure and dike and to the cumulative fund for future structure replacements.