The Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission discussed two T.I.F. districts at its meeting Thursday, Sept. 11. Shown from left are Dan Brown, Dan Thystrup, Rachael Rhoades, and President Doug Hanes. InkFreeNews photo by Phoebe Muthart.

By Phoebe Muthart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — Two Tax Increment Finance Districts were discussed at the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission meeting Thursday, Sept. 11.

Amy Roe, Kosciusko County H.E.L.P. Coordinator, presented a request for a T.I.F. area for Claypool’s wastewater and sewer project.

The town is currently in violation and is building a new treatment plant. The new plant costs $4.5 million. Claypool has received $2.3 million in grant funding.

The Louis Dreyfus plant is the biggest user. It uses 60,000 gallons per month.

Chris Harris of Commonwealth Engineers said the project is very important.

“IDEM suggested the improvements for more capacity,” he said. “It is close now (to capacity).”

The new plant, he said, will double capacity and will meet the demand for new housing and potential population growth.

“There’s 23 acres that can be used for potential housing,” Harris said. “So, it’s our priority.”

He noted the elementary school’s population has dwindled. Brad Jonson agreed. He is the school board’s non-voting member on the commission. He said school enrollment has declined by 20 to 30 students per year. There’s 220 students now.

Roe said Claypool is also doing a long- range strategic plan, applauding Don Miller, who is on the town council, for the work he has done so far.

Overall, all three agreed lower rates are needed for the 185 customers. The current rate is about $100 per month now.

The board approved $250,000 for the project and T.I.F. area.

Frank Levinson, of FaB Labs Inc., requested a T.I.F. area for property on SR 15 in Leesburg. Owens Fresh Meat Market is located on the property, as are other tenants.

He said significant improvements have been made on the property, including sewer and water work.

He said about $3.2 million has been spent to make the upgrades to the 11-acre property. Other upgrades include parking lot improvements, traffic management and better access to SR 15.

“We did a traffic study, too,” he said.

There are five companies onsite with 28 jobs. The tax contribution is about $46,000, Levinson said. If Owens expands, the number of jobs could go up, he added.

He said he wants to attract and retain more business. He is looking at some long-term expansion plans with $1.5 million in site improvements.

His proposal is $276,000, which was granted by the board, pending more information, such as Indiana REDI funding from the state, which is money used for capital improvements projects.

In other news, the board heard from Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent Steve Moriarty, who gave T.I.F. project updates.

Approval of claims (payment) for the T.I.F. were:

• Old US 30 West, Ferguson Waterworks, $5,770; and Warsaw Wholesale Suppliers, $9,548.

• Co-op T.I.F., Brooks Construction, $214,272.80.

• Maple Leaf T.I.F., Brooks Construction, $107,565.84; and Phend and Brown, Inc., $114,321.53.

Moriarty said some work on old US 30 West is starting Monday, Sept. 15, near the new Slate Auto building.

The Mentone Co-op paving project will take place on a section between SR 25 and CR 500 South. He said the cost was “under-priced and lower than what we thought it would be” due, in part, to asphalt prices.

The paving project near Maple Leaf was under budget as well, he said. He said the road lines still need to be done with epoxy, which lasts longer. The shoulder work is complete.

The next meeting date is at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13.

All public meetings are broadcast live on the Kosciusko County YouTube channel. To access the meeting broadcasts, visit kosciusko.in.gov.