On behalf of Area Plan Director Matt Sandy - who was at a county Board of Zoning Appeals meeting Tuesday - County Auditor Alyssa Schmucker presented a legal services agreement to the county commissioners with Turner Valentine LLC for $220 per hour.
She also presented legal service agreements with Turner Valentine LLC for the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission ($2,000 retainer fee and $220 hourly) and for the auditor’s office ($1,000 retainer fee and $220 hourly).
All contracts with Turner Valentine LLC were unanimously approved.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith and Chief Deputy Chris McKeand presented a contract addendum, an agreement and a grant application to the commissioners.
The first item presented by McKeand was an addendum to the KCSO’s contract with Quality Correctional Care (QCC) for medical care for inmates in the county jail. The contract, which the county already approved and signed, was effective Jan. 1 for $563,418.86 for 2025.
On the addendum, McKeand said, “We had sent the appropriate documents, along with the contract for signature, and we received this in return. We’re just looking for approval to sign.”
County attorney Ed Ormsby said the addendum was just the county’s standard terms.
Commissioner Cary Groninger asked if it was for QCC increasing their services at the jail, and McKeand said it was. QCC will provide medical coverage in the jail 24/7 all year. Previously, QCC only provided medical coverage 16 hours a day.
Commissioner Bob Conley made the motion to approve the addendum, Commissioner Sue Ann Mitchell seconded it and it passed 3-0.
McKeand then presented an agreement with Fellowship Missions for a peer recovery coach for one year of service 40 hours a week at $45,000 yearly.
“It mirrors the Bowen Center contract that we entered just before the end of the year last year,” he said.
The funds come from the national opioid settlement money the county received.
The commissioners approved the agreement.
Finally, Smith requested permission to apply for a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
“That’s what allows us to be able to service the three lakes - Syracuse, Wawasee and Tippecanoe. It’s a partnership we’ve had for many years now. In a lot of ways, it’s just a formality of asking for permission to apply for said grant, and then we’ll come back once we hear from them,” he said.
The commissioners approved the grant application unanimously.
Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty told the commissioners that recently his department received the Community Crossings Matching Grant 2024-2 from the state.
“These are for paving of Packerton Road, Armstrong, the C19s and 700 South,” he said.
He asked the commissioners for permission to advertise for the contract on Jan. 22 and 29. Bids will be opened Feb. 11, and the contract will be awarded Feb. 25.
The commissioners approved.
County Administrator Marsha McSherry presented the commissioners with an update on the Justice Building renovation project.
“Monday, we complete phase 7, which included the clerk’s office and community corrections and a couple other offices in that area. Next Tuesday, we’ll start phase 8, which will include probation,” she said.
In other business:
• Kara Shively, Kosciusko County Probation Department, requested and received permission to apply for fiscal year 2026 JDAI (Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative) grant. The $60,000 grant includes $15,000 for implementation and $45,000 for juvenile programming.
She said Judge Karin McGrath went before the county council on Jan. 9 and received approval to apply for the grant. It is an advance grant.
• Systems Administrator Eric Sorensen requested and received approval for the renewal of Intrasect Watchguard for three years for $21,654. After he said the funds were budgeted, the commissioners approved his request.
He also introduced Garrit Winans, his department’s newest hire and technology assistant. Sorensen said Winans has been with them for about two weeks now “and is doing great.”
• Groninger was elected president of the board for 2025 with Conley serving as vice president.
The next commissioners meeting is at 9 a.m. Jan. 28 in the old courtroom of the county courthouse.