Grant money for two Kosciusko County road repaving projects was acknowledged by the county commissioners Tuesday morning, allowing the board to begin the bidding process for the projects.

The county will get $1 million in state Community Crossings grant money for the two projects.

One project will repave about 6½ miles of CR 800W from U.S. 30 to the flashing light where the road intersects with CR 900N and Ind. 19. The state highway occupies the west and north legs of the intersection. The other project calls for CR 1000W to be repaved from CR 700S near Sevastopol to CR 1000S in the center of Beaver Dam, a total of around 3½ miles.

The commissioners then passed a motion to start the bidding process. Sealed bids are due by 9 a.m. May 14. Bids will be opened at 9:15 that morning during the commissioners’ meeting. Bidders should contact County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden for more information.

Jackie Franks, health and human services educator with the county extension office, gave the board an update on the county employee wellness program. She said the Get WalkIN program implemented was received exceptionally well, with county employees recording more than 29 million steps during the course of the program.

“I’ve never had such an invested group of people,” Franks said.

Other programs during the first quarter of 2019 included “Dining with Diabetes,” a four-session, eight-hour program to train patients and caregivers on better eating habits. Franks reported 63% of participants say they now cook more at home, 93% report eating smaller portions, and 79% said they are using recipes provided in the program.

Other classes for county employees included “Re-Think Your Drink,”?“Brain and Social Connections” and?“Eating Healthy When Eating Out.” Programs for the spring and early summer include classes on reading food labels, the benefits of massage for self-care, skin care and basic nutrition.

Emergency Management Director Ed Rock told the press sandbag materials are available at the county highway building, 2936 E. Old US 30, Warsaw. People will need to bring their own shovels and labor.

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved a list of highway department surplus equipment to be auctioned off.

• Donated dog cages from the former Sasso Veterinary Clinic to the Animal Welfare League. The county is remodeling the building to become the coroner’s office.

• Accepted a bid of $41,655.51 from Clint Davis Construction for remodeling work for the new coroner’s office.

• Agreed to a new contract with Pictometery for aerial photography.

• Entered into an agreement with Anderson Greenhouse, with a bid of $64,900, for new landscaping on the southeast corner of the courthouse square.

The county commissioners will next meet at 9 a.m. April 16.