Council Plans Economic Development Panel
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
County councilman Larry Teghtmeyer suggested the council set up a committee to study ways to approach economic development during Thursday's meeting.
In February, Kosciusko Development Inc. representatives asked for $100,000 per year for the next four years to draw businesses here.
Currently, the council gives KDI $35,000 per year. The organization usually comes close to matching that amount to operate. Teghtmeyer asked that a committee be formed to study the best approach to economic development.
"I think we need to do the research," Teghtmeyer said of either granting the money to KDI or another department. "I don't think we should sit back on our laurels."
The members agreed to have three council members, commissioner Ron Truex and county administrator Ron Robinson on the committee.
Councilwoman Charlene Knispel asked if the county's redevelopment commission wasn't set up to do such work, and was told that group had other responsibilities.
Departmental budgets for 2006 are due July 1, according to county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell. Grant funds, actual, possible and pending, are to be approved as part of budget reviews.
Tax distributions are due June 30, and Mitchell said her office is waiting for final figures from the treasurer's office. "If they don't get it done," she said of the treasurer's accounts, "we'll have no choice but to do a tax draw."
A public hearing was held while Warsaw Community Public Library director Ann Zydek described library upgrades. Zydek said the library's board of trustees will focus on computer systems and security improvements this year, which was approved by the council.
The library will request $290,000 for next year's projects, Zydek said.
The council also:
• Heard the county will get $300,000 in riverboat funds the next two years.
• Approved a $11,500 request for grants to local events as requested by Convention Recreation Visitors Commission treasurer Jan Carter. The money will be distributed to the Syracuse Historical Museum, $3,000; the Right to Life Music Festival, $1,500; the Warsaw Community Development Corp., $4,000; and the Pierceton Community Foundation, $3,000.
The council also approved Carter's $300 request for three security bonds for herself, commission controller Mitchell, and another, to be named, member. The commission's balance as of June 9 is $208,378.81.
Councilman Tom Anglin thanked Carter and the commissioners for their work.
• Approved a $5,000 request by judges Rex Reed and Duane Huffer to cover court-appointed attorneys costs carried over from last year.
• Heard an update on renovations by A. Hattersley and Son Construction. Robinson said repairs and renovations are on schedule.
Robinson said he was working with American Legion Post 49, Sons of Legion and the Rotary Club to replace the flagpole on the southwest corner of the courthouse. The organizations also would like to update the war memorial there that lists the names of county men killed in action.
"It's sad to say we need to move to the other side," Robinson said, because of men killed in the Iraq.
• Tabled requests to spend infraction deferral account funds. The money comes from traffic violation fees. In this program, first-time traffic violations are "deferred" when the driver pays a set fee. If there are no violations in the next six months, the driver's record is cleared.
The county collects more than $60,000 in fees and the funds are available to support local police departments.
Knispel asked why funds were earmarked for the Indiana State Police.
The council also tabled a request to cover a $2,410 shortfall in sheriff's deputy Craig Bale's payroll. Bale served as a homeland security officer and was paid a road sergeant's salary. The grant allowed for a road patrolman's position and Bale was paid at the higher wage. When Bale went to another position, another person was promoted to road sergeant. The council has not approved the promotion of another deputy.
County council members are: John Kinsey, Larry Teghtmeyer, Tom Anglin, Harold Jones and Charlene Knispel. Brad Tandy and Bob Sanders were absent. [[In-content Ad]]
County councilman Larry Teghtmeyer suggested the council set up a committee to study ways to approach economic development during Thursday's meeting.
In February, Kosciusko Development Inc. representatives asked for $100,000 per year for the next four years to draw businesses here.
Currently, the council gives KDI $35,000 per year. The organization usually comes close to matching that amount to operate. Teghtmeyer asked that a committee be formed to study the best approach to economic development.
"I think we need to do the research," Teghtmeyer said of either granting the money to KDI or another department. "I don't think we should sit back on our laurels."
The members agreed to have three council members, commissioner Ron Truex and county administrator Ron Robinson on the committee.
Councilwoman Charlene Knispel asked if the county's redevelopment commission wasn't set up to do such work, and was told that group had other responsibilities.
Departmental budgets for 2006 are due July 1, according to county auditor Sue Ann Mitchell. Grant funds, actual, possible and pending, are to be approved as part of budget reviews.
Tax distributions are due June 30, and Mitchell said her office is waiting for final figures from the treasurer's office. "If they don't get it done," she said of the treasurer's accounts, "we'll have no choice but to do a tax draw."
A public hearing was held while Warsaw Community Public Library director Ann Zydek described library upgrades. Zydek said the library's board of trustees will focus on computer systems and security improvements this year, which was approved by the council.
The library will request $290,000 for next year's projects, Zydek said.
The council also:
• Heard the county will get $300,000 in riverboat funds the next two years.
• Approved a $11,500 request for grants to local events as requested by Convention Recreation Visitors Commission treasurer Jan Carter. The money will be distributed to the Syracuse Historical Museum, $3,000; the Right to Life Music Festival, $1,500; the Warsaw Community Development Corp., $4,000; and the Pierceton Community Foundation, $3,000.
The council also approved Carter's $300 request for three security bonds for herself, commission controller Mitchell, and another, to be named, member. The commission's balance as of June 9 is $208,378.81.
Councilman Tom Anglin thanked Carter and the commissioners for their work.
• Approved a $5,000 request by judges Rex Reed and Duane Huffer to cover court-appointed attorneys costs carried over from last year.
• Heard an update on renovations by A. Hattersley and Son Construction. Robinson said repairs and renovations are on schedule.
Robinson said he was working with American Legion Post 49, Sons of Legion and the Rotary Club to replace the flagpole on the southwest corner of the courthouse. The organizations also would like to update the war memorial there that lists the names of county men killed in action.
"It's sad to say we need to move to the other side," Robinson said, because of men killed in the Iraq.
• Tabled requests to spend infraction deferral account funds. The money comes from traffic violation fees. In this program, first-time traffic violations are "deferred" when the driver pays a set fee. If there are no violations in the next six months, the driver's record is cleared.
The county collects more than $60,000 in fees and the funds are available to support local police departments.
Knispel asked why funds were earmarked for the Indiana State Police.
The council also tabled a request to cover a $2,410 shortfall in sheriff's deputy Craig Bale's payroll. Bale served as a homeland security officer and was paid a road sergeant's salary. The grant allowed for a road patrolman's position and Bale was paid at the higher wage. When Bale went to another position, another person was promoted to road sergeant. The council has not approved the promotion of another deputy.
County council members are: John Kinsey, Larry Teghtmeyer, Tom Anglin, Harold Jones and Charlene Knispel. Brad Tandy and Bob Sanders were absent. [[In-content Ad]]