Roger Moynahan's pitch to secure funding for an enhanced economic development system, namely a full-time director and staff, through Kosciusko Development Inc. was thrown back by the county council Thursday.

"It's up to the county commissioners," said Harold Jones, council president. "We're not going to make a motion that the commissioners take a stance. We've done that before and gotten our hand slapped."

Moynahan presented a Columbus newspaper article about Kosciusko County, "the state's economic development flagship," and an Indiana Economic Development Corp. graphic showing five expansion-retention projects, and the attraction of four new county businesses.

KDI had a hand in these developments.

Moynahan, the outgoing KDI chairman, has approached the council and commissioners repeatedly, for more than a year, to secure additional funding.

KDI is asking for an allocation of $100,000 per year for four years. The county has approved $33,250 and asked to hear more about what is expected of a full-time director and staff.

Private sector donations and grants round out the organization's funding.

"Economic development is good in our county and it could be better," Moynahan said. "Our plan and budget are in place. We have a candidate search committee ready. We need a commitment to have the funding for more than one year."

Councilman Bob Sanders said he didn't give a prospective employee a commitment to work more than a year.

"You're funding a position," Moynahan said.

"I'm a novice at how government works, but this seems to be moving slower than it should. Someone needs to move forward, say it's a good idea or not."

Councilman John Kinsey said he would like to know who the next director might be.

Moynahan said he didn't know because a search hadn't been conducted.

Joy McCarthy-Sessing, the Kosciusko County-Warsaw Chamber of Commerce director, is president of KDI. She has routinely answered economic development questions poised by interested businesses. Some projects have required her full-time attention.

Kim Nance is a part-time economic development coordinator.

Moynahan said KDI is a not-for-profit entity, not subject to Indiana's open door laws, although the directors have always acted very openly.

"We're asking for accountability," Sanders said.

"You've had our budget, our job descriptions. We've given you a list of qualifications, a plan of action and a plan of reportability. If a person isn't doing the job, they won't be kept," Moynahan said.

"Every time we come, you say you want more information, more detail, and we've provided it."

Jones said the funding decision lies with the commissioners.

Commissioner Avis Gunter was present during the meeting and did not comment.

The commissioners received an updated job description, a list of responsibilities and an action plan from KDI Dec. 13.

Commissioner Ron Truex is a member of the KDI executive board. Sanders represents the county council on the KDI board.

The board also:

• Heard from County Administrator Ron Robinson that construction crews were finishing infrastructure improvements; that the light fixture ordered for the old courtroom should arrive in the next couple of weeks and new carpeting should be installed in the next two weeks, also.

• Reappointed Joy McCarthy-Sessing and Jon Sroufe to the Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitor's Commission.

• Approved a full-time housekeeping position as requested by Robinson. He said the housekeeping department has gotten along with several part-time employees for many years.

"Now it's swinging back the other way," he said. "We've lost three part-timers to full-time jobs."

One part-time employee will stay if a full-time position is available.

• Signed the annual sheriff's contract with Aaron Rovenstine for $88,000. The contract is a specific agreement between the county and the standing sheriff.

• Also approved a request, presented by Robinson, to hire a level one- and two-certified commercial-industrial assessor at the six-year level.

• Approved several transfers.

- As requested by the county highway department a total of $35,000 to cover overtime pay from the truck driver payroll account.

- As requested by Title IV D, $400, from the caseworker account to assistant investigator to pay for a "lump sum cash out" of an employee who left county employment."

- As requested by the sheriff's department, a total of $2,980 from one payroll account to another to pay an officer at a higher rank who was being paid out of a salary account for a lesser-ranked officer.

- As requested by the auditor's office, $3,000 from the part-time to the overtime account, eliminating the balance of compensatory time accrued in 2005.

• Heard from Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell that the state has not sent the 1782 notice which would approve the county's budget for 2006.

County council members are John Kinsey, Harold Jones, Charlene Knispel, Tom Anglin, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bob Sanders and Brad Tandy. [[In-content Ad]]