For a base amount of $19.351 million, the Justice Building expansion construction contract was awarded Tuesday by the Kosciusko County Commissioners to Weigand Construction Co., Fort Wayne.

Tom Thomas, of Schenkel Schultz, architects for the project, presented the recommendation to the commissioners.

"We're very, very happy with the bids," Thomas said. He said they anticipated the bids would be over budget because of the materials that will be used and because of how busy construction companies are anticipated to be this year. However, the bids came in 10 percent under budget and Thomas said he was happy with the quality of the contractors who bid on the project.

"It's probably the best we could ever expect," he said.

Other bids, which were opened last week, included Hagerman Construction Corp., Fort Wayne, base amount of $19.61 million; James S. Jackson Co., Bluffton, base amount of $20.48 million; and Gibson Lewis LLC, Mishawaka, base amount of $20.6 million.

The commissioners approved allowing commissioner Eddie Creighton to sign for any alternates in the project.

In another matter, Yvonne Beyer told the commissioners she received a letter from the Kosciusko County Health Department that she was responsible for the trash clean-up along CR 450E, near her home. Someone dumped a couch, air conditioner and bottles along the road. If she does not comply, the letter stated, she can be charged up to $200.

She told the commissioners she had it cleaned up, but asked that something be done to alleviate similar problems caused by people who dump alongside roads.

Commissioner Avis Gunter said dumping is a problem and several local public officials are meeting to discuss how to handle such situations.

Mike Miner, attorney for the commissioners and Beyer's son, stepped aside as county attorney for a moment and told the commissioners, "The problem from my mother's standpoint is there's something inherently wrong when someone dumps on you and then the government steps in and says it's your problem."

Creighton said it is unfair but wondered if trash dumping alongside the road was a health department concern.

It may be better if, Miner said, instead of a "cold, official letter," if something more personable could be done. He also questioned if wood/fabric laying on the side of the road is a health hazard, though he acknowledged the trash shouldn't be dumped. He said he understood why the health department took the action.

Commissioner President Brad Jackson said he will talk to county health department administrator Bob Weaver on what can be done about the problem and about contacting property owners whose land is dumped on.

In other business:

• Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson said Sprint is requesting to detour traffic on Ind. 13 for one day to move utility lines in Syracuse. The exact date will be coordinated with the highway department. The commissioners approved.

• Ladson requested a stop sign at the intersection of CR 900W and CR 200S be repealed. There are two stop signs at the intersection currently. The request was approved.

• An ordinance to allow another stop sign at the intersection of CR 450N and CR 175E was approved. The sign will be placed on the left hand side as a vehicle approaches CR 450N.

• The commissioners approved continuing a road maintenance agreement with the town of Winona Lake for three years.

• Three rezoning requests were heard by the commissioners.

Bart Conley's petition to rezone 20 acres from an agricultural to an agricultural II district was denied. The property is on the north side of CR 350S and 1,840 feet east of CR 500E in Washington Township. The Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission recommended unanimously for the commissioners to deny.

Approval was unanimously given for Marjorie J. Shipley's petition to rezone ground from an agricultural to a residential district. The property is on the east side of Packerton Road and south of Pierceton Road in Wayne Township. The plan commission recommended approval.

Despite the plan commission's recommendation not to approve a petition by C. Alan and Sandra Rovenstine and Ken and Brenda Collins for rezoning, the commissioners unanimously approved the rezoning.

The petition was for approximately 18.72 acres to be rezoned from an agricultural district to an industrial II district. The property is on the south side of U.S. 30 and north of Old Road 30 in Etna Township. The site will be used for storage and light manufacturing of roofing materials.

In February, when the petition was before the plan commission, county administrator Ron Robinson remonstrated against the petition. Robinson lives approximately one-half mile from the property. His biggest concern was that if the petition is approved, then another industry could build in the area.

Before the petition was brought before the commissioners, the petitioners continued it.

Tuesday, Robinson did not remonstrate and attorney Richard Helm, representing Collins and Rovenstine, said his clients have worked the issues out with the remonstrator.

The plan commission was also concerned with the soil types of the property. Helm showed the commissioners a soil map which showed much of the area's soil was suited for development.

County commissioners are Eddie Creighton, Brad Jackson and Avis Gunter. [[In-content Ad]]