Because of minor glitches in the new 911 communication center equipment in the Justice Building, the Kosciusko County commissioners agreed Tuesday to purchase new equipment.

County Administrator Ron Robinson told the commissioners the biggest problem is with the IDEX system. IDEX is the information system in which police data is kept nationwide for outstanding warrants, criminal information, license plate numbers, driver license numbers and other pertinent information. The current system is 15 to 16 years old and was purchased for $18,000. A new system will be bought from Netcom for approximately $10,298.

The 17-year-old phone system also will be replaced. Robinson requested $25,000, though the system is expected to cost only $21,000. The extra $4,000 would cover any unforeseen costs. The money will come from the approximate $57,000 remaining balance of the construction costs of the dispatch center, which cost less than expected.

Robinson said the new phone system can continue to grow with the county.

The commissioners approved closing the courthouse and Justice Building to the public at noon Dec. 31. County employees will continue to work to prepare for the new year. The county clerk's office will be closed the entire day because the state will be off-line after Dec. 30. Court cases scheduled for Dec. 31 will still be on schedule.

The commissioners approved Robinson's request to form a dispatch center board.

Robinson said that because the county and Warsaw are working to combine the two dispatch centers, the board will be necessary. Also, effective 2001, he said, the dispatch center will have its own budget, which will be paid for through 911 funds. The five-member board will include a county commissioner, the sheriff, the Warsaw chief of police, the Warsaw mayor and an at-large position.

"It's not something that's going to happen overnight, but we've each taken steps to get to that point," Robinson said.

In other county commissioner business:

• Brad Jackson will be the county commissioners' chairman for 2000 and Eddie Creighton will serve as vice chairman. Jackson also will be the commissioners' representative on the Kosciusko County Drainage Board.

• Jon Roberts, Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District, invited the commissioners to a land use seminar Jan. 6 at the Ramada Hotel.

• The commissioners approved the appointment of Charles Ker to serve on the property tax board of appeals. Other appointments approved include: Gordon Vanator, Alcoholic Beverage Commission; Mike Miner, county commissioners' attorney; Tom Everett, veterans' officer; Ellsworth Everest, emergency management; Eddie Creighton, Kosciusko Development Inc.; Bob Knudsen, Arrowhead; Jon Roberts, St. Joseph River Basin; Jack Kelley, City of Warsaw common wage committee.

• Approved the county judges' request to retain Elizabeth Cole as an employee. Her employment status will be reviewed in three months, at which time it is hoped her Social Security review will be completed by the state. Cole is dealing with a medical condition and has exhausted her sick leave.

• The county commissioners approved the stormwater runoff and erosion control ordinance. The ordinance, which was discussed at two Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission meetings, will take effect March 1.

Four petitions for rezonings were unanimously approved by the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday. The rezonings approved included:

• Linda Dilling's petition to rezone 1.6 acres from an agricultural district to a residential district. The property is on the east side of CR 325E and north of CR 100S in Wayne Township.

• Michele Morgan's petition to rezone ground from an agricultural district to an Ag II district. The property is on the east side of CR 375E and south of CR 450N in Plain Township.

• Carl & Christine Lozier's petition to rezone 2.49 acres from an agricultural district to an Ag II district. The property is on the south side of CR 200N and west of CR 100E in Wayne Township.

• A petition by Frank Bush to rezone 2.565 acres from an agricultural district to a commercial district. The property is on the east side of Ind. 15 and 600 feet south of Levi Lee Road in Plain Township.

• In highway matters, Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent and Engineer Rob Ladson told the commissioners that the state map of the roads maintained by Kosciusko County had some errors. Upon recommendation by Ladson, the commissioners approved letting the state know which roads are actually county-maintained and which ones are not.

• Tuesday was retiring county auditor Charlene Knispel's last commissioner meeting. On Dec. 30, Sue Ann Mitchell will be sworn in as the new auditor.

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