County Hears Change Requests, Mattress Costs For New Jail

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By TERESA SMITH, Times-Union Staff Writer-

Mattresses for 302 beds in the expanded Kosciusko County Jail will cost $47,000 or 155.60 each, according to county administrator Ron Robinson.

Robinson advised county commissioners of this cost at the tail end of Tuesday's meeting, after four proposals costing a total of $33,619 also were approved.

The commissioners requested two changes, one to the lobby stairway at a cost of $14,615 and another regarding the front entrance doors for $1,368. The two other proposals concerned an upgrade to metal ceilings in the cell blocks for $8,000 and $9,636 for installation of two doors to allow for better access in the cell block area and additional storage.

Commissioners Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex approved a land vacation as requested by Dan and Rebecca Conkling, despite a lack of support from the Area Plan Commission.

The area in question concerns the esplanade adjacent to lot 11 in the Hiners South Park addition located east and south of EMS W20 Lane.

The esplanade was vacated except a perpetual 15-foot right of way along the Webster Lake shore.

The commissioners also accepted the dedication of roadway - actually an illegal 1-foot non-access strip, installed in 1981 - in South Shore Green subdivision as requested by Charles Haffner. Non-access strips are illegal in Indiana. Although indicated on the original plat, plan commissioners did not "catch" the strip 20 years ago.

Haffner plans a 40-lot subdivision adjacent to the South Shore Green area along Dog Leg Drive East and Dog Leg Drive West. The non-access strip blocked access to Haffner's property.

Along with the dedication Haffner asked that planned streets be without curbs and guttering. South Shore Green was granted a variance for the roads without curbs and guttering two decades ago, too.

Truex advised Haffner his motion would be to accept the strip but if he did not build the streets to county specifications he would not receive county maintenance on them.

"We're will not accept roads below county standards," he said. "And we're not going to make exceptions for mistakes made years ago."

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved a three-year contract with DMG Maximus, formerly known as the David M. Griffith Co., which audits federal funds received for welfare and child support collection programs. The company is contracted by all the state's counties for this service.

• Approved application for a Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse credit card.

Also, for the new jail the commissioners:

• Approved 480-volt motors for three dryers and washers for the new jail at a cost of $2,200 to make the equipment more economical.

• Approved a new garbage disposal for the new jail's kitchen at a cost of $1,100. Robinson said all the old kitchen equipment will be moved to the work release area.

• Approved finishing a room initially designated as unassigned at a cost of $6,186 for carpeting, etc. The space known as D28 will be used during jury trials.

• Heard from Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine regarding state jail standards and courthouse security.

Rovenstine said his department was complying with most of the standards, and two men assigned to courthouse security will attend a certification program soon.

• Approved closing Ind. 14 between Ind. 15 and CR 200W, pending state approval, for Silver Lake Days, June 15 only, for three hours.

Traffic will be rerouted on county roads during the parade. [[In-content Ad]]

Mattresses for 302 beds in the expanded Kosciusko County Jail will cost $47,000 or 155.60 each, according to county administrator Ron Robinson.

Robinson advised county commissioners of this cost at the tail end of Tuesday's meeting, after four proposals costing a total of $33,619 also were approved.

The commissioners requested two changes, one to the lobby stairway at a cost of $14,615 and another regarding the front entrance doors for $1,368. The two other proposals concerned an upgrade to metal ceilings in the cell blocks for $8,000 and $9,636 for installation of two doors to allow for better access in the cell block area and additional storage.

Commissioners Avis Gunter, Brad Jackson and Ron Truex approved a land vacation as requested by Dan and Rebecca Conkling, despite a lack of support from the Area Plan Commission.

The area in question concerns the esplanade adjacent to lot 11 in the Hiners South Park addition located east and south of EMS W20 Lane.

The esplanade was vacated except a perpetual 15-foot right of way along the Webster Lake shore.

The commissioners also accepted the dedication of roadway - actually an illegal 1-foot non-access strip, installed in 1981 - in South Shore Green subdivision as requested by Charles Haffner. Non-access strips are illegal in Indiana. Although indicated on the original plat, plan commissioners did not "catch" the strip 20 years ago.

Haffner plans a 40-lot subdivision adjacent to the South Shore Green area along Dog Leg Drive East and Dog Leg Drive West. The non-access strip blocked access to Haffner's property.

Along with the dedication Haffner asked that planned streets be without curbs and guttering. South Shore Green was granted a variance for the roads without curbs and guttering two decades ago, too.

Truex advised Haffner his motion would be to accept the strip but if he did not build the streets to county specifications he would not receive county maintenance on them.

"We're will not accept roads below county standards," he said. "And we're not going to make exceptions for mistakes made years ago."

In other business, the commissioners:

• Approved a three-year contract with DMG Maximus, formerly known as the David M. Griffith Co., which audits federal funds received for welfare and child support collection programs. The company is contracted by all the state's counties for this service.

• Approved application for a Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse credit card.

Also, for the new jail the commissioners:

• Approved 480-volt motors for three dryers and washers for the new jail at a cost of $2,200 to make the equipment more economical.

• Approved a new garbage disposal for the new jail's kitchen at a cost of $1,100. Robinson said all the old kitchen equipment will be moved to the work release area.

• Approved finishing a room initially designated as unassigned at a cost of $6,186 for carpeting, etc. The space known as D28 will be used during jury trials.

• Heard from Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine regarding state jail standards and courthouse security.

Rovenstine said his department was complying with most of the standards, and two men assigned to courthouse security will attend a certification program soon.

• Approved closing Ind. 14 between Ind. 15 and CR 200W, pending state approval, for Silver Lake Days, June 15 only, for three hours.

Traffic will be rerouted on county roads during the parade. [[In-content Ad]]

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