Courthouse Renovations Near Completion
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
County administrator Ron Robinson advised the Kosciusko County Council about courthouse renovations Thursday, saying the heat obviously was working.
He said adjustments to the new infrastructure and telephone system continue.
He advised the council new carpeting will be installed in the old courtroom and in some basement offices where water damage occurred.
The old courtroom's sound system is going to be renovated and Robinson said it will be excellent. Testing with just one microphone and speaker went well.
New lighting also will be installed in the old courtroom.
All the work should be complete mid-December.
Robinson did not repeat his conversation with NIPSCO officials regarding recent tree trimming techniques, but referred to the exchange as heated.
Trimming contractors hacked through tree branches on the north side of the courthouse lawn to accommodate overhanging power lines.
"I was sick when I walked down the street," he said of the results of the trimming.
Robinson said NIPSCO will replace two trees and pay for a Japanese Lilac and a flowering pear tree. Neither tree should grow tall enough to be near the power lines.
He said some of the sugar maples have a disease and the tops of others have been burned because they are near power lines.
The council heard from Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission Treasurer Jan Carter, who asked for $389,000. The amount was approved.
The money will be spent on budgeted items: administration, $5,000; grants $114,000; and CVB Inc., $270,000.
She said $80,000 is earmarked for festivals in 2006. This year $33,000 went to festival and event grants. She expects more communities to come forward with applications as they hear about grant opportunities.
"This board is setting procedures and policies so any new board members will have these to follow and hopefully have their own ideas," Carter said.
The commission has collected $358,445.21 in innkeepers tax money through October, about $10,000 less than all of last year. She said the commission will end the year with a balance of about $248,837.
The council also:
• Approved additional appropriations of $30,000 to the county high highway department for building repairs. Road Supervisor Dennis Pletcher said he wanted to purchase a waste motor oil heater, which costs about $20,000, and install ductwork to heat three working bays. He said the highway department will produce most of the oil, but they may have to find more.
The extra oil may come from sheriff's department vehicles. Currently, several business serve the KCSD fleet and keep the oil.
Pletcher also said water pipes have burst and repairs need to be made with the funds.
• Approved transfers:
- For Superior Courts 2 and 3 for $12,500 from the secretary/bailiff's account to pauper council;
- For courthouse maintenance for $4,500 from housekeeping to maintenance to cover salary ordinance already approved for 2005;
- For local emergency plan for $191 from hazardous materials response equipment to emergency planning and for $700 from hazardous materials response equipment to training; and
- For county highway from $5,310 from group insurance to unemployment.
• Approved establishing a fund to receive $2,600 provided as fuel reimbursement for Operation Pull Over. The money will go to the sheriff's department.
County council members are Harold Jones, John Kinsey, Tom Anglin, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bob Sanders and Brad Tandy. Charlene Knispel was absent. [[In-content Ad]]
County administrator Ron Robinson advised the Kosciusko County Council about courthouse renovations Thursday, saying the heat obviously was working.
He said adjustments to the new infrastructure and telephone system continue.
He advised the council new carpeting will be installed in the old courtroom and in some basement offices where water damage occurred.
The old courtroom's sound system is going to be renovated and Robinson said it will be excellent. Testing with just one microphone and speaker went well.
New lighting also will be installed in the old courtroom.
All the work should be complete mid-December.
Robinson did not repeat his conversation with NIPSCO officials regarding recent tree trimming techniques, but referred to the exchange as heated.
Trimming contractors hacked through tree branches on the north side of the courthouse lawn to accommodate overhanging power lines.
"I was sick when I walked down the street," he said of the results of the trimming.
Robinson said NIPSCO will replace two trees and pay for a Japanese Lilac and a flowering pear tree. Neither tree should grow tall enough to be near the power lines.
He said some of the sugar maples have a disease and the tops of others have been burned because they are near power lines.
The council heard from Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission Treasurer Jan Carter, who asked for $389,000. The amount was approved.
The money will be spent on budgeted items: administration, $5,000; grants $114,000; and CVB Inc., $270,000.
She said $80,000 is earmarked for festivals in 2006. This year $33,000 went to festival and event grants. She expects more communities to come forward with applications as they hear about grant opportunities.
"This board is setting procedures and policies so any new board members will have these to follow and hopefully have their own ideas," Carter said.
The commission has collected $358,445.21 in innkeepers tax money through October, about $10,000 less than all of last year. She said the commission will end the year with a balance of about $248,837.
The council also:
• Approved additional appropriations of $30,000 to the county high highway department for building repairs. Road Supervisor Dennis Pletcher said he wanted to purchase a waste motor oil heater, which costs about $20,000, and install ductwork to heat three working bays. He said the highway department will produce most of the oil, but they may have to find more.
The extra oil may come from sheriff's department vehicles. Currently, several business serve the KCSD fleet and keep the oil.
Pletcher also said water pipes have burst and repairs need to be made with the funds.
• Approved transfers:
- For Superior Courts 2 and 3 for $12,500 from the secretary/bailiff's account to pauper council;
- For courthouse maintenance for $4,500 from housekeeping to maintenance to cover salary ordinance already approved for 2005;
- For local emergency plan for $191 from hazardous materials response equipment to emergency planning and for $700 from hazardous materials response equipment to training; and
- For county highway from $5,310 from group insurance to unemployment.
• Approved establishing a fund to receive $2,600 provided as fuel reimbursement for Operation Pull Over. The money will go to the sheriff's department.
County council members are Harold Jones, John Kinsey, Tom Anglin, Larry Teghtmeyer, Bob Sanders and Brad Tandy. Charlene Knispel was absent. [[In-content Ad]]