County Council Reorganizes; Garber Chosen President
June 9, 2017 at 6:26 p.m.
By Dan [email protected]
The midyear changes became necessary after council President Bob Sanders died last month.
The vacancy was filled Wednesday when a Republican caucus chose Kimberly Cates over six other candidates to fill Sanders’ at-large seat.
Garber, a member of council since 2012, had been named interim president.
On Thursday, Councilman Tom Anglin nominated Garber for the post and for Ernie Wiggins to serve as vice president. The proposal was approved unanimously by the all-Republican council.
Garber said it would be tough to replace Sanders. “He was a good mentor. I?learned a lot from him,” he said.
Cates was sworn in Thursday morning and joined the council hours later.
Cates, who is married to Superior Court Judge David Cates, said she planned fill out any necessary paperwork needed to divulge the potential conflict of interest and would step aside on any votes involving her husband.
In other business, the council approved a recommendation to use $113,000 from a tax increment finance fund to pay for drainage repairs near the Louis Dreyfus Commodities plant in Claypool. The improvements will resolve flooding northeast of the plant that is affecting several nearby properties. The request came from the surveyor’s office and the redevelopment commission.
Surveyor Michael Kissinger said they hope to begin work this fall or in the spring.
Council also reviewed annual tax abatement agreements for 10 companies. The review is necessary to determine whether the companies are living up to hiring expectations. All but two were approved. Approval for NG Instruments was delayed because no representatives appeared before the council. The other involves Louis Dreyfus, which needs to resubmit paperwork.
Numerous companies reported exceeding hiring plans.
The council also approved the appointment of Ben Rice to the Warsaw Community Public Library Board.
The midyear changes became necessary after council President Bob Sanders died last month.
The vacancy was filled Wednesday when a Republican caucus chose Kimberly Cates over six other candidates to fill Sanders’ at-large seat.
Garber, a member of council since 2012, had been named interim president.
On Thursday, Councilman Tom Anglin nominated Garber for the post and for Ernie Wiggins to serve as vice president. The proposal was approved unanimously by the all-Republican council.
Garber said it would be tough to replace Sanders. “He was a good mentor. I?learned a lot from him,” he said.
Cates was sworn in Thursday morning and joined the council hours later.
Cates, who is married to Superior Court Judge David Cates, said she planned fill out any necessary paperwork needed to divulge the potential conflict of interest and would step aside on any votes involving her husband.
In other business, the council approved a recommendation to use $113,000 from a tax increment finance fund to pay for drainage repairs near the Louis Dreyfus Commodities plant in Claypool. The improvements will resolve flooding northeast of the plant that is affecting several nearby properties. The request came from the surveyor’s office and the redevelopment commission.
Surveyor Michael Kissinger said they hope to begin work this fall or in the spring.
Council also reviewed annual tax abatement agreements for 10 companies. The review is necessary to determine whether the companies are living up to hiring expectations. All but two were approved. Approval for NG Instruments was delayed because no representatives appeared before the council. The other involves Louis Dreyfus, which needs to resubmit paperwork.
Numerous companies reported exceeding hiring plans.
The council also approved the appointment of Ben Rice to the Warsaw Community Public Library Board.
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