Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
More than 900 freeholders participated in the Barbee Lakes Conservancy District election Saturday.
The unofficial tally shows 478 "yes" votes to dissolve the district and 436 "no" votes, according to district secretary Scott Fox. There were 26 invalid absentee votes not counted because they weren't signed; 13 signatures could not be verified. A total of 953 ballots were cast; 914 were counted.
The election results will be forwarded to circuit court for certification. Once official, the dissolution process will begin.
The district has funds of $330,000. State statute calls for the money to be returned to the county's general fund.
Fox was assisted by district board member Don Harris. Clerks were Beverly Trout, James Harvey and Steve Hardin. Hardin fell ill a couple of hours before the election closed and board member Bart Brugh assisted with the final count.
Around 7 p.m., the process of opening hundreds of absentee ballots began. District president Barry Hecker opened envelopes while Fox called out the names on the ballots. The clerks checked off each freeholder's name, consulting a master list of property owners.
The election was held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fox said the system of checks and balances lasted into Saturday morning, when the Barbee Conservancy Club doors were locked up around 12:45 a.m.
