Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Hampton Inn and Ruby Tuesday are now inside Warsaw city limits, thanks to a decision Monday by Warsaw's city council.
According to city planner Jeff Noffsinger, the two businesses are on land that was not yet annexed by Warsaw. The property, which includes 23.57 acres, is owned by two companies: R.T. Michiana Franchise, LLC, and Independent Property Operators of America, LLC. Noffsinger said both companies have agreed to the annexation.
Noffsinger said a public hearing will be held around June 19 after the annexation is advertised. He also said the annexed area will generate approximately $24,000 per year in taxes for the city.
The council also discussed a letter from Jones and Henry Engineers on the proposed second wastewater treatment plant.
Jones and Henry said a second facility is preferable to expanding the existing treatment plant because there is insufficient space for expansion of the current plant, the construction of the existing facility doesn't lend itself to expansion and the poor soils at the site would make expansion expensive.
Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins said a second treatment plant would be in addition to the existing plant, and would not replace it.
Helping toward the cost of a second treatment plant would be Warsaw's share of funds generated by the Economic Development Income Tax.
According to figures furnished to Wiggins by Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell, EDIT should bring the city nearly $632,000 per year. With the additional 1 percent County Option Income Tax, Warsaw should get approximately $1 million per year from back taxes.
Wiggins cautioned the council, however, that the estimated tax revenue is based on last year's population figures, and he urged Warsaw residents to return their Census forms so town and county officials will have accurate figures to work with.
"It's important that they fill out the form - or fill out what they want to of the form. We need the count," Wiggins said.
He added that anyone who hasn't received a form may pick one up at the city's building and plan office.
In other business, the council:
• Unanimously approved an ordinance transferring $35,000 to the capital outlay fund. Wiggins said the $35,000 will be used as earnest money for the old NIPSCO building, which is being considered as the new city hall.
"Is that refundable if (the deal) doesn't go through?" asked councilman Jerry Patterson.
"Yes," Wiggins said.
• Appointed councilwoman Trish Brown to the Lakeland Art Association steering committee.
• Agreed to waive the building permit fee for the 4-H horse and pony barn.
• Changed the location for the April 10 Warsaw Plan Commission and April 17 council meetings to the old courtroom in the county courthouse. Board of Public Works and Safety meetings in April will be at 8:30 a.m. April 14 and April 28.
Warsaw City Council members are: Joe Thallemer, Trish Brown, Jeff Grose, Charles Smith, Paul Siebenmorgen, Jerry Patterson and Bill Rhoades.
