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The commissioners won't recommend additional funding for Kosciusko Development Inc. until they hear from the county's redevelopment commission.
KDI has asked the county to allocate a total of $100,000 for four years. The county council has approved $33,250 and the council has asked for a favorable recommendation from the commissioners before approving more money.
The redevelopment commission was reformed at the end of January. One of their tasks is to bring economic development issues to the commissioners and the council.
Commissioner Ron Truex, who sits on the KDI board of directors, said out of respect for the KDI board, "They need to know what we're thinking. The commissioners will withhold a recommendation for the $100,000 (total) until we hear back from the new redevelopment commission."
County administrator Ron Robinson talked about ongoing courthouse renovations.
Hardesty Construction will pick up $9,000 of a $19,000 contract with Lee Painting.
Robinson pointed out the new chandelier hung late Monday afternoon. The light, hanging from the old courtroom's central medallion, features four opaque globes in a 4-foot diameter ring with a central brass globe. It hangs 11 feet from the ceiling.
Completion of the project includes new carpeting in the "basement," old courtroom and assessor's office.
The finish date is about one month behind.
Robinson said following the meeting, due to other projects being started by Hardesty Construction and delays in material receipt.
The board also:
• Heard from Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine that the Indiana Sheriff's magazine featured the county's deputies who traveled to the Gulf Coast following Hurricane Katrina. The Times-Union's article by Jen Gibson was reprinted by the magazine, too.
• Agreed to recommend an expenditure for a large format printer, copier and scanner as requested by Global Information Systems director Bill Holder. Costs will be shared by the surveyor's recorder's, assessor's and GIS budget. The GIS share is $4,125. The equipment will be kept in the surveyor's office.
• Approved a contract with the Advance Medical company to provide care to prisoners at the jail.
Rovenstine said medical expenses have skyrocketed. Last year he was appropriated an additional $100,000 for inmate medical care.
"We appreciate what Dr. [Dean] Jansen has done, but we have to curb costs," Rovenstine said.
Truex added that Jansen is supportive of the change to contracted care.
• Received an annual report from Arrow Head Country Resource, Conservation and Development Area representative Stan Moore. He is the commissioner's appointee.
• Signed a letter to certain employees regarding the use of American Express credit cards. Card holders are to buy gas, motor oil and other vehicle-related equipment materials. Purchases will be monitored daily.
Commissioner Brad Jackson voted against the credit card policy.
The county's gas supply tank will be closed.
• Approved purchase of two John Deere tractors from McKillip Equipment Inc., Wabash. The model 6415 tractor's total price, with trade-in is $65,294. A rear mounted SCV will be added to the tractors at a cost of $879 each.
Since the price was so reasonable highway superintendent Dennis Pletcher asked that another pair of tractors be bought, which also was approved.
The vehicles will be used for mowing.
Commissioners opened bids two weeks ago. Also bidding were Gilsinger, $73,238 for two John Deere tractors; Troxel, $74,000 for two John Deere tractors; Kerlin Motors, $76307 for two Ford/New Holland tractors; Rader Equipment $67,810 and $77,078 for two different pair of McCormick model tractors; and from Topeka $78,386 for two Ford/New Holland tractors.
• Approved a contract between the county and city of Warsaw for $100,000 for the county to provide 911 dispatchers. The money is due in two payments, half June 30 and half Dec. 30.
• Approved Wabash Electric's information technology division as contractor for the county's computers.
• Signed a change to the stop sign ordinance placing signs in Candlewood Estates on the southeast corner of Britney Drive and CR 375S and on the southwest corner of Elaine Drive and Britney Drive.
• Agreed to pay a South Street property owner $3,600 for a pine tree that received extensive damage to its branches and root system because of construction.
County commissioners are Brad Jackson, Avis Gunter and Ron Truex.
