Council Reviews Agency RequestsNot-for-profit budget hearings were reviewed by Kosciusko County Council Thursday night.
Nine agencies made their annual pitch for funding to the council. The Kosciusko County Historical Society asked for $23,000, up from its $20,641 allocation for this year. Included in its request was $1,000 for utilities for private events while the Old Jail Museum is closed.
The Beaman Home asked for $40,000, up from its 2018 allocation of $29,700. Tracie Hodson, director of the agency, said the organization opened its larger facility and almost immediately reached capacity, and is offering more programs to help battered women.
The Animal Welfare League asked for $81,676, up from its $65.341 allocation for 2018. Executive director Katey Zemen said among the shelter’s expanded services is taking in pets from women who have checked into the Beaman Home.
The Bowen Center asked for $365,866, an increase of a little more than 10 percent, to help cover costs associated with the treatment of opioid abuse and other programs.
Others organizations appearing before the council were the Kosciusko County 4-H program, Cardinal Services, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, and the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. The Kosciusko County Council on Aging was the only agency that didn’t ask for an increase in funds from the county.
All of the requests were taken under advisement. Final decisions will be later this summer.
In other business, council reallocated the following funds:
• $13,000 in the health department for furniture and fixtures related to the recent remodeling of its office in the old courthouse.
• $15,000 from a grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to the Sheriff’s Department for its lakes patrol division. $12,500 will go to salaries, the balance to dock rental and boat storage.
• A transfer of $875.68 in the community corrections to reflect the salary of a recently promoted employee.
The county council will meet again at 7 p.m. Aug. 9.
