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Kosciusko County Commissioners' decision not to recommend funds for KABS could have an impact beyond what they expected.
The lack of county support could have a domino effect on another request and force the regional bus service to reduce services, according to a spokesperson.
The commissioners decided Tuesday not to recommend a $12,000 appropriation for KABS to county council, which would have decided whether to include it in the 1998 budget.
The request was made through Cardinal Center, which depends greatly on the regional bus service to shuttle clients to its facility. The money is needed to offset the decreasing amount of federal and state funds, said Jane Green, executive director for Cardinal Center.
For KABS, the decision could affect a similar request made to Warsaw City Council.
According to Green, Mayor Ernie Wiggins contacted her Wednesday after learning of the commissioners' decision and expressed doubts that city council would support the request if the county won't. KABS was seeking $82,729 from the city. The city request is much larger than the county's because of the proportion of riders from the city.
Wiggins could not be reached for comment.
Without the local support, KABS may have to look at its options, Green said. "Unless we get some local support, we will not be able to continue at the current level," she said.
The commissioners' decision came under deadline pressure with only two of three board members present. A recommendation was needed before council begins review of the budget next week.
Green made a presentation to county council last month, but council wanted a recommendation from the commissioners before taking action.
Commissioner Avis Gunter expressed willingness Tuesday to support the issue, but Brad Jackson spoke against it, saying the expenditure would establish a new precedent. Eddie Creighton, president of the commissioners, did not attend the meeting.
Green said she was frustrated with the turn of events and that she was not given a chance to explain the request to the commissioners.
"It's typical. We've been trying for three years to get a nickel from them for KABS and come up empty-handed every time."
In recent years, the percentage of Cardinal clients has decreased significantly and officials expect that trend to continue. That, coupled with fewer funds from traditional sources, has led Cardinal to seek local support needed to meet grant requirements. In the past, Cardinal has provided the entire local match. In 1997, that figure was $153,000, according to Tom Sherron, director of KABS.
Sherron declined comment and said a statement would be issued soon.
