Groups Ask To Be Included In 2003 City Budget

Four organizations approached the Warsaw city council for money Monday.

Presenting cases for inclusion in the 2003 budget were: Cindy Cordill from the Animal Welfare League, asking for $14,520, a 10 percent increase from the 2002 city grant; Jane Greene and Rita Baker, representing KABS, who requested $18,500, their regular allotment plus an additional $26,998, for a total of $45,498; Joy McCarthy-Sessing, from Kosciusko Development Inc., who asked for $2,650, an increase from the usual $1,500; and John Elliott, from the Warsaw Community Development Corp., who requested the annual stipend of $12,000.

Cordill, an AWL board of directors member, said most of her request goes toward payroll. The county gives the organization more than $70,000 per year.

Greene and Baker said the countywide transportation service's state funds were cut two years ago, resulting in a $90,000 loss over two years.

KABS is a department of the Cardinal Center and transports many of its clients, seniors and school children.

Greene said new contracts have made up for the state funding losses and savings carried the service for the last two years.

Baker said more than 28,000 trips over 2.5 million accident-free miles were made for 78,000 passengers.

Elliott said the WCDC is asking for its regular contribution of $12,000. He listed the organization's many programs and accomplishments.

He then asked that the WCDC offices move into city hall from their space in the Warsaw/Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce building.

He said the corporation will be working with city government implementing the HyettPalma downtown action plan and such a move would facilitate communication.

He also gave an update on the Tucker building, 110 E. Center St., saying improvements should be complete and the building ready for occupancy by September.

All requests were taken under advisement by the council.

The proposed reconstruction of Parker Street was discussed at length again, with members divided about if and when reconstruction should occur.

Federal funding for the project - the "Y" intersection off U.S. 30 where DuBois Drive and Parker Street meet and where Parker "Ts" at Center Street - is available in the amount of $1.9 million. The funds were awarded to Warsaw from federal highway accounts, the city's share of the 18-cent gas tax.

A total construction cost, including right-of-way acquisitions, various studies, reports and engineering designs, comes to $2.8 million.

Local monies amount to $892,400 and will pay for 20 percent of construction costs and all of the non-construction costs, including land acquisition and engineering fees.

The members reiterated their objections to the costly project versus their concern that something should be done to aid traffic flow.

Although no date was set, it was decided to hold a public meeting with concerned parties -residents of the subdivision south of DuBois, businesses and representatives of Kosciusko Community Hospital.

In other business, the board:

• Reviewed a notice of voluntary annexation from Orchard Ridge. A public hearing regarding the annexation is set for Aug. 5. A fiscal plan will be presented on that date.

• Approved an amendment regarding flood hazard areas and several "housekeeping" amendments to the zoning ordinance.

The amendment regarding accessory buildings limits them to two per lot: 720 total square feet for lots under 10,000 square feet; 864 square feet for lots up to 25,000 square feet; and 1,200 square feet for lots larger than 25,001 square feet.

Language regarding residential variances in commercial zones was added along with permit and fee schedules for fences, $5; freestanding signs, 15 cents per square foot, minimum $15; temporary signs and parking lot improvements, $15 each; and application and filing fees for preliminary plats, $25 plus $1 per lot.

• Approved a resolution to transfer funds from the Economic Development Corp. to the sewage depreciation fund in the amount of $232,711.81.

City council members are Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, George Clemens, Jeff Grose, Trish Brown and Joe Thallemer. The council meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in council chambers at city hall. The next meeting is Aug. 5.