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The state provided the county with some funds in a Lane Mile Distribution, and Thursday the Kosciusko County Highway Department (KCHD) asked to spend those monies mostly for road material.
KCHD Assistant Superintendent Troy Kintzel said, “I’m requesting the approval of additional appropriations for the new Lane Mile Distribution Fund 1242 that the state has given us.”
The additional appropriations for the Lane Mile Distributions include $107,452 for stone, gravel and other aggregates; $50,000 for calcium salt and/or weed spray; and $520,000 to go into the KCHD’s bituminous fund, for a total of $677,452.
Ciriello asked, “This is money you’ve already received from the Lane Mile Distribution, you’re just asking for appropriation to be able to spend that money?”
“Absolutely. Yes, sir,” Kintzel responded.
The additional appropriations were approved unanimously.
Superior Court III Judge Chad Miner requested an additional appropriation of $7,500 for jury pay per diem and travel.
He said they’ve had more jury trials this year than he anticipated when they put the budget together last year for this year.
“So, what this is, is the jury per diem. So each juror, they get $30 for showing up, and then they get $80 if they get selected to be on the jury,” he said.
There’s usually six or 12 people on a jury, depending on the type of case. There may be between 40 to 65 potential jurors that would be called up. The travel is the juror’s mileage reimbursement, to travel to court and then go back.
“We had budgeted $10,000 for this year. We’re already at $16,000. We had transferred $5,000 over from the court-ordered services, but, again, we’re still $16,000 and that covers $15,000 and the year’s not over yet. So that’s why (we’re asking for the additional appropriation),” Miner said. “And spoiler alert: For the budget hearings coming up, I asked for $15,000, but I think we’re probably going to jump that up to ask them for $20,000.”
Miner said a person has a right to a jury trial, “and so how many folks we have go to jury trial, I can’t always anticipate ahead of time, so that’s where we’re at.”
His request was approved.
In other business:
• The council approved a salary ordinance amendment for the chief public defender and deputy chief public defender for a one-time $2,000 bonus, as required by state allowance. Two transfers - for $917 and $1,180 - also were approved to help cover the bonuses. The money will come out of the Supplemental Users Fees and not tax dollars.
• The council approved a salary ordinance amendment for a registrar 4/secretary at $22.85, as requested by Kosciusko County Health Department Administrator Bob Weaver.
• Area Plan Director Matt Sandy and Dawn Armey, Kosciusko County Soil & Water District, requested, and the council approved, to apply for a 2027 Clean Water Indiana Competitive Grant for $105,269. The county commissioners previously approved the request.
• Retired Seward Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kevin McSherry requested, and the council approved, for the township to apply for a $750,000 Office of Community and Rural Affairs grant for a new emergency services building. The commissioners approved the request Tuesday.
• Ciriello read the budget review of taxing units and non-binding recommendation from the council, which the council has to read annually.
• Updates were provided to the council from Liz McCullough, Health First Kosciusko; Amy Roe, Kosciusko County community coordinator; and Brittney Schori, Purdue Extension. They also provided similar updates to the commissioners on Tuesday.
