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Due to improper advertising, a vacation request before the Kosciusko County Commissioners Tuesday was continued until the March 13 commissioners meeting.
Alan and Terry Mahorter and Timothy and Rosita Kilty want to reduce a cul-de-sac with a 50-foot width to 33 feet. The cul-de-sac is in Johnson's Bay in Turkey Creek on Hiawatha Drive.
Kosciusko County standards require the width to be 50 feet, but the cul-de-sac being sought to be partially vacated was platted in 1959, before the county took over jurisdiction of it as it is county-maintained.
Commissioner attorney Mike Miner said the reason the vacation petition must be continued is because notice of the vacation must be published in two newspapers in Kosciusko County. One of the newspapers used for advertisement was out of county.
"It's simply not ready to go before the board at this time," Miner said.
In other business, the commissioners:
• Approved fourth-quarter claims vouchers for the Kosciusko Area Bus Service.
• Approved a Beaman Home grant application.
• Heard from county highway superintendent and engineer Rob Ladson who said stop sign installation at unlit and ungated rail road crossings is complete. The county received a $34,000 state grant for the work. The county spent $18,000.
The state, Ladson said, asked if there was anything the county wanted to do with the remaining monies. Ladson told the commissioners he wanted to pursue placing thermo-plasti signs on the pavement at some crossings. They will last awhile, he said.
"As far as safety," Ladson said, "every little bit helps."
The council approved Ladson to pursue the use of the money for the signs although the funds will cover supplies not labor.
• Approved the removal of two stop signs at the Levi Lee Road and Norfolk railroad crossing where lights and gates have been installed.
• Approved Kosciusko County Historical Society to host a play at the courthouse from March 4 to 12.
• County administrator Ron Robinson reported the war memorial on the southwest corner of the courthouse was damaged by a vehicle. He is attempting to contact the insurance company of the owner of the vehicle to pay for damages.
• Approved Laurie Renier as reassessment coordinator.
• Heard from Kosciusko County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell the tax rate has increased this year by .0025 to .8260.
Kosciusko County Commissioners are President Brad Jackson, Avis Gunter and Ron Truex. They meet at 9 a.m. every other Tuesday in the county courthouse.
