Kosciusko County Commissioners approved no increase this morning for area not-for-profits except the Bowen Center. Commissioners approved the 2016 agreement with the not-for-profits that the county contributes to, including only a state-mandated increase for the Bowen Center of $15,550 for a total for that agency of $570,910. The total for the other nine not-for-profits remains at around $470,000. The other non-profits had requested an increase of close to $90,000 among them, including $60,000 for the Beaman Home – double what it received this year; an extra $39,612 for the Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., for a total of $190,000; and an increase of about $12,000 requested by the Animal Welfare League, for a total of $74,194. Also this morning, commissioners and Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine recognized departing 911 center director, David Rosenberry. Rovenstine said Rosenberry started with the Warsaw Police Department 21 years ago, became assistant director of 911 and then was named director five years ago. And commissioners approved two recommendations from the Area Plan Commission: Rezoning about five acres behind Worthington Tractor Parts on Ind. 15 south of Leesburg from agricultural to light industrial, to allow expansion of the salvage business; and the vacation of a 12-foot driveway in a subdivision on the south side of Webster Lake at the request of property owner Thomas Collins, with the expectation that further vacations in the subdivision will be approved later. Also this morning, commissioners: • Approved a revised policy on disaster grant applications requiring the signature of one commissioner and the county auditor. They had voted last month to allow the signature of the county administrator or assistant administrator in addition to a commissioner, but Emergency Manager Ed Rock said the state requires that the signatures be from elected officials only. • Approved the purchase of two backflow prevention devices for the water system in the justice center and jail for $12,684, as required by the state.
