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Local not-for-profit agencies made their annual requests for money before the Kosciusko County Council Thursday.
Jack Felger, executive director of the Kosciusko County Council On Aging, said they were asking for $35,000 for 2001, $10,000 more than received previously.
He said they provide at least 12,000 rides per year for seniors at a total cost of approximately $100,000. Last year, they ended the year with an overall deficit of approximately $4,500.
Transportation costs have gone up, he said, and other programs they sponsor have "had some costs."
Other than the county contribution, the Council on Aging receives funding from federal reimbursements, contributions and the United Way. In several years, no funding from any source has gone up, Felger said. The increase they are asking from the county, he said, will help the agency break even.
Council president Brad Tandy asked if it was true that the K21 Foundation denied the Council on Aging's request for funds for 2001. Felger said that was correct.
"I guess I'm totally puzzled by that," Tandy said.
Felger said K21 said they would help pay "for a thing," but the Council on Aging doesn't need another "thing. We can't pay for what we have now," he said.
Tandy said he thought helping organizations like the Council on Aging was the mission of the K21 Foundation.
Jerry Patterson, representing the Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, said the CVB will have a total budget of $335,000, which is generated from the innkeepers' tax. However, they anticipate receiving as much as $385,000 income from the tax next year, he said.
The CVB requested the $335,000 from the council since the council disburses the innkeepers' tax funds.
"Things are going very well at the CVB," he said. Since the visitors' center opened 1-1/2 years ago, Patterson said, they've had 15,687 visitors.
Arrowhead RC&D requested only $500, the same as previous years.
Beaman Home is requesting $27,500, an increase of $2,500.
Joyce DiRico, board member, said the shelter operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The shelter and service needs continue to rise, she said.
Last year, the shelter helped 247 unduplicated victims for 2,500 residential days. This year, as of July 1, they've helped 288 unduplicated families so far for 3,036 residential days, and they have more time to go, she said.
Meanwhile, the Beaman Home continues to experience state and federal grant cutbacks. DiRico said they were notified by the state that they should anticipate further grant cuts.
DiRico told the county council they haven't requested an increase in funding in the last four years, but they find themselves in need.
Treasurer Jim Nowak said the most of their expenses are salaries because they are open 24 hours a day every day. Other costs include food, household and personal items, and repair and maintenance costs to the facilities.
Because the Beaman Home doesn't refuse anyone, they have been getting more clients from Marshall County. Marshall County does contribute some money to the Beaman Home, he said.
Animal Welfare League is requesting an additional $10,000 for 2001, for a total of $60,000. Bob Brilliandt, AWL treasurer, said the primary request is for payroll so "we can cover and make sure we have money coming in so we can properly pay our people. Right now, they have no benefits."
He said they recognized the increase was quite a jump, but "we don't anticipate (such a jump) every year."
He said they also are asking the city of Warsaw for an increase from $10,000 to $12,000.
Bowen Center's request is for $326,049. Part of that amount used to be funded through the welfare department, but as of July 1, County Administrator Ron Robinson said that changed due to changes in law.
Cardinal Center is requesting $117,000. Of the request, $37,000 is a one-time request to help with roof repairs.
Other requests include: 4-H fair board, $42,632; Kosciusko County Historical Society, $23,000; Home Health Care, $35,000; and Kosciusko Development Inc., $50,000. KDI's request is $15,000 more than last year.
In other business, the county council:
• Approved three transfers for the county sheriff's department totaling more than $30,000.
• Approved a transfer of funds for the county clerk's office from a chief deputy payroll account to two supervisor payroll accounts. Robinson told the council one chief deputy position is being relinquished and the payroll is being split among two new supervisors. The supervisors would report to one deputy.
• Approved three transfers totaling approximately $60,000 for the county highway department and an additional appropriation for $34,000 to replace a truck involved in an accident.
• Approved the appointment of Mary Joan Plew to the Pierceton and Washington Township Library Board.
• County Auditor Sue Ann Mitchell said tax sale notices have gone out. Delinquent taxpayers have until Wednesday to pay their taxes before their names are printed in the newspaper, she said. The tax sale will be held Sept. 20.
"We have had a lot of people come in to pay their taxes since the letters went out," Mitchell said.
• Members of the county council include Brad Tandy, John Kinsey, Harold Jones, Tom Anglin, Jim Tranter, Lewis Bertsch and Kathryn Teel.
