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The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission awarded a total of $11,500 to four agencies Monday.
The commission acts as a review and advisory board to the county council, which makes final approval of grant funding. The grant monies are provided by the local innkeeper's tax.
Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum director Margaret Appenzeller told the commission about the museum's third annual antique show and sale July 8-9. She requested $4,012 for out-of-county advertising and received approval for $3,000.
Pierceton Community Services requested $13,684 to promote two upcoming events; $3,000 was recommended. The organization is sponsoring two events this summer. The first event is an art fair July 23. The second is an antique flea market held the same weekend as Pierceton Days, Aug. 5-6.
A request from Warsaw Biblical Gardens committee chairman Kevin Zachary was tabled. The gardens are a project of the Warsaw Community Development Corp.
Zachary said the poplar trees at the gardens' east end needed to be replaced. Trees there serve as a barrier to Ind. 15 traffic noise. He also asked that the "outdated and obsolete" lights be replaced with more energy efficient and maintenance-free lights as part of the $11,500 request.
Taylor said he visited the gardens and didn't think the light poles were in bad shape. He asked that information on light designs be provided, suggesting a solar-powered model.
Commission president Deb Wiggins asked if the Biblical Gardens budget had a depreciation or capital projects account and Zachary said no.
Commissioners Faye Medlock and Jan Carter advised Zachary that the commission did not necessarily fund an organization's equipment or maintenance.
Zachary said the committee was working on a marketing strategy and a fund-raiser in June would go toward establishing an endowment for the support of the gardens.
The request was tabled until examples of and costs for lights are presented as well as a marketing strategy and advertising and promotion package.
The commission also:
• Approved the funding requests from Kosciusko County Right to Life, $1,500, for out-of-county advertising of the Pro-Life Music Festival.
• Approved $4,000 requested by the Warsaw Community Development Corp., $4,000, also for advertising outside the county, regarding the Downtown Days Festival, June 24-25.
• Heard from commission treasurer Carter about the records required during an upcoming State Board of Accounts examination.
• Recommended that grants be heard by the commission on a quarterly, instead of monthly or semi-monthly basis. Wiggins said they will still be taken monthly for the time being.
KCCRVC members are Deb Wiggins, Jan Carter, Faye Medlock, David Taylor and Jon Sroufe. John Elliott and Joy McCarthy-Sessing were absent.
