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Because of the "energy crisis," Kosciusko County Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine told the Kosciusko County Council Thursday, he will request an additional appropriation of $40,000 next month to cover the cost of gas for the year for his department.
Last year's gas budget was $67,000, but in November and December 2000, they spent approximately $13,000 of the 2001 gas budget.
The 2001 gas budget was $70,000, but $13,000 was spent in 2000, leaving approximately $57,000.
If gas prices stay as they are, Rovenstine said, his department won't make it to September.
"We're trying to be conservative," said Rovenstine.
Currently, the sheriff's department is spending approximately $7,500 per month.
Asked what octane of gas the department was using, Rovenstine said they were using 89 octane, but "we will dip down to 87 to save you a few pennies."
Some officers have to drive to Florida, Tennessee and Michigan for extraditions and to transport prisoners, Rovenstine said. There are gas expenses for those, but those trips are the sheriff's department's responsibilities.
In other business, the council:
• Tentatively scheduled the 2002 budget hearings.
At their regular July meeting, the council will hear from the nonprofit organizations.
Department budget hearings will be July 30 and 31 and August 2.
• Scheduled a Warsaw Community Public Library board capital projects hearing for 9 a.m. May 19.
The county council is the overseeing body for county residents who live in townships not served by WCPL.
• Appointed councilman Larry Teghtmeyer as the council representative to the Western Route committee.
• Heard from county surveyor Richard Kemper and Geographical Imaging System director Bill Holder about a request for new aerial photos of the county in 2002.
The last photos were taken in 1996 and cost approximately $486,000. In 2002, Holder said, they are looking to get more detailed photos of the lakes and towns.
"There's a lot of departments that see the benefit of having detailed (photos)," said Holder.
Council president Jim Tranter said the council will review the proposal in the next 60 days and make a decision before the budget hearings.
• Approved three grant fund transfers for the sheriff's department.
• Approved a transfer of $3,500 from full-time wages to part-time wages for the probation department.
Kosciusko County Administrator Ron Robinson said one of the probation officers went on family medical leave Thursday. An intern was hired beginning Thursday to fill in for the officer until late summer and the intern is qualified to do the work.
• Approved an additional appropriation for the Fatherhood Grant for the prosecutor's office.
• Approved a salary ordinance amendment for the county surveyor's office. Beth Krull, who is already a county employee, will work on mapping in the surveyor's office two days a week and will be paid $8.30 per hour.
• Approved a 2000 and 2001 retroactive salary ordinance amendment that states all county employee wages adopted are the maximum that can be paid and employees can be paid less than that amount. The ordinances are retroactive to Jan. 1.
• Approved a salary ordinance amendment for the part-time nurse from the Prenatal Grant Funds. The amendment was omitted in the salary ordinance and is retroactive to 2000.
Members of the county council present Thursday were Larry Teghtmeyer, John Kinsey, president Jim Tranter, Tom Anglin and Maurice Beer. Not present were vice president Brad Tandy and Harold Jones.
The council meets at 7 p.m. in the county courthouse on the first Thursday of every month.
