Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
The latest "in lieu annexation" agreement with the city of Warsaw for Orchard Ridge Apartments will expire Feb. 20 and probably won't be renewed.
Since 1989, the apartment complex instead of becoming a part of the city, has received city sanitary sewer service and paid one-half the city tax rate.
A private lift station has been maintained on the property along with a private parking lot and road.
Twelve years ago the apartment buildings along old U.S. 30 were built well outside city limits. There were no contiguous properties. Over the years, according to city planner Jeff Noffsinger, the city borders have extended out to the property.
Lacy Francis, street department superintendent, said Friday the Orchard Ridge Apartment's lift station was not equipped with the proper pumps and he wasn't sure whether or not it was in the city right of way.
Francis told Warsaw's Board of Works the city would require installation of stainless steel guard rails and an asphalted access area.
So far the lift station is in good working order and has not been an apartment maintenance problem, Francis said.
Noffsinger said there are two other in-lieu-of-annexation agreements with the city, one at Green Acres Mobile Home Park and the other at Graceland Village.
Orchard Ridge Apartments LP pays from $10,000 to $13,000 annually in taxes.
Attorney Steve Snyder approached the board representing the limited partnership.
He asked the board to extend the agreement in consideration of the more than $120,000 already paid, saying the business wouldn't necessarily benefit from annexation.
He acknowledged that the business agreed not to remonstrate against annexation if it were filed.
Board of Works member Charles Smith pointed out that "they've been getting a bargain, the same benefits as other businesses who have been annexed and paying the full tax rate."
Board members Mayor Ernie Wiggins and Jerry Patterson said they leaned toward recommending annexation, too.
"They knew it (the in-lieu-of- annexation agreement) would expire," Patterson said.
The board declined to renew the agreement. It will be heard again at Monday's city council meeting.
In other business, the board:
• Approved a copy machine agreement with Office Concepts Inc., Fort Wayne, for the building and planning department.
The contract stipulates the department be billed monthly at a rate of 0.0135 per copy, a 7 percent increase, and the company will provide all maintenance for one year.
Smith asked if a local business wouldn't provide the same services.
• Reviewed a construction report from Herceg and Associates regarding the police department's new garage.
Wiggins said the work is ahead of schedule so far.
An accompanying change order from Bruner Construction of $36,135 was approved.
• Approved Fire Chief Matt Warren's request that Aaron Bolinger be removed from probationary firefighter status and promoted to full-time firefighter. His biweekly pay increases to $1,309.49.
• Approved a police department request to purchase three 2001 Ford Crown Victoria police cars from Rice Ford, Warsaw, at a price of $22,587 each, which includes options.
The department is budgeted for four new cars, but received a 1999 Blazer earlier in the year.
The board asked that the cars be ordered in the spring.
• Approved a contract with Elwood Splinter's Blues Band to perform during the Blues Jam in Central Park July 14. Cost of their appearance is $900.
• Approved a contract for three new digital phones with Verizon Wireless for two years. According to Noffsinger, the agreement will cut the building and planning department's charges by half.
For the 650-minute package and three phones, costs will be $66.65 per month.
• Released liens on the properties of Melvin and Yvonne Adams, 1834 Sue Ave., of $525, and two liens against Sydney Martin and Dennis and Barb Schaff, 612 W. Wilson St., of $1,000 and $250.
• Approved "hirings" of mayoral appointees Tom Heuer to the Board of Zoning Appeals and Jim Gast to the Plan Commission. Both men will receive stipends for serving on the boards.
• Approved travel requests by Lacy Francis to attend a storm water and drainage conference at Purdue University and for Chuck Hodges and Steve Rockey for additional police training.
• Reluctantly approved a request by parks activities director Andy McCleary for additional monies to spend the night in Indianapolis Feb. 25, the night before he and Noffsinger are to attend a greenway conference. Both men will be in the capital on private business that weekend.
Instead of driving a city car they would take their personal vehicles and not request mileage.
• Received a report from the Kosciusko Community YMCA showing 15 city employees are members.
