Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Zimmer Inc.'s request for a 10-year tax abatement was approved by the Warsaw city council Monday.
The company plans new construction of 128,000 square feet of warehouse and office space on West Center Street; installation of new manufacturing and research and development equipment for use in the existing West Center Street facility an additional 5,000 square feet of new construction added onto the former Burkhart Engineering facility's 45,000 square feet. The construction represents an investment of $47.8 million. Plans are to add an additional 270 people to the payroll at a cost of $16.7 million.
Currently the company pays $1.5 million in real estate and property taxes. An additional $1.4 million will be paid during the course of the abatement.
The council also approved a $1,75 million bond ordinance for the acquisition and rehabilitation of Cambridge House Nursing Home, 300 E. Prairie St. The facility, formerly known as Prairie View Nursing Home, is being bought by National Assistance Bureau Inc., an Indiana corporation.
Although issued by the city, there is "no obligation on the part of the city, any taxing unit or municipality," according to city attorney Mike Valentine.
The board also:
• Approved three annexation ordinances: 40 acres owned by Matthew and Sarah Fluke, south of CR 75N and west of CR 175E, which will be effective Nov. 1, barring remonstrance. The property will be zoned R-1, residential; 4.34 acres owned by Betty Hetler, west of CR 350N and Ind. 15N, which will be effective Nov. 1, barring remonstrance. The property will be zoned C-3, arterial commercial district; and the Uzmez Inc. and Charlotte Piper properties along U.S. Old 30 west known as Wilby's and Subway, which will be effective Oct. 1, barring remonstrance.
• Approved a fiscal plan establishing services to the Hetler property and another for services to the Uzmez Inc./Piper properties.
The next three city council meetings are Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. for a public hearing on the 2005 budget; Sept. 7 a regular meeting at 7 p.m.; and Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
City council members are George Clemens, Jeff Grose, Bob Morrison, Jerry Patterson, Bill Rhoades, Charlie Smith and Joe Thallemer. Clemens was absent.
