Kosciusko Commissioners Hear From Non-Profits
At the Kosciusko County Commissioner’s meeting on June 2, the commissioner heard budget presentations from area non-profits.
Among the organizations present were the Kosciusko County Historical Society, the Kosciusko County 4-H Council, Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation, Cardinal Center, Home Care and Hospice, Beaman Home, the Council on Aging, Animal Welfare League, Bowen Center and St. Joe River Basin.
The historical society requested the same budget for 2016 as it requested in 2015. Jerry Black and Sally Hogan reported that the society has increased donations and membership in 2015. Hogan also reported that a new ceiling was installed in the research library at the Old Jail Museum. The society’s website also gets hits from all over the world. Curiously, a significant number of hits come from South America. Hogan stated she was pleased with the community involvement.
Mindy Wise appeared before the commissioner representing the 4-H Council. “We thank you for your continued support,” she said. She mentioned the annual 4-H fair, held this year from July 13 to 18 in Warsaw.
She says 4-H has been working on outreach. It has had a presence at First Friday events. It started a program called Girl Power, which reaches out to at-risk young ladies and fosters positive relationships between them and adults. She also reported the robotics program is going well; students will show at the county fair and will also compete at the Indiana State Fair. Some of the students have had the opportunity to show livestock nationally.
George Robertson, representing KEDCo, reported that in the last 5 years unemployment dropped from 13.5 percent to 3.5 percent. By the middle of the month, Robertson expects that the county will have announced 500 news jobs and $40 million in new capital. Industry is also diversifying in the county; most of the new business are not orthopedic companies.
“We’re rebuilding the economy,” Robertson said. “We face a lot of challenges, and we’re ready.”
“The need is always greater than what we’re allocated,” said Jane Wear of Cardinal Center. Cardinal Center is requesting a 2 percent budget increase for 2016. Wear reported that there are currently 50 open positions at Cardinal Center. There are 260 children in the Head Start program, and a program has just been established in Pierceton.
“This year Ryan Mishler really went to bat for us,” Wear said. Mishler recovered some state funding that was cut several years ago. Unfortunately, Cardinal was hit with an insurance increased. “Everything we got back went out the window for medical insurance.
Rick Paczkowski for Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice reported the organization was requesting a 2 percent increase. “I want to thank you for all the support you’ve given me and the agency,” he said. “We can’t pay like hospitals and other place. That’s why I’m here.”
Home Care and Hospice provides care for the local elderly and disabled. Paczkowski said the state can’t provide enough money, and the program is backlogged for two years. “The increase is going to help us,” Paczkowski said. “We’re going to be there for the people. I’m hoping for continued support for the agency, for the people.”
Tracie Hodson came to report for the Beaman Home. The Beaman Home has been county supported for 30 years, and 2016 will be a big year for the organization. The new facility on Parker Street is expected to be completed in the next four to six weeks. A residential is expected to open near the end of the year. Hodson said the Beaman Home wants to hire two new positions, crisis desk specialists, at approximately $15 an hour.
“We’re asking for more funding,” reported David Neff of the Council on Aging. He said that funding from United Way and Real Services were cut. The Council on Aging offers rides for seniors, mobile meals (26,000 served last year) and wellness checks, tax services, legal services and makes community connections.
Darla McCammon of the Animal Welfare League appeared before the commissioners. “We do need to continue to receive funds for our general services,” she said. The AWL is in the middle of the capital campaign drive to fund a new facility, which has detracted from general funding. McCammon did report that the AWL helps all kinds of people, all over the county, not to mention saving the county government $370,000 by providing its services.
Bowen Center CEO Kurt Carlson reported, “we served over 5,800 Kosciusko County residents last year.” He said the majority of those clients had an annual family income of $30,000 or less. Bowen Center is also expanding its services, building a food bank/thrift store/ storm shelter, which is expected to be completed later this month.
Zach Dripps of the St. Joe River Basin said the organization started a water quality testing program last year. It helped organize a technical resource shop for contractors working with storm drains and is developing a filter strip law education program. The organization is not requesting a budget increase.