Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine presenting the Phil D. Hochestetler Memorial Scholarship award to Krystal Neely (Photos by Michelle Reed)

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Commissioners met today, June 14, to discuss nonprofit budgets and present awards.

Assistant Highway Superintendent Stephen Moriarty accepting the Master Road Builder award from Scott Tilden, county highway superintendent; Back row, from left; Kosciusko County Commissioner President Ron Truex and Vice-president Brad Jackson

The first award was the Phil D. Hochestetler Memorial Scholarship, which was presented by Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine and awarded to Krystal Neeley, of Etna Green. The other recipient of the scholarship was Kyle Babb, of Syracuse. Babb was not at the meeting today. The scholarship is for students who are pursuing a degree in criminal justice.

Scott Tilden presented an award to Stephen Moriarty, assistant superintendent of Kosciusko County Highway Department, who is now a Master Road builder. There are only 38 masters in Indiana.

Dr. Nate Bosch, director of Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College, presented the commissioners with an update on the Center for Lakes & Streams. Bosch stated that the Kosciusko County Lakes contribute over $313 million annually to the local economy. Lake related traffic (Food/dining, auto/gas) brings in $147,661 annually and lake specific traffic (boat sales, boat manufacturing) brings in $150,722 annually.

Nonprofit organizations gave budget presentations:

• Kosciusko County Historical Society asked for a slight increase in budget to help with elevator maintenance.
• Cardinal Corporate Vice President Randy Hall, mentioned the rising cost of medical care and wage pressure. Cardinal Services head KABS, community living and headstart programs. Hall also asked for a slight increase in budget.
• Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice Administrator Rick Paczkowski, help the elderly and the disabled stay in their homes instead of institutionalized healthcare. Paczkowski is also asking for a slight increase.
• Tracie Hodson, Beaman Home Executive Director, asked for funds to hire a certified food service person and for help with telephone and internet costs. The WiFi would be used for women living in the shelter to complete online college courses or to fill out applications for a job search.
• David Neff, board president council of aging, talked of the things that have changed since he took over in February of 2015. Neff told the commissioners there has been an improved accounting system, there are now board term limits and the bylaws have been updated. The Council on Aging offers rides for seniors, mobile meals, wellness checks and helps seniors make community connections.
• Darla McCammon, executive director of the Animal Welfare League, talked of how pets help people. She said children who live in a home with pets are less likely to have allergies, pets help boost the immune system, helps with stress and anxiety and those who have had a heart attack are less likely to have a second one with a pet in the home. McCammon told the commissioners they were the main source of funding for the animal shelter. She also mentioned that all animals are spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter.
• Bowen Center CEO Kurt Carlson, mentioned this is the 55th anniversary year of the Bowen Center. In the last year the Bowen Center responded to 31 major crises, seven of those in Kosciusko County. Carlson told the commissioners of the addiction problem the county has.
• Jeremy Reiman, St. Joe River Basin, gave an update on the water quality testing is going.

All the organizations that asked for budget increases will go to the next Kosciusko County Council meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, July 14, where the requests will be put to a vote.

The next Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting will be 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 28.