Pictured, from left, Kosciusko Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger, January Veteran of the Month Norman Metzler, Commissioner President Bob Conley and Commissioner Brad Jackson.

KOSCIUSKO — Tuesday, Jan. 9, Kosciusko County judges Michael Reed and David Cates attended the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting to request that the commissioners accept and sign a proposed resolution regarding Senate Bill 126, which had been submitted by State Senator Randy Head on their behalf.

“The proposal is to create a new superior court and actually add a fourth judge to the existing superior court here in Kosciusko County,” said Reed.

The resolution will be presented before a judiciary committee in Indianapolis at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 10, where Reed will be testifying.

Reed informed commissioners that new information obtained in a 2017 time study of weighted caseload assessment showed that the judicial officer need in Kosciusko County in 2017 was 5.36.

“As you know, we have four and are hoping to get a fifth,” said Reed.

The commissioners accepted and signed the resolution.

Attorney Scott Reust spoke on behalf of Friends of Lake Tippy, an organization comprised of Tippecanoe Lake residents who are against the formation of a conservancy district.

“I filed our petition requesting that you form a committee to study the necessity and feasibility of a regional sewer district in the Tippecanoe Lake area,” said Reust, asking that the commissioners approve the petition.

Attorney Chad Miner said, “It’s the next logical step to go through the process of figuring out which type of sewer district makes sense,” adding that he had been assured that the people listed on the petition as potential committee members have all indicated their willingness to be included in the process.

The commissioners approved the petition for implementation of a study committee.

Other news:

• Bob Conley was approved as the 2018 Kosciusko Commissioner president and Cary Groninger as the 2018 vice-president.
• Dewart Lake resident Norman Metzler was honored as January Veteran of the Month and presented with a plaque.
• County Administrator Marsha McSherry informed commissioners that two appointments were needed for the 2018 Regional Economical Development District Board. McSherry recommended Max Courtney for the private sector position and Rob Parker for the position required to be held by the executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, stating that both of these gentlemen are currently serving on the board. This was approved.
• A bid opening for a tandem dump truck for the Kosciusko County Highway Department was held. Bids were received from Trans Chicago Truck Group, Gary; Stoops Freightliner, Fort Wayne; and Selling International, Fort Wayne. County Highway Department Superintendent Scott Tilden requested permission to review the bids and bring his recommendation back to commissioners at the next meeting, which the commissioners approved.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23.