County Attorney Chad Miner

KOSCIUSKO — Tuesday, March 20, at the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting, County Attorney Chad Miner presented a resolution and contracts related to the establishment of a regional sewer district in the Tippecanoe Lake area.

Miner presented the resolution to hire Ice-Miller, Indianapolis, Umbaugh and Associates, Mishawaka, and Jones Petry Rafinski, Elkhart, contingent on additional appropriations, not to exceed $145,000. The resolution will be presented to the Kosciusko County Council in April.

Miner said if commissioners would pass the resolution and sign the contracts at today’s meeting, he would hold onto the contracts until additional appropriations are approved.

“This way, if everything does pass the council, we wouldn’t have to wait until your next meeting to get things moving,” Miner explained. Commissioners approved the resolution and contracts.

County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden had several items on today’s agenda. The first was a temporary road closure permit. Tilden explained that this permit was requested due to a 5K/10K event being planned from 6-8 p.m. Friday, May 18, by Tippy Creek Winery. The areas affected include Armstrong Road between CR 200E and CR 300E, CR 300E from Armstrong Road to CR 700N, CR 700N from CR 200E to CR 300E and CR 200E from CR 700N to just south of Armstrong Road. Lindsey Richcreek, operations and marketing manager for Tippy Creek Winery, advised that TCW partners with a charity for each of their 5K/10K events as a way to give back to the local community.

Tilden presented a second temporary road closure permit, this one requested by Rob Bishop. The permit is for the area of County Farm Road, from CR 400S to CR 700S, for the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest, scheduled from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, May 19.

Two engineering agreements were submitted by Tilden. Both agreements were between Kosciusko Board of Commissioners and USI Consultants from Indianapolis. The first agreement was related to the bridge 98 project to start the engineering process for replacement of that structure. Tilden said this is at the outlet at Hoffman Lake and advised there are currently culvert pipes under the road. The agreement specifies the cost is not to exceed $99,430.

The second agreement was for replacement of a small structure carrying Bruner Road over Maggie Ditch, south of SR 25.

“Right now there are three culverts in there,” said Tilden. “This will fix it long term.” Tilden said this construction would most likely not take place until 2019 or early 2020 is not to exceed $68,540.

Lastly, Tilden informed commissioners that he would like to replace a 1997 John Deere wheel loader used by the county highway department. The county has a fleet of five wheel loaders, with the 1997 being the oldest. The wheel loader is showing signs of failing in places. Tilden said that through the National Joint Powers of Alliance Program, there is an opportunity for a 43 percent discount on the purchase of a John Deere 544K Loader, with trade-in of the 1997 wheel loader. The price of the 544K loader is $148,379.03. With trade in from the 1997 loader, the amount of additional appropriations needed would be $130,000.

“With the permission of the commissioners, I would take the request for additional appropriations to the April meeting of the county council,” said Tilden. Commissioners gave approval for all items and requests submitted by Tilden.

Other News:

• County Administrator Marsha McSherry asked commissioners to approve an estimate submitted by BC Tile & Floor Covering, Syracuse, for new flooring and carpet in approximately eight rooms of the Health Department, located on the third floor of the courthouse. The amount of the estimate was $14,556. Commissioners approved this request.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 3.