Pictured, from left, Kosciusko County Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger, County Commissioner Brad Jackson, Kosciusko County Councilwoman Joni Truex and Area Planning Director Dan Richard.

KOSCIUSKO —  Matt Sandy, assistant planning director for the county, presented two ordinance amendments at the Kosciusko Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, Oct. 16.

Sandy informed commissioners that the updated ordinance amendments relate to wind farms and solar power. During the regular monthly meeting of the Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission earlier this month, the APC recommended approval of amending ordinances in the county governing wind farms, micro wind systems and solar energy systems. The amended ordinances better define permitted uses, and setback requirements have been increased for wind farms. Both amended ordinances were approved by commissioners. 

Sandy, along with Leah Thill from the Michigan Area Coucil of Governments, requested approval of an EPA Brownfields Assessment grant. A resolution related to this was signed last year. Sandy said MACOG is moving forward with this again and requested that a new resolution be approved and signed. The grant is applied for through MACOG with Marshall, Kosciusko and Elkhart counties to continue with environmental studies on sites that may be contaminated. Commissioners approved and signed the resolution.

Lieutenant Rick Shepherd from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department presented an Operation Pull-Over grant request and a DUI enforcement grant request through the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for renewal. Both were approved

Commissioners approved and signed a 2019 inter-local agreement for terminal services data and an updated resolution for ADA compliance submitted by County Administrator Marsha McSherry. 

McSherry and Kosciusko Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger reported that findings from a rate study performed on meters show that usage at the justice building is at a point to qualify for a reduced rate per kilowatt hour. According to Groninger, this will result in a savings of approximately $2,500 per month. 

Four bids regarding county snow plowing were received and opened at today’s meeting. Earlier this month, Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Scott Tilden said contracted snow removal services are used for approximately 70 miles throughout the county. Bids were received from SiteWorx Services LLC, Warsaw; Mann’s Paving & Seal Coating LLC, Warsaw; Lee Batalis Construction & Excavating, Inc., Warsaw; and Steve’s Hauling, Excavating & Snow Removal, Warsaw. The bids will be reviewed, and Tilden will offer his recommendation at the Oct. 30 commissioners meeting.

Other News:

• Kosciusko County Health Department Administrator Robert Weaver informed commissioners that the health department board has two members whose terms will expire in December. The two members are Dr. Thomas Howard and Dr. Dennis Woodward. According to Weaver, both men have expressed a desire to be reappointed. Commissioners approved this.
• Commissioners approved and signed an updated contract with USI Consultants, Indianapolis, for the bridge 227 project. McSherry advised that the Indiana Department of Transportation requested two revisions to the contract. 
• KABS Transportation General Manager Amanda Landis requested that commissioners approve a KABS 2019 INDOT grant in order to accept allotted funds from state and federal government. This was approved.
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30.