Attorney Jay Rigdon, representing the North Webster Community Public Library, addresses the Kosciusko County Council Thursday night, Nov. 8.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council gave the North Webster Community Public Library permission to raise funds and spend money it already has in order to build a new building.

At the regular monthly meeting of the council Thursday night, Nov. 8, the panel heard a presentation from Jay Rigdon, attorney for the library’s board of trustees. Rigdon said the library is seeking to sell a bond, as well as spend some money it had already saved in order to build itself a new home.

“Basically what we’re looking for tonight is approval of borrowing expenditures for a new library building in the town of North Webster,” said Rigdon. “Those of you who are familiar with this, I apologize for reviewing this, but the library currently rents out the northern end of the community center.”

The community center is located in a building that was originally North Webster High School, and which later became the elementary school facility. Today, according to Rigdon, the building houses not only the town’s community center but also serves as the home for the libary. The south end of the building, he said, is in a state of disrepair.

“What we plan to do is tear down what is essentially the south end of that building,” Rigdon said. “It’s the oldest portion, the original portion of the high school. They’re at the point now, where they’re going to have to spend some money if it stays up the way it is, simply for safety purposes. So, the library and the community center have come together to try to provide that opportunity for a new library within the town.”

According to Rigdon, the community center will give away the portion of the building to be razed. “That property will be transferred to us and we will build a new building that will have many connections, including a shared parking lot.”

Rigdon told the council that the library board would seek a bond of no more than $4.62 million and would also use $380,000 that is currently available in the library’s reserve fund. He said with an estimated total cost of $5 million, it would be likely that the cost could come in well less than that. He added that in the end, the pinch to taxpayers could be minimal.

“The impact of this on the average taxpayer in Tippecanoe Township, right now, we’re estimating about the cost of a hard back book every year.”

Rigdon presented the council with three resolutions, one giving the library board bonding authority of up to $4.62 million; one resolution that would give permission for the library to use money raised in a bond for the building project; and one giving permission for the library to also use the money from its reserve fund.

Rigdon said when the new library is built, the new facility would greatly enhance the area.

“It’s not just a win-win for the parties, it’s a win-win-win proposition for the parties,” he said.

In other business, the council:

• Approved appropriation adjustments for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department totaling $6,058.40.
• Approved additional appropriations for Rick Shepherd with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department for DUI grant salaries totaling $25,000.
• Approved a transfer request from Ann Torpy of $500 for overtime pay during the election.
• Approved transfer requests from Anna Bailey with Community Corrections totaling $8,500.
• Approved additional appropriations for the county highway department totaling $45,000.
• Approved a salary ordinance amendment requested by Judge David Cates.
• Heard a budget breakdown by Nicole Wallick with KCODE for 2019.
• Approved and signed an agreement between the county and Kosciusko County Solid Waste Management District for services from County Auditor Michelle Puckett.