Alan Tio, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. executive director, asked the county commissioners Tuesday morning for an additional $50,000 this year to help complete some projects.
Not sure the county has the money to spare, the commissioners took no action, at least for now.
Tio said, “At KEDCo, we’re not lacking for things to do. We made a presentation a couple of months ago asking (you and the council) to consider additional funding for 2019.”
He discussed the variety of projects KEDCo has undertaken and its goals. He said the additional funding would be a “one-time request” to help get KEDCo moving forward on its projects and into next year.
KEDCo’s mission is “to convene, build, and show the area’s economic growth resources,” according to its website at www.kosciuskoedc.com. It supports “businesses at every stage by helping to navigate opportunities of every size.”
Commissioner Cary Groninger said he appreciated all of Tio’s efforts, while Commissioner Brad Jackson said his first question was if the funds were available.
“I know it seems like our old buildings keep surprising us,” Groninger said. “I know we did look hard for next year to try and increase that funding, but I know for this year we’re going to be a little tight.”
He said the commissioners could take another look at KEDCo’s formal request “a little later in the cycle and see where we’re at.”
Jackson told Tio he appreciated everything he’s done. “I know you’ve really got in there and taken the bull by the horns and got a lot accomplished.”
In other business, the commissioners approved:
• An engineering agreement between the commissioners and USI Consultants of Indianapolis for small structure inspections for 2020 and 2021. The cost is not to exceed $67,500. There are 475 small structures in the county that need inspected, and 50 low-rating structures.
“This covers the structures that are between 3 feet span and just under 20 feet span,” Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden said.
• An engineering agreement between the county and VS Engineering Consultant of Indianapolis for engineering services for Kosciusko County bridge 161 replacement, carrying traffic on CR 200S over Walnut Creek.
The project was awarded federal funds in 2018, and the contract amount with VS Engineering is not to exceed $258,200. Tilden said the county will be reimbursed 80% of the cost by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The bridge is on the east side of Ind. 15.
• Reducing the speed from 55 mph to 35 mph for CR 450N from where it intersects with Brown Road to where it intersects with Sullivan Road, as requested by Tilden.
• Accepting Crow’s Nest Drive into the county maintenance system. It is in the Crow’s Nest subdivision in the northeast corner of the county in Turkey Creek Township just off CR 1100N near Turkey Creek Road. It is 505 feet long.
• IT Administrator Bob Momeyer’s request to go ahead with two server-upgrade projects for $13,820 and $17,829.
“You may not be aware of it, but come January 2020, several of Microsoft’s operating systems, including server 2008, become unsupported and that’s not a situation we want to continue in,” he said.
One county system being upgraded operates all of the software for the 911 Central Dispatch Center, jail, sheriff’s department, road officers and more. That software was installed in 2012, but the hardware doesn’t need replaced.
The other system being upgraded is for the recording of all calls that come into Central Dispatch and other communications. The hardware needs replaced, and will include software.
• Emergency Management Director Ed Rock’s request to submit for the Emergency Management Program Guidance salary reimbursement, which will be between $40,000 to $50,000, and the EMPG Competitive, which allows Rock some additional funds for work that needs done in emergency management. The EMPG Competitive totals $5,000.
The EMPG salary reimbursement is a reimbursement to the county for the funds the county has already expended for Rock’s and EMA Administrative Assistant Cari Williams’ wages.
Additionally, he said the State Homeland Security Program grant is coming up and that will be for up to about $100,000.
Rock said the county has had those grants “for years and years.”
• The 2020 Interlocal Agreement for Terminal Services Data, which is an agreement with all the outlying law enforcement agencies in the county, as requested by County Administrator Marsha McSherry.
• The 2020 nonprofit budget agreements, as requested by the auditor’s office. The commissioners also signed the agreements.
The next commissioners meeting is at 9 a.m. Oct. 15.
