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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Heckaman Honored One Nation Under God
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County looks at possible TIF district in Syracuse %\ /($+ 6$1'(5 6WDII :ULWHU A new tax increment financing district may be formed at the site of new development at a former golf course in Syracuse. At its meeting on Thursday, July 14, the Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission approved beginning the process of laying the groundwork to create a TIF district at the site of the former South Shore Golf Course. The purpose of such a district would be to capture new property taxes within the district and use that money to assist with the development at the former golf course. At the meeting, Jeff Dyson said he and his business partner Nathan Scherer are working to develop the area for residential and commercial use through South Shore Ventures LLC. Helping make the request for a TIF district was Kosciusko Economic Development Corp. CEO Alan Tio. Dyson provided more details on what he and Scherer hope to accomplish with the development. “My business partner and I decided that we wanted to put South Shore together as a community project to benefit the community as a whole,” said Dyson. “The M.O. be-
hind the whole thing is live, work, play. We wanted to create an opportunity for housing because there is a huge housing need in the community, like Alan said, between singlefamily homes, apartments, whether it be multi-family. “We also have a need for integrating the youth, so we have dedicated 20 acres of the overall property to Lakeland Youth Center. They’re going to be working with Boys and Girls Club to also create a facility for after-school activities and youth activities on the property,” continued Dyson. “We’re also integrating other parts of the community such as WACF (Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation) … walking trails and have beautification throughout the property. “And the final aspect of it is the commercial aspect where we can incorporate, whether it’s boutique shopping, whether it’s professional services,” said Dyson. “Those are still yet to be seen through, whether it’s developers or other people that have shared vision for the overall property.” No long-term decisions were made Thursday. The commission’s next meeting is 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom.
Three appointed to new Kosciusko County Park Board %\ '$9,' 6/21( 7LPHV 8QLRQ Three of the seats on Kosciusko County’s new park and recreation board have been filled after the auditor announced her one appointment and the county council voted on two others Thursday evening, July 14. County commissioners will announce and vote on their two appointments to the park board Tuesday, July 19. In May, the commissioners approved an ordinance creating the Kosciusko County Parks and Recreation Board, which is volunteer. At Thursday’s council meeting, County Auditor Michelle Puckett said the Park Board Committee met and went over the recommendations for members. As auditor, she said she has one appointment for a one-year term and her choice was Troy Turley, who has agreed to serve. Councilwoman Joni Truex said there were over 25 people who sought a position on the five-member board and she thanked each of them for applying. “We, as a committee, chose, and they have accepted, Aggie Sweeney as a Democratic representative, and Rob Bishop (Republican),” Truex said. Bishop will serve a four-year term and Sweeney will serve a twoyear term. Truex said Sweeney has a lot of experience, from grant writing to funding, discovering funding sources, management and supervision. Bishop is an avid cycler, Truex said. “Plus, he has a passion for the county, which Aggie does, too, but she’s
fairly new here,” she said. In another matter, the council also approved a 2022 salary ordinance amendment for the sheriff’s salary and made it clear it was not something they wanted to do, by a vote of 6-1. Councilman Mike Long voted against it. Sheriff Kyle Dukes was not at the meeting to present the amendment, but Puckett told the council she would answer any questions they might have about it. The maximum sheriff’s annual salary for July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022, was $164,950. With the salary ordinance amendment, the maximum sheriff’s annual salary for July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023, is $170,276. However, since Dukes did not win re-election in the primary, he will only receive wages through the end of the year. After the salary ordinance amendment was passed, the council approved the transfer of $2,130.32 from the sheriff’s approved holidays fund to the sheriff’s wages to fund the difference between what the council had budgeted to what was determined to be the sheriff’s new salary. “I don’t think we have any choice. I’ll make a motion to approve it,” Councilman Ernie Wiggins said on the transfer. It was seconded by Councilwoman Kathleen Groninger. “It’s not an option,” Councilwoman Sue Ann Mitchell stated. After the council’s meeting, Puckett explained, “Since our county sheriff is not paid by contract, he doesn’t have a contract with the county, so he has to be paid by Indiana code. So, Indiana code says he gets a certain percentage of the prosecutor’s salary. The state salaries — which the prosecutor is paid by the state — spans on a fiscal year, not a calendar year. So every year, July 1, those wages increase so then we have to come back and do a salary ordinance and transfer to cover that new increase that the state gives their employees.” In other business, the council approved: • An additional appropriation of $313,952 out of the rainy day fund for the communication radios. Updating the council on the public safety communications project, McSherry said, “I was up there on the north site last night. The shelContinued on page 2
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A few surprises at 4-H Sale of Champions 7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI The 4-H Livestock Auction culminates a year of work by 4-H’ers with livestock projects. It is here businesses and community members show their support financially for the hard work and efforts put in by the 4-H’ers. This year’s auction was held Friday, July 15. The total amount raised in this year’s auction was $484,845. Last year’s auction brought in $415.767. The Sale of Champions brought in $69,935. While a highlight is the Sale of Champions, where top dollars are donated by buyers, the fun part of the auction is the auctioning off of a kiss from the 4-H King and 4-H Queen. Each year the crowd enjoys some of the “scenes” created for these kisses — special treats for the winner, COVID distancing, smothering on the Chapstick and much more. This year had to top them all. The winner of the Queen’s Kiss from Alyssa Swanson wasn’t a relative or boyfriend. It was Carl, a young dairy calf, brought into the ring for the special honors. The kiss was purchased for $1,435 and will be split between the dairy and rabbit barns. Swanson is the daughter of Kelley and Eric Rollo. She will be a Continued on page 2
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Commissioners name Cusick, Metzger to county park board %\ /($+ 6$1'(5 6WDII :ULWHU The last two members of Kosciusko County’s new county park board have been set. At its meeting on Tuesday, July 19, Kosciusko County Commissioners approved Mike Cusick and Matt Metzger to serve on the board. Cusick has been appointed for four years and Metzger for two. Commissioners approved creating a county park board and department in May. The board is to consist of five members, with commissioners having the authority to appoint two. The rest of the board’s members include Rob Bishop and Aggie Sweeney, both appointed by the Kosciusko County Council; and Troy Turley, which Kosciusko County Auditor Michelle Puckett appointed. Bishop is to serve a four-year term, Sweeney for two years, and Turley for one year.
“We had a great turnout of individuals who wanted to serve (on) this board,” noted Kosciusko County Commissioners President Cary Groninger during Tuesday’s meeting. “I have talked with both these individuals. They’re excited about the opportunity to serve,” said Groninger regarding Cusick and Metzger. “They’re both very active in outdoor activities here in our county, have a heart for that. I think they would be great additions to the board that’s already been selected.” Nonprofit Funds Commissioners also approved recommending to the Kosciusko County Council the majority of nonprofits asking for annual funds from the county for their budgets receive a 4% increase in funding for 2023. The only exception would be the St. Joseph River Basin Commission. Commissioners noted Continued on page 2
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