Kosciusko County Council on Nov. 14 approved paying the surveyor a statutory corner‑section allowance covering calendar years 2022, 2023 and 2024 for a total of $29,007.96, using funds from the county’s corner-perpetuity account.

Background and legal basis: County staff reported that state law requires a county to pay surveyor corner allowances and that a two-year statute of limitations limits how far the county may go back to make payments. Staff recommended starting the retroactive payments from Jan. 1, 2022, through 2024 to comply with the statute. The presenter said the allowance had not been previously paid in recent years because the practice was not separated from salary lines and county payroll records lacked the separate allowance entries.

Funding and mechanics: County staff said the corner-perpetuity fund holds adequate balance for the payment and no additional appropriation was needed; staff estimated about $365,000 in the fund with around $67,000 available for use before year-end. The council voted to approve the payment and set the start date at Jan. 1, 2022.

Why it matters: The action brings county practice into compliance with state statute and clarifies future surveyor compensation accounting. Council discussion noted the allowance applies to licensed and non‑licensed surveyors with different amounts.