Council approves grant applications, salary changes and reappointments; CoStar subscription funded

Kosciusko County Council voted at its meeting to approve several administrative items, including a transfer to fund a CoStar subscription for the county’s commercial appeals work, applications for state grants, salary ordinance amendments and a reappointment to the Lakeland Regional Sewer District.

The actions were taken by voice vote after brief presentations and questions; the transcript records motions, seconders and unanimous-sounding “all those in favor” calls but does not include roll-call tallies.

The council approved a transfer from a computer-equipment budget line to a new dues-and-subscriptions line to pay for a CoStar subscription intended to give the county’s commercial appraisal staff quicker access to lease, sales and rental data to support appeals work. The subscription was described in the meeting as an approximately $11,400 annual fee covering two users. Presenter Gail Chapman said the goal is to resolve more appeals at the county level and avoid higher legal and appraisal costs at the state level.

The council also approved applying for a State of Indiana GIS Office grant that will pay up to $30,000 to help counties update address points and road centerline layers to meet Next Generation 9-1-1 data requirements. Bill Holder, the presenter, said the grant is a seed award with no local match required and is intended to help counties bring required data fields up to…