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 state standards.

Two grant-related approvals were also recorded for the courts: the council granted permission to apply for a reentry court grant through the Indiana Office of Court Services; a presenter said the county previously asked for “about a 170” and received “110” last year (the transcript does not specify units). The council approved the application request.

Several personnel and salary ordinance changes were approved: a probation officer salary amendment (stated amount $81,719.40); a conservation program field technician salary adjustment retroactive to March 10 (stated amount $53,479); and an unspecified replacement hire at a higher experience-level wage for soil and water duties. The council also approved the reappointment of Mark Kaylor to a four-year term on the Lakeland Regional Sewer District board.

All motions were made, seconded and approved by voice vote as recorded in the transcript; specific roll-call vote tallies were not listed in the meeting text provided.

Votes at a glance - Transfer to fund CoStar subscription for commercial appeals: Motion approved (motion made by Lehi; second by Kimberly). Fee described as about $11,400 annually for two seats; funding source reassessment/perpetuation fund. Vote tally: not specified in transcript. - Approval to apply for State of Indiana GIS Office grant (Next Gen 9-1-1 seed grant, up to $30,000): Motion approved (motion by Kim; second by Dave). Vote tally: not specified. - Approval to apply for Indiana Office of Court Services reentry court grant (annual reapplication): Motion approved (motion by Kathy; second by Delan). Transcript notes prior request and award amounts but not precise units; vote tally: not specified. - Salary ordinance amendment for a probation officer ($81,719.40): Motion approved (motion by Kim; second by Rachel). Vote tally: not specified. - Conservation program field technician salary amendment (retroactive to March 10; $53,479): Motion approved (motion by Kathy; second by Dylan). Vote tally: not specified. - Reappointment of Mark Kaylor to Lakeland Regional Sewer District (term to April 2029): Motion approved (motion by Rachel; second by Dave). Vote tally: not specified. - Approval of minutes from Feb. 13 meeting: Motion approved (motion by Kim; second by Kathy). Vote tally: not specified.

Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: Presenters described purpose and expected benefits for several items (CoStar to support appeals; GIS grant to improve 9-1-1 data; reentry grant to support court reentry services). Questions from council focused on use, recurring cost and whether neighboring counties use the same software. - Direction/assignment: Council granted permission to apply for the two state grants and approved budget transfers and salary-ordinance amendments. - Formal action: All actions above were approved by voice vote as recorded in the transcript.

Clarifying details from the meeting - CoStar subscription: described in the meeting as approximately $11,400 annually for two users; funding to come from reassessment/perpetuation funds this year, then added as a separate line in next year’s budget. - GIS grant: State of Indiana GIS Office seed grant, up to $30,000, no local match required; intended to add required Next Gen 9-1-1 fields to address points and road centerline layers. - Reentry court grant: presenter stated last year the county asked for “about a 170” and received “110” (transcript does not specify units). - Salary changes: probation officer salary listed as $81,719.40; conservation field tech salary listed as $53,479 and made retroactive to March 10.

What was not specified - The transcript does not include roll-call vote tallies for any of the approved items. - For the reentry grant, the transcript does not specify whether the numbers referenced were dollars or thousands of dollars; transcript language quoted as given.

Ending The council approved the administrative and personnel items with voice votes. Several presenters said the approvals are intended to reduce long-term costs (CoStar) or to meet state technical standards (GIS). Council members signaled continued monitoring of county budgets as state tax-reform legislation proceeds at the legislature.