Council approves several grant applications and budget moves; rainy-day funds tapped for Justice Building work
Loading...
Summary
The council authorized applying for multiple grants — including a Bridge 145 FHWA NOFA, a trail accelerator grant, and a $40,000 court reform grant — and approved a $172,000 rainy-day appropriation for Justice Building engineering and a $30,000 transfer to legal services; the council also certified a $24,000 CASA match.
Kosciusko County Council members approved a set of funding requests and administrative moves that include grant applications, a rainy-day appropriation, and a transfer between budget lines.
Bridge and trail grants: Steve sought permission to apply for a Federal Highway 8-20 NOFA for Bridge 145 (construction targeted for 2031). He described the total project ask as $3,850,000 with a local share of $814,000 for engineering and construction; the council approved the application and authorized a financial-commitment letter indicating the county could provide the required 20% match if necessary. Rob Bishop asked for permission to apply for a $20,000 accelerator grant (with a $20,000 required match) to study a trail between Winona Lake and Pierceton/Pearson; he reported $7,500 in private commitments and letters of support from Winona Lake and Pearson (Pearson pledged $5,000). The council approved the motion to proceed with the trail grant application.
Courtroom and court reform grants: Eric requested permission to apply for a 2026 court reform grant (described as approximately $40,000) to modernize Judge McGrath’s courtroom AV and technology. Judges including Judge Bauer said the circular courtrooms and aging equipment hamper reliable presentations; the council approved applying for the grant. Separately, council certified that the 2026 Superior 1 and 4 budgets included a $24,000 local match for CASA (court-appointed volunteer program) and approved that certification.
Budget moves and rainy-day funds: Marcia requested a $172,000 appropriation from the rainy day fund to pay engineering and consulting (Reese, Janney & Elsner) to investigate and begin addressing a soffit failure at the Justice Building; $69,000 was identified as directly tied to the failure and insurance efforts are ongoing. The council approved the rainy-day appropriation. Marcia also asked to transfer $30,000 from CCD Land and Improvements into legal services to cover increased legal consulting tied to economic development projects; the council approved the transfer.
Chair and staff noted several of the grants are reimbursement grants and that any spending would follow standard procurement and reimbursement processes. Council directed staff to prepare signed letters where required and to ensure grant matches respect the county’s policy on using tax dollars.
Votes at a glance: - Approve application: Bridge 145 FHWA NOFA (total ask $3,850,000; local share $814,000) — motion approved (SEG 152–201). - Approve application: Trail accelerator grant ($20,000 request; $20,000 match) — motion approved (SEG 437–563). - Approve application: Court reform grant (approx. $40,000) — motion approved (SEG 574–656). - Approve appropriation: $172,000 rainy-day fund for Justice Building engineering — motion approved (SEG 205–237). - Approve transfer: $30,000 from CCD Land & Improvements to legal services — motion approved (SEG 278–306). - Certify budget match: $24,000 county match for CASA — motion approved (SEG 1019–1040).
