Kosciusko County commissioners approve multiple vendor agreements, bridge grant application and health MOUs

Kosciusko County commissioners unanimously approved a string of vendor agreements and routine actions at their meeting, authorizing a jail classification software license, an amendment to the Securus Technologies tablet agreement for inmate discovery access, a Canopy Workforce Solutions HR contract, and a month-to-month bandwidth upgrade with Zayo. They also authorized applying for a federal bridge replacement grant for Bridge 145 and accepted six Health First memoranda of understanding.

The meeting record shows the sheriff’s office asked for approval of a jail classification contract to better place inmates, reduce disciplinary issues and limit liability; commissioners approved the request by voice vote. Public Defender Jack asked commissioners to approve an amendment to the Securus Technologies agreement so public defenders could use tablets to view discovery materials, conduct virtual client communications and accept e-signatures. “We believe it will significantly cut down our time, speed the process up, and hopefully help us achieve our goal of getting inmates processed through and getting their cases heard or disposed of in a quicker fashion,” Jack said; the commission approved the amendment by motion.

County system administration presented two technology items: a Canopy Workforce Solutions agreement to modernize HR application processing (to be paid from next year’s software budget) and a ratification of a Zayo month-to-month service at $1,075 per month to upgrade bandwidth; both were accepted. County Assessor Gail presented a revised Nexus Ltd service agreement adjusting an hourly rate from $112.50 to $125.00 for 2026 work, which commissioners approved.

Highway staff requested permission to apply for a federal bridge replacement grant for Bridge 145 (located on 600 West over Trimble Creek). Project presenters listed a total estimated project cost of $3,850,000 and stated an estimated county share of $814,000 under an 80/20 cost split if the grant is awarded; commissioners authorized filing the application and sending a letter of support.

The highway department also read line items for the 2026 annual highway supplies bid (limestone, diesel, HMA base, treated timber, guardrail, concrete pipe, gravel, asphalt mix and others). Commissioners took the bids under advisement and asked staff to return with recommendations in two weeks.

Bob Weaver of the county health department presented six Health First MOUs covering services such as a nurse practitioner for a resident shelter, reimbursement for an external defibrillator, Maternal Child Health Network testing and case review, LiveWell core functions (obesity, heart disease, diabetes), mobile mammography in partnership with Parkview, and a Warsaw Community Schools health liaison; the commissioners approved the MOUs.

County Auditor Alyssa summarized recent legislative change cited in the meeting as HEA 1392 effective July 1, 2025, allowing FIT and CVET proceeds to be placed in any legally permitted county fund. She recommended depositing those distributions into the general fund; commissioners approved directing the auditor to deposit FIT and CVET funds to the county general fund. Alyssa said the combined amounts discussed were “less than $70,000 a year,” with recent settlements each in the roughly $60,000 range.

On transit matters, a transit representative explained that the state’s office handling transit-funded vehicle titles will hold titles physically under the 5339 program. Commissioners authorized the county auditor’s office to release 12 vehicle titles to the county’s transit partner to coordinate title transfers with the state agency. Commissioners clarified that, per the presentation, this represents physical possession of titles for program compliance and not a transfer of ownership, insurance, or other property rights.

Also on the agenda were routine approvals of claims and minutes, a veteran-of-the-month recognition for Sherman Lehman, and community announcements, including the county’s first reentry court graduation and a veterans Thanksgiving turkey giveaway. Most motions were approved by voice vote with commissioners indicating “aye.”

The commission closed by wishing attendees a happy Thanksgiving and setting the next meeting date (noted in the record as Dec. 2).