County health staff urge boarding at 412 West Main; second Warsaw property faces possible demolition if no repairs by May 13

Kosciusko County health-department staff on April 15 told the county authority that the house at 412 West Main in Mentone has multiple unsecured openings and a sizeable roof hole and recommended boarding the structure to prevent further hazard.

At the hearing an agency official said staff counted five windows that were "unsecured or broken," noted an unsecured door and described "a big hole" in the roof that exposes the interior. The official said the property had been the subject of an order in October 2024 and that staff posted notices and mailed hearing notices; certified-mail return receipts were inconsistent, but the posted notice remains on file.

The authority discussed enforcement options: staff may order the property boarded and place the cost as a lien on the property's taxes, or, if the roof or other damage causes the structure to become unsafe, proceed with demolition and recover demolition expenses via the tax rolls. The agency official said the roof currently appears repairable but that the owner has not responded consistently, so boarding followed by a reissued notice is the recommended next step.

Staff said they could obtain boarding quotes "within a week" and advised the authority to specify roof holes and any structural repairs in the bid request so vendors price appropriately. The panel agreed that boarding costs for securing five windows and doors likely would not require a formal advertised bid but that the office should obtain multiple quotes for comparison. Once secured, staff will reissue notice and schedule a follow-up hearing as needed.

The hearing also reviewed a continued case at 48–58 East 600 South in Warsaw, near Sellers Lake. Agency staff said the owner requested additional time at the prior hearing, but inspectors now find no documented progress: photos and notes indicate both ends of the building are open and unsecured. Staff said they will "make every effort to contact" the owner and warned the authority that, absent documented repairs by May 13, they would be more inclined to move toward demolition, with resulting expenses placed on the owner's tax bill.

A member requested that the town clerk of Mentone receive copies of the proceedings and notices so the town is informed about the enforcement steps. The authority closed the April 15 hearing after confirming there were no further items to consider.

The authority did not record a formal vote during the April 15 session; next procedural steps are for staff to obtain boarding quotes for 412 West Main and to document contact with the owner of the Warsaw property before the May 13 follow-up date.