Kosciusko County commissioners approve library appointment, equipment contracts and $500,000 airport allocation

Kosciusko County commissioners approved a slate of administrative appointments, equipment contracts and funding allocations at their regular meeting.

County Administrator Marshall McSherry told the board that Larry Yeater had moved outside the Bell Memorial Public Library service area and recommended Tammy Stoneburner of Mentone to fill the remainder of Yeater’s term, which expires Dec. 31. The board approved Stoneburner’s appointment by voice vote.

McSherry also presented a J&K Communications quote of $14,379.26 to repair antennas, cabling, grounding and lightning protection at the county’s North Tower site, which staff said likely sustained wind damage. Commissioners approved the repair work; staff said the claim had been submitted to insurance and the deductible is $10,000.

County staff recommended and the board approved a package of insurance-renewal choices scheduled for the May 8 renewal: accept increases to the civil‑rights deductible (from $15,000 to $25,000) and the auto physical‑damage deductible (from $1,000 to $2,500) for the listed annual savings, while leaving the property deductible at its current $10,000 level. The expiring premium was stated as $18,951; staff reported estimated annual savings of about $49,559 for the civil‑rights change and $17,455 for the auto physical change.

Kosciusko County Recorder Dave Wright asked the board to adjust the recorder office’s copy fee; Wright said staff proposed moving the book‑copy fee from seven cents to ten cents per image (with the statutory maximum noted as an available option up to 20 cents) to better reflect costs and to accompany a planned personnel change from full‑time to part‑time. The board approved the fee adjustment.

Jerry Henry of Community Corrections requested two contract approvals. He said purchasing two additional Axon tasers would not require additional county funds because the office would transfer funds internally; the commissioners approved the purchase. Henry also requested switching the office’s body‑worn camera vendor from Digital Ally to Utility Associates to align with the sheriff’s department; the five‑camera, five‑year package was presented at roughly $22,000 and approved. Henry said using the same vendor simplifies footage review by judges and prosecutors.

Kristen Rude asked the board to approve required documents for Kosciusko Accessible Bus Service to finalize a 2027 INDOT federal/state grant application. The board approved the resolution, certifications and assurances needed for the May 15 grant deadline.

On economic development spending, commissioners approved a $500,000 allocation from EDIT funds for phase two of a three‑phase runway 09/27 repair project, consistent with a previously approved Memorandum of Understanding covering EDIT support for the airport.

The opioid committee recommended finishing the financing for a jail scanner; commissioners endorsed the committee’s recommendation to support the project cost to the tune of $115,000, using a combination of previously appropriated funds and the new support.

Votes at a glance - Tammy Stoneburner appointed to Bell Memorial Public Library board — approved by voice vote. - J&K Communications tower repair, $14,379.26 — approved by voice vote; insurance deductible $10,000 noted. - Insurance renewal/deductible adjustments (civil rights and auto physical‑damage increases; property deductible unchanged) — approved. - Recorder office book‑copy fee adjustment (proposed 7¢ → 10¢ per image) — approved. - Axon taser purchase (two units) — approved; paid via internal fund transfer. - Utility Associates body‑worn camera contract (five cameras, five years, ~$22,000) — approved. - CABS 2027 grant application documents — approved for submission. - Airport runway Phase 2: $500,000 EDIT allocation — approved. - Jail scanner financing support (opioid committee recommendation), total support cited $115,000 — approved.

The board took no roll‑call tallies in the transcript; routine actions were approved by voice vote. Several administrative presenters emphasized cost‑saving or operational benefits of the items approved. The meeting adjourned with the next session scheduled for May 19.