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Kosciusko County council approves traffic‑enforcement and opioid grant applications, reauthorizes recovery program funding
Summary
Council granted permission to apply for a $58,000 CHIRP traffic‑enforcement grant and an opioid‑related equipment grant, and approved reapplying for a K21 recovery grant after officials reported low recidivism in the county recovery program.
The Kosciusko County Council on the evening’s agenda approved multiple grant applications tied to public safety and reentry services, including a $58,000 traffic enforcement application and an opioid‑fund request to help buy a body scanner for the jail.
Mike Mulligan asked the council for permission to apply for the 2026–27 CHIRP traffic enforcement grant, saying, “they're asking for permission to apply for the trip, grant, the amount of $58,000, which is a reimbursable grant,” to fund seatbelt enforcement, DUI efforts and school‑bus stop enforcement. The council voted to approve the application.
Sheriff’s Office leaders and Chief Deputy Chris McCann described a separate opioid‑fund application to cover remaining costs for a body scanner for the jail, with commissioners having already approved committing part of the opioid funds. The council granted permission to pursue the opioid grant and to use opioid‑designated funds if needed.
The council also approved reapplying for a K21 grant that supports the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program (KCRP). Sheriff’s staff and program staff reported what they characterized as strong results: resource navigator Shauna Wallen said the program has engaged roughly 160 people since it began and that 13 of those have returned to the jail. “This program ... is working,” she said. Council members praised the results and authorized the K21 application so the county can continue funding the recovery navigator position and related services.
Officials noted the CHIRP grant is reimbursable, meaning expenses would be paid after the work is completed and reimbursed by the grant. The sheriff’s office and county staff said the opioid grant sought is an advanced application tied to opioid‑designated funds and that the county’s opioid committee would review the request on Thursday. No budget appropriation from the county general fund was requested for these items; staff said the awards would be implemented with grant or designated opioid funds.
The meeting also included a routine commissary report for the first quarter of 2026; staff presented the figures and council members had no substantive questions.
Next steps: staff will submit the CHIRP and opioid grant applications and report back if awards are received; the county will reapply to K21 to sustain the KCRP navigator position and related services.
