KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — During yesterday evening’s Kosciusko County Council meeting, numerous presentations were brought before the board, both to educate and to request financial support. Among these were requests from local officials and preliminary presentations by Kosciusko County non-profit organizations.

Initial requests included a request from Bob Weaver of the Kosciusko County Health Department. Weaver requested approval to purchase a new, medical-grade refrigerator to store vaccines and medications utilized by the health department.

According to Weaver, over the recent July 4, weekend, a fridge at the health department spent 35 hours out of temperature. The department was forced to notify the state and vaccine manufacturer of the issue and some of the vaccines, which are expensive according to Weaver, had to be destroyed.

Weaver stated in the past, the department has utilized good, domestic refrigerators to store supplies. However, the new refrigerator would allow for constant monitoring of temperatures at approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The unit would measure 26 cubic feet and would be similar to a pharmacy-grade unit. Cost of the 600 pound unit and installation is $8,000. The refrigerator will be purchased from a Noblesville company that could service the product if needed.

Sheriff Aaron Rovenstine noted the Kosciusko County Jail and Sheriff’s Department have recently seen several separations, some of which were expected while others were not. Positions included the separation of a chief dispatcher, cooks, a jailer and a jail nurse. Rovenstine requested permission to fill the vacancies and noted the nurse is typically filled by an outside agency. Due to the fact the hiring is occurring mid-year, Rovenstine noted he would supply the council with an estimated salary for the position at a future meeting.

An additional request was heard from Director of Emergency Management Ed Rock, who came before the council to request funding for an emergency training seminar for structural collapse. Rock noted the funds would be 100 percent reimbursed through the state. The training would allow for a team to be assembled within the county to respond to collapses such as those that occur during a tornado. The course would last 80 hours. The total cost for the training will be $60,000.

The meeting commenced with numerous proposals for budgets from local nonprofit groups. Proposals  heard included the Animal Welfare League, the Beamen Home, Bowen Center, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice, Cardinal Services, Kosciusko Community Services and the St. Joseph River Basin. These presentations serve as a preliminary proposal to receive county funding at either the same or slightly increased levels. These requests will go before the county commissioners, who will send their recommendations for funding back to the county council. The council will then have the vote on funding requests.