WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council passed the 2017 Kosciusko County budget and the 2017 solid waste budget during a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The county budget for a total of $38,037,814 was passed with little discussion. The amount is up $3,207,476 or 8.6 percent from the current year’s budget. Council member Robert Sanders mentioned the increase of the budget is due to raising wages and higher insurance payments.

The council also approved several transfers. The council approved the commissioners’ transfer of $4,394.24 from reimbursement insurance to repairs and maintenance. The council approve the Sheriff’s Department’s transfer of  $6,933.37 from reimbursement insurance to vehicle replacement. They also approved the Sheriff’s Department’s transfer of $30,317.54 from reimbursement insurance to vehicle replacement.

The council approved several appropriations to the current budget.

The council approved appropriations for the amount of $1,304 to the sheriff for the reimbursement of uniforms. The Sheriff’s Department also received appropriations in the amount of $1,600 for travel for picking up inmates from other communities.

The local health maintenance review received $10,300 in appropriations for a vehicle.

The county general received appropriations of $25,000 for reimbursement for drug testing.

The emergency management received an amount of $35,000 to update radio equipment. These funds will go to upgrade radio equipment valued at half a million dollars. The state of Indiana has upgraded infrastructure and is requiring emergency organizations to do so by the middle of October explained Ed Rock the emergency management director.

Some of the council members had questions about the usefulness of this appropriation. Sanders asked, “If we don’t do it what do we have?” Rock replied, “We have 180 radios that don’t work.” The appropriation was approved unanimously.

Kosciusko County treasurer Sue Mitchell announced 164 parcels will be up for auction at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12. at the Kosciusko County Courthouse. Mitchell explained the parcels have been through prior tax sales.  Less than $600,000 is owned in taxes in total from the 164 parcels.

New council member and former mayor, Ernie Wiggins, attended his first meeting after being elected as a council member.

The next Kosciusko County Council will convene at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6.