WARSAW — Tuesday, June 27, at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners honored Eagle Scout Joseph Sunday, Leesburg, who was in attendance with his grandparents. Sunday, who is a member of Troop 726, chartered by the North Webster United Methodist Church, completed his Board of Review on May 4. Sunday is the son of Joe and Shelley Sunday.

The commissioners presented Sunday with a certificate for obtaining the level of Eagle Scout and for his outstanding and continued dedication to the Boy Scouts of America Organization. Kosciusko Commissioner President Brad Jackson congratulated Sunday for his achievement, adding that he (Jackson), Kosciusko Commissioner Ron Truex and Kosciusko Commissioner Vice-President Bob Conley had all been Boy Scouts but had never made it to the Eagle Scout level.

George Robertson, president of Kosciusko Economic Development Corp., gave a quarterly update report at the Kosciusko commissioners meeting. The report included information about current challenges such as the shortage of affordable housing in northeastern Indiana. Robertson went on to say that all ten counties in the northeast region of Indiana have reported issues with affordable housing, explaining, “We define affordable housing as being in the area of $120,000 to $180,000.” According to Robertson, a house in that price range in Kosciusko County is currently only on the market for an average of six hours.

Another challenge, said Robertson, is the lack of skilled workers. Robertson stated that talent recruitment and talent training is critical.

Dan Richard, area planning director, Kosciusko County Area Planning Commission, presented two rezoning requests. The first was for Mike and Karen Grady, who have petitioned to rezone 8.16 acres of their property, located on Syracuse-Webster Road, west of CR 700E in Turkey Creek Township, from agricultural to agricultural II. This tract was previously part of a larger tract of ground, but all the allowed sell-offs were exhausted. Mike Grady said he wants to create two lots, one of which already has his house on it and the other which would be used for his son to build a house. He has agreed that no more than two lots will be created. Richard said this request is being unanimously recommended by the Area Planning Commission. The commissioners approved the request.

The second rezoning request was for George Buckingham, who petitioned to have an additional 3/10 of an acre of his property rezoned from agricultural to residential. The property is a small, three-lot subdivision off the south side of Lake Tippecanoe in Plain Township. The APC recommended approval for the rezoning. The commissioners agreed, approving the request.

Kosciusko County Auditor Michelle Puckett submitted three items at today’s meeting, including the 2018 Holiday & Meeting Calendar, the Regional Public Safety Grant request and the Kosciusko County Fire Association Grant request. All three were approved by commissioners.

Kosciusko County Highway Superintendent Scott Tilden brought two quotes to the meeting. The first was from Rice Ford Lincoln, Warsaw, in the amount of $37,068.02 for a 2017 F Series truck. The second was from Kerlin Motors, Silver Lake, in the amount of $36,789.56 for a 2017 F550 truck. Tilden requested that he be allowed to review the quotes and to give his recommendation at the July 11 commissioner meeting. This request was approved.

Other news:

• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 11.
• Joetta Mitchell presented a bulk form copies ordinance from the Recorder’s Office, requesting a price increase to 15 cents per copy. This was approved by commissioners.