Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
MENTONE – Mentone Town Council approved Wednesday a resolution authorizing Council President Jill Gross to initiate or join a petition for annexation of land bordering town limits.
The property involved is described as the north 40 feet of lot 2 in Simpson Estates, or the “Jackson Street Extension,” and it is currently contiguous to but outside the corporate boundaries of the town of Mentone. The resolution states the town council believes it would be beneficial to annex the Jackson Street Extension into the corporate boundaries of Mentone.
The resolution gives Gross authorization to perform any and all acts, deeds or things and to sign or join any petitions and to execute, deliver or perform or cause the execution, deliverance or performance of any instruments and documents as she deems necessary.
Town attorney Austin Rovenstine said the resolution will allow Gross to do what she thinks is best in regards to the annexation and to get the ball rolling.
If the annexation does go forward, there will have to be a public hearing and a financial feasibility study.
Earlier in the meeting, the council had a hearing for its 2026 budget.
The proposed budget totals $814,400. The casino/riverboat fund is $10,000. The rainy day fund is $0. The general fund is $548,200. The local road and street fund is $17,500. The motor vehicle highway fund is $110,500. The cemetery fund is $12,700. The cumulative capital improvements fund is $2,500. The cumulative capital development fund is $15,000. The economic development fund is $98,000.
There were no public comments. The council will adopt the budget Oct. 1.
In other business, the council:
• Heard from Amy Roe, Kosciusko County community coordinator, about Thursday’s ribbon-cutting for the park upgrade.
The ribbon-cutting will be at 4:30 p.m. Speakers will include Gross.
• Heard from Roe about the Community Amenities Program (CAP). CAP was established through the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative (OIRI) and is managed by the K21 Health Foundation. The grant through CAP is up to $500,000 and is a dollar-for-dollar match. A letter of interest is requested to be sent in by December.
• Heard 106 families were served by the Northern Indiana Food Bank truck Tuesday.
• Heard 201 new water meters have been installed in town.
• Heard hydroseeding happened at the park Wednesday.
• Heard Rotors Over Mentone is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
• Approved a request from Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak to hire a part-time deputy clerk at $15 per hour, working about 25 hours a week.
• Heard the Mentone Maker’s Market and Antique fair is 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6 and 20.
• Gave Town Marshal Keaton Schopf permission to pursue a Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant to purchase a drone for the police department. He said it could benefit the entire town and the grant would cover the entire cost of the drone.
• Gave Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd permission to pursue a Community Crossing Matching Grant from the state.
