Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
SILVER LAKE – At Wednesday night's meeting, the Silver Lake Town Council heard an update on the community center project, which a committee of members and Clerk-Treasurer Tonya Conley have been pursuing since 2022.
The town recently applied for a USDA grant but did not receive funding, as "the federal government has not given them their budget" and "they cannot give out any money at this time," Conley said of the USDA grant program.
Through a Patronicity campaign the town raised $67,825 in community donations. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) was set to match the donations up to $50,000 so in total the campaign raised $117,825 toward the project.
With these and other funds already received, Conley said the town is moving ahead with the community center project.
Ahead of the regular meeting, council held a public hearing to hear a resolution between two parties, David Basham and Jeffrey and Brenda Dotson, and their attorneys regarding a South Street vacation. Both parties agreed on a partial closure of 18.2 feet, leaving approximately 15 feet of alleyway and moving the boundary line southward.
Basham's attorney, Rama Sobhani, will submit an amended petition to council to be approved at the March regular meeting.
In new business, council signed to verify the 2025 annual financial report was submitted to the State Board of Accounts, and heard an update from Peggy Simmons of the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO).
Simmons gifted council a replica of the "Community of the Year Award," which the Indiana Chamber of Commerce presented to Kosciusko County for 2025, the first year that a county rather than a community has won the award.
Council also approved the 2026 KEDCO agreement.
Utilities Superintendent Joey McNeal requested approval of a quote from D&D Pump Service and Plumbing, the lowest of three quotes at approximately $8,400, for a new meter at the sewer ponds. Council approved the quote.
In other business, council:
• Heard Fire Chief John Conley's report of nine runs this month: one fire, three accidents and five assists at fires with other departments.
Council will next meet at 7 p.m. March 11.
