WARSAW — Kosciusko County officials appear to be pumping the brakes on plans for a city-county parking garage in downtown Warsaw. 

County Commissioner Cary Groninger, who has been the only firm supporter of the plan among the three commissioners, was asked Tuesday where the proposal stands.

“We're still in the process of trying to come up with what type of project or if we're even going to build a project,” Goninger said.

His comments came just days after a “visioning” group with the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative was lobbying in support of the $15 million proposal by distributing brochures to downtown merchants.

County officials have said in the past that they need more parking for downtown employees as well as the public, but concerns about property tax impact have clouded the issue, as well as two other unrelated library spending plans that have faced votes in recent weeks. 

News Now Warsaw spoke with Groninger after Tuesday’s meeting of the commissioners and was asked if there is a timeline.

“Not yet,” Groninger said. “I think we'll have a decision in the next six months, whether or not we're moving forward or … to hold.”

City and county officials have been discussing the construction of a parking garage for two years, with both sides saying the need for more parking is necessary to shore up the lack of convenient parking for county employees and the public who visit the county justice building.

The city says a parking garage would boost economic development, and county officials say it would free up more space for the long-term need for jail expansion.

Hanging in the balance is $5 million from the OIRI fund, but access to that money provided by state lawmakers is set to expire in 2027.

Conley and Mitchell have both acknowledged the need for more parking but have been reserved in their comments. 

Conley’s primary election opponent, Don Wiesehan, announced his opposition to the parking garage earlier this year and ended up winning the primary.

Groninger contends the county's share of money for the project is already set aside with money from its EDIT fund. 

The county has already acquired land for the property on Fort Wayne Street through eminent domain.

The post County’s decision on city-county parking garage in Warsaw not expected any time soon appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — A GOP candidate forum at the Warsaw Community Public Library Saturday afternoon touched on many topics, including whether the two candidates for Kosciusko County Commissioners support the proposed city-county parking garage.

Incumbent county commissioner Bob Conley and his primary opponent, Don Wiesehan,  were both asked to address the issue.

The county, which would operate the parking garage south of the courthouse, has already acquired land for the project and is working with the city of Warsaw on the joint venture.

Numerous city and county officials have expressed support for the parking garage, but ultimately, the decision is in the hands of the county commissioners.

Conley said the county and the downtown are facing parking challenges, but sounded noncommittal.

He stressed that no decision has been made, and if it is found to be necessary and feasible, he believes the commissioners will support it.

The project would rely in part on $5 million from the $30 million Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative, with more support coming from the city and county.

Supporters say the $5 million is a rare chance to support the project that might not otherwise be affordable.

Coney spoke first.

"If it's determined that the parking garage is a feasible answer to that ... I'm sure we would all — especially the commissioners — would take a long, hard look at that and make a determination based on what is best for the economy and the downtown area," Conley said.

Wiesehan said parking garages tend to require a lot of maintenance and upkeep, and he said the county needs to focus on adequately maintaining what they already have.

He said he thinks the county needs to first focus on maintaining its existing properties before looking at other projects.

He said he thinks parking garages often require significant maintenance and upkeep.

Weisehan said it comes down to fiscal responsibility.

"I am not, right now, for a parking garage," he said.

Both men also addressed an issue at a recent GOP fish fry in which supporters for Wiesehan claimed Conley had declined to serve those wearing Wiesehan shirts. 

Conley said he walked around at the event ready to provide more fish to those who were seated, but that Wiesehan's supporters did not reach out to him. He said it was a matter of people just raising their hands to alert him.

"They wanted fish, and all they had to do was state so. They never did," Conley said.

"My opponent was there for two hours, at six o'clock, the crowd thinned out. They weren't coming in the door (and) he quit," Conley said.

Wiesehan then disputed that last claim.

The annual fish fry continued until 7 p.m.

At some point, Wiesehan said he began talking to guests instead of serving fish. He said it's hard to shake hands when you're wearing big, heavy fish fry gloves.

"I was there the whole time, Bob, and I don't appreciate you saying I wasn't," Wiesehan said. "Was I serving fish the entire time? No, I was not."

About ten candidates participated in the two-hour event hosted by the Republican Women's Club.

Numerous questions focused on the state legislature’s attempts to provide property tax reform.

Lawmakers passed significant changes two years ago and then adjusted them again this year. 

Several county officials said they expect more changes next year as local taxing units struggle with the notion of reduced revenues needed to cover services.

County Councilman Dave Wolkins said the problem does not involve the legislature, but rather local boards that keep proposing new spending measures.

He lays the blame on local leaders.

“It's our local boards, it's our Kosciusko County Council, it's your city council, it's your library. We have a hard time saying no,” Wolkins said.

“We've got lots of requests coming in (and) The first question that's always asked is do we have the money, and yes we do … so it's very difficult for us to say no,” he said.

The post Conley and Wiesehan discuss parking garage and spar over fish fry claims appeared first on News Now Warsaw.