Commissioners approve CASA request to apply for grants, County Council considers on Thurs.

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 9:05 PM

By Kathy Bottorff

The Marshall County CASA program will seek approval from the County Council Thursday morning to apply for the 2025 State CASA Matching Grant and the Capacity Grant.

During the Commissioner’s meeting on Monday, Director Chastity Keller said each year the county’s CASA Program is given the opportunity to apply for a matching grant through the state. The grant application is due the first of October and this year the county’s program will receive $13,865 but must match those funds with $11,786 which is usually in the Circuit Court budget.

There is also an opportunity for a Capacity Building Grant of $5,943 that doesn’t require a match. Keller said these funds can only be used for volunteer retention, growing the volunteer group, along with advertising and training. She said these funds won’t be guaranteed until after the first of the year.

Keller said even with this funding her department will be about $30,000 short for next year.

Circuit Court Judge Janette Surrisi will be overseeing the CASA program and wants to work with the council to find a reliable funding source.

County Commissioner Kevin Overmyer commented that CASA funding had always been in the General Fund until last year when the County Council took out all their funds. They were looking for an alternative funding source but haven’t successfully figured it out yet.

The commissioner unanimously approved her request to apply for the grant funds, the council will consider the request at the Thursday morning meeting.

Other agenda items on the Council meeting include the Commissary Report by Sheriff Hassel, a discussion of the 2024 Plan Commission Budget and Greg Hildebrand from Marshall County Economic Development Corporation with a County Comprehensive Plan.

Following their regular meeting the County Council will begin the 2025 Budget process.

The council’s meetings are open to the public and streamed live off the county’s website at www.co.marshall.in.us.