Pictured, from left, Commissioner President Cary Groninger and Vice-President Brad Jackson.

KOSCIUSKO — Commissioners approved Sheriff Kyle Dukes’ request for weekend medical staff at the Kosciusko County Jail during the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting held Tuesday, March 5. 

After thanking county commissioners and members of the county council for attending last week’s JCAP graduation, Dukes asked commissioners to approve a Quality Correctional Care agreement addendum. 

“February 1, with your permission, the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office brought in a new medical team to lead the jail,” said Dukes, who described the transition as “phenomenal.” 

“Things are going great. I want to take this to the next level,” Dukes said. “I want to provide nursing staff on Saturdays and Sundays.”

Dukes explained that currently jail officers are in the dual role of both jail officer and nurse on weekends. 

“It’s asking a lot,” said Dukes. “Yesterday I went back on one of my trips to the jail and I went into the nursing station and I really sat and looked at it and examined what they do. I have a whole new appreciation for nurses. They earn every dollar they make. The amount of medication, the bookings, the complaints — it just keeps going.”

Dukes also pointed out the liability issues of a jail officer having the responsibility of diagnosing inmates on the weekends and handing out medication. 

Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes

“We sat down with Quality and talked. For a Saturday and Sunday shift — and these are 14-hour shifts, the annual fee would be $28,130,” said Dukes. “I think at the end of the day, the inmate receives the quality care that he or she deserves in our facility. And also on our part, the liability is now off of us.”

“Gentlemen, I have the money,” Dukes continued. “I have the money budgeted already, I believe this is the right thing to do for Kosciusko County.” 

Commissioner Bob Conley inquired about the current procedure on weekends if an inmate becomes ill.

“On a medical complaint to the point where a jail officer takes it as far as he can take it, we then go to KCH or Lutheran or whatever,” said Dukes. “I think too that having a nurse there on a Saturday or Sunday to diagnose is also going to save the county at the end, not so much liability but in medical bills as far as taking everybody out to our local hospitals.”

Conley brought up potential security issues with transporting inmates to local hospitals. 

“Often times with people who feign to be ill, it creates real issues and this is going to go a long way toward trying to help solve this,” said Conley. 

County Assessor Susan Engleberth told commissioners that Dave Knisley, a member of the Property Tax assessment Board of Appeals, recently submitted his resignation. Engleberth asked that Phyllis Bolinger be appointed as Knisley’s replacement. 

“She previously worked for Indiana Assessment Services,” said Engleberth. “She is very much educated for assessment services.” This request was approved.

Anna Bailey, director of Kosciusko Community Corrections, requested approval to apply for two grants.

The first grant is in the amount of $140,184 and relates to the drug court program. The second grant, for the community corrections home detention program, is for $413,700. Bailey told commissioners she is also requesting an additional drug court case manager and another home detention officer. Commissioners approved Bailey’s requests.

County Attorney Chad Miner said the Tippy-Chapman Regional Sewer District petition was submitted to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management in December. After completing their preliminary review, IDEM found two minor issues that need to be addressed. The first is that data on median income must be included. The second issue is that the original petition was sent up so that, in the event that waste would end up going to Lakeland Regional Sewer District, Lakeland would appoint a member to the board of trustees. Miner said it appears that Lakeland is not an appropriate body to make that kind of appointment, so attorneys at Ice Miller LLC, Indianapolis, prepared an addendum to the petition which would substitute the commissioners for Lakeland. Commissioners approved these changes.

Other News:

• Jon Kimple, Warsaw, was honored as veteran of the month. 
• Commissioners approved a purchase agreement for two buses presented by Amanda Landis, general manager at Kosciusko Area Bus Service.
• An estimate of $15,949.17 from BC Tile & Floor Covering, Syracuse, for flooring in the Area Planning Commission office was approved. 
• A request by Kosciusko County Sheriff Chief Deputy Shane Bucher regarding the purchase of four patrol fleet vehicles including two SUVs, one pickup truck and one car was approved.
• Commissioners approved Miner’s request to send a 90-day notice to CSI for termination of contract due to the court system switching to Odyssey software. 
• The next regular meeting will be held at 9 a.m. Tuesday, March 19.