Kosciusko County Council met Thursday, March 11, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom. Pictured from left are council members: Kathy Groninger, Mike Long, Sue Ann Mitchell and Ernie Wiggins. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Council has approved raising the salaries of two maintenance employees.

That was after much discussion at its regular meeting on Thursday, March 11, at the Kosciusko County Courthouse’s Old Courtroom.

The raise is $2 more per hour. That amounts to $24 per hour or $50,112 annually.

“This was a difficult wrestle quite frankly but in the end the wage committee did recommend that we increase the wages for those two employees,” said County Councilwoman Sue Ann Mitchell, who serves on the committee. “It was felt that their job description did not fit what they were currently doing.”

Council members discussed how communication between entities involved could be improved.

“We’ve had multiple meetings with the maintenance staff and (County Administrator) Marsha (McSherry) and the sheriff. I mean there’s a lot of things that have happened kind of behind the scenes … to try and improve that communication and I do think that we’re making a lot of headway,” said County Commissioner Cary Groninger, who attended the meeting.

“I know that we’re having more meetings through the week just following up, much better communication going on, but I think the big thing that we’re seeing is for the duties that they’re performing at the level that they’re performing, they’re underpaid with what the market is,” he continued.

He and McSherry talked about how the county has had trouble filling a third maintenance position. People have applied and not shown up for interviews or have chosen to stay with their current jobs. The county was not able to pay what one applicant wanted, added McSherry.

That’s added to the work the other two must do.

County Councilman Mike Long said his concern was that the request was being sought outside of the normal budget process and he didn’t “want to get to the point to set precedent” of addressing issues that should have been solved earlier.

The council ultimately approved the raise. The council also approved a $48,024 salary for the third maintenance position, which amounts to $23 per hour.

McSherry noted the $23 per-hour pay rate was the highest someone would make and that they could make less depending on their skillset.

In other business, the council:

• Approved a $500,000 request from Bell Memorial Public Library Director Stephen Boggs.

That’s for library maintenance. Boggs first informed the council of the request at its January meeting. He said they hope to add LED lights, video security and ceiling fans among other things. The project will be paid for with the sale of bonds, and Boggs noted that the project would not affect the tax rate.

• Approved reappointing Frank Kurth to the Lakeland Regional Sewer District Board.

His term will end in April 2025.

• Approved appointing Jill Howard to the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Township Public Library Board.

Her term will end in December 2024.

• Approved a request from County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Shane Bucher to apply for a $10,000 reimbursement grant to increase patrols for school bus safety.
• Approved a request by County Emergency Agency Director Ed Rock to apply for a $16,000 reimbursement grant to use for cybersecurity.

The council’s next meeting is 6 p.m. Thursday, April 8, at the Old Courtroom.