Ashley Jones (L) is sworn in by Pierceton Town Attorney Tammy Keirn as a reserve officer for the Pierceton Police Department, March 9. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

PIERCETON — The newest reserve officer for the Pierceton Police Department was sworn in at the town council meeting, Monday, March 9.

Ashley Jones was sworn in by Town Attorney Tammy Keirn. Jones’ family attended the council meeting for her swearing-in.

According to the introduction given by Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons, Jones is a U.S. Navy veteran. She is a full-time confinement officer for the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

“To get her to this point today,” said Sammons, Jones completed the pre-basic reserve officer course. She is currently enrolled in Kosciusko County Reserve Officer Academy, according to Sammons.

“It’s very difficult to get people who want to use their time in the community,” said Sammons.

“We’re fortunate enough again that somebody really genuinely has the passion to do that and serve the community,” he said.

In light of the 2020 Census, Sammons stressed that residents be cautious of providing personal information to anyone knocking on their doors.

If a resident feels unsure of the legitimacy of a census worker, he recommended contacting the police department to verify. “We can’t look into it if we don’t know about it,” he said.

Council President Tom Baker reminded residents of the importance census has for small towns like Pierceton. “Honest, accurate census information is important to local governments,’ said Barker. Local governments receive various funds based on population data taken from the most current census.

Other business included:

• The council announced that the Pierceton Park Board will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the community room at the Pierceton town office. Its next meeting is Wednesday, April 1.
• The council approved a motion to pass a resolution related to the 2020 budget due to an oversight in the budgeting process. The Law Enforcement Continuing Education Fund and Tax Increment Financing Funds are both pre-existing special distribution funds that the town didn’t report to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance when submitting its budget for 2020, according to Barker.

Town Attorney Tammy Keirn (left), Town Utilities Superintendent Casey Boggs (center), Town Council President Tom Barker. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.

From left: Council member Matt Brubaker and Council member Mandy Espinoza. InkFreeNews photo by Kory Stoneburner-Betts.