Merit Board Adds New Members, Reorganizes For 2023
As each sheriff may appoint three members to the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board, the board started off its first meeting under Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith on Wednesday, Jan. 11, with three new faces on it: Bill Kelly, Dana Leon and Matt Heiman. Also returning to the board were Alan Alderfer and Travis McConnell, who were appointed by Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputies. From left: Alderfer, Smith, Kelly, Leon, Heiman and McConnell. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews
WARSAW — With a new sheriff, the makeup of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board has changed.
The board met for the first time under Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith on Wednesday, Jan. 11. As each sheriff may choose three members of the five-member board, Smith has chosen Dana Leon, Bill Kelly and Matt Heiman.
They join returning members Alan Alderfer and Travis McConnell, who were chosen by KCSO deputies.
The board voted to name Leon president and Alderfer secretary. Future board meetings will be at 11 a.m. on the second Thursday of each month in the sheriff’s office at the Kosciusko County Justice Building.
New Hires
The board also conditionally hired two new deputies.
The announcement on their identities will come later, as one of them needs to tell their former employer they’re leaving first, said KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand.
There are still three spots left to fill before the KCSO is fully staffed, he said.
Rule Changes
The board also approved several rank title changes suggested by Smith, to be added to merit rules.
The title lieutenant will be used for those over divisions, and the title corporal will be given to those in leadership positions who still fall beneath sergeants.
The latter is to create an in-between position to help prepare deputies for further leadership if their superior leaves, said Smith.
In other business, the board:
- Heard from Kosciusko County Administrator Marsha McSherry that the justice building’s new fire alarm system will be installed starting on Monday, Jan. 23.
