Pictured, from left, are Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris McKeand and Sheriff Jim Smith. InkFreeNews photo by Liz Adkins.

By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Merit Board approved a cost-of-living adjustment for merit officers’ pensions during a Thursday, March 13, meeting.

Board Member Alan Alderfer said the COLA would be for future and prior retirees, and widows.

“We’ve done our due diligence and talked with multiple people about this,” said Alderfer.

Kosciusko County Sheriff Jim Smith said the topic will also be presented to the county’s council and commissioners.

Kosciusko County Councilman Tony Ciriello, a retired police officer, commended the board’s decision.

“I think it’s important you guys are taking this step and saying, ‘We care about you. We didn’t just forget about you,'” said Ciriello.

Board Member Matt Heiman said the adjustment might also entice people in wanting to stay at the sheriff’s office.

“We want to be the department that people want to go to, stay, and retire from, not just train from,” said Smith.

Camp HERO

In his update to the board, KCSO Public Information Officer Sgt. Doug Light said KCSO is gearing up for Camp HERO, which will be from July 29 to 31. KCSO is looking to have over 200 kids participate in this year’s event, which is still free to all participants.

Light estimated close to 140 kids participated in 2024. Smith said registration slots for Camp HERO fill up very quick.

“Having enough volunteers to come and help makes it possible,” said Smith. “We’re really making a push to get more volunteers to accommodate more kids.”

KCRP

The board also received an update on the Kosciusko Community Recovery Program. Smith and KCSO Chief Deputy Chris McKeand said the jail is close to having 100 inmates less in KCJ compared to March 2024, and attributed some of that to the KCRP.

“Logistically, what we’re running into is actually having room for everybody back in the jail to work,” said McKeand. “It’s an issue but for us, it’s not a bad issue, because that means we have all sorts of services coming in.”

Since beginning her job, KCRP Resource Navigator Shanna Wallen has worked with over 70 people, with only two of those individuals returning to jail.

The board also:

• Heard K9 Neville is set to retire at the end of March. The sheriff’s office is working on purchasing another dog to fill Neville’s position.
• Heard the Jail Chemical Addiction Program will resume in April, as JCAP Coordinator Casey Trombley has been on maternity leave.

The board’s next meeting is at 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 11.