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Kosciusko County Council approves $5,000 one‑time stipend for probation officers after heated debate, 4-3
Summary
The Kosciusko County Council voted 4-3 to approve a one-time, non‑base‑building $5,000 retention stipend for county probation officers to be paid from the probation user‑fee fund and revisited annually; judges asked for $10,000 and several council members opposed larger awards citing equity concerns for county employees.
The Kosciusko County Council voted 4-3 to approve a one‑time, non‑base‑building $5,000 retention stipend for county probation officers, to be paid from the probation user‑fee fund and revisited annually. The council specified the stipend would be paid out of the user‑fee account and would not increase base wages for state audits.
The judges who requested the stipend said the county relies on experienced probation officers and that retention is a pressing issue. Judge Beelerweis told the council the probation department’s work is critical to court operations and argued for additional compensation, saying the department has built "one of the finest probation departments around" through long service and expertise.
The council debate centered on two competing concerns: the courts’ argument that higher one‑time payments are needed…
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