The Dearborn County Council approved changes to the county's part-time wage scale that move the sheriff's front-desk position into a specialized pay tier and add a separate highway/CDL classification to that same tier.
A motion was made to move the sheriff's front-desk role into part-time level 3 (special skills) to reflect responsibilities for positions that may be armed or require additional training or certification. Council members then amended the motion to add a specific part-time level-3 classification for highway employees who hold a CDL; that amendment was seconded and approved.
Councilors and the county engineer discussed the variety of part-time duties across departments and noted that some part-time highway tasks (mowing, sign work) do not require a CDL while snowplow and truck-driving assignments do. County staff said they did not intend the change to tie the department hands and that the amendment would allow seasonal flexibility, especially during winter when CDL drivers are needed.
The motion, as amended, passed by voice vote. Council members said they will monitor the impact on payroll and staffing and return to the council if adjustments are needed.