Council approves several county personnel hires and raises including Burdett Park security pay boost

Vanderburgh County Council approved a package of personnel requests across several departments and increased hourly pay for two part‑time security positions at Burdett Park.

The council approved requests to fill two vacancies in the auditor’s office, several positions in the sheriff’s office, veteran services, weights and measures, and two prosecutor positions. The approvals were bundled and passed by voice vote after a council member moved to approve items d through i together.

Burdett Park Director Zach Waltham told council members he sought a $1.50 hourly increase for two part‑time security positions to help address chronic turnover and the difficult overnight and weekend hours. The council approved raising weekday security from $13.50 to $15 and weekend security from $16.50 to $18. Waltham said the park’s security posts are often filled by retired residents and that the hours—particularly 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekend shifts—make recruitment challenging.

Council members asked about law‑enforcement training and duties; Waltham said the security staff do not carry firearms or perform formal law‑enforcement duties and that the sheriff’s department responds to serious incidents. The security staff do perimeter checks, assist chalet guests, and provide first‑line crowd control at events.

A motion to approve the Burdett Park request carried by voice vote. Council members praised the park staff’s service and said the raise was intended to reduce turnover and reward long‑serving workers.

Outlook: County staff will implement the pay adjustments; the transcript did not specify the budget code that will fund the increases.