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Commissioners urge caution on hiring as state revenue outlook worsens
Summary
Citing a state revenue projection the board said was $2.4 billion worse than expected and possible impacts from Senate Bill 1, commissioners asked that open departmental positions be reviewed with the board before hiring decisions are made.
St. Joseph County commissioners on April 22 signaled caution on filling open county positions as state budget prospects shifted and legislative developments could affect local finances.
Commission President Baxmayer told the board that the state issued a revenue projection showing the budget $2.4 billion worse than expected and that, in conversations with legislators, "everything is back on the table" as lawmakers finish their session. "We don't know yet," Baxmayer said of final state actions.
In response, the board asked that departments not fill open positions without bringing the request to the commissioners for review. The restriction applies to department vacancies, not elected officials’ offices; commissioners said they were not issuing a blanket hiring freeze but want to vet openings before they are filled because some vacancies may be critical. No formal resolution or vote was recorded; the board described the guidance as a direction to county departments.
Commissioners said they expect more clarity when the state legislature concludes its session and the final revenue and policy decisions are known. Staff will return to the board as additional information becomes available.
