Vigo County Council approves midyear pay‑grade change for auditor staff after debate over timing and budget impact

The Vigo County Council approved a request from Auditor Larry Hutchings to reclassify Judy Delisle from pay grade 10 to grade 12 and to make her a financial supervisor, following a debate about timing, budget impacts and fairness to other employees.

Larry Hutchings, the county auditor, told the council Delisle has tenure and performs duties comparable to two other financial supervisors already at grade 12. Hutchings said the change recognizes expanded duties and supervisory responsibilities. “She has tenure. She knows so much, and she’s benefited this county in so many ways,” Hutchings said when introducing the request.

Several council members questioned whether a midyear pay‑grade increase was the appropriate mechanism. One council member urged moving the change to the budget process or using overtime reductions to offset the increase. Hutchings and other staff said the auditor’s office will reduce future overtime requests and that the difference in overtime in question was roughly $7,000 annually.

During discussion, council members cited a Baker Tilly personnel study that recommended Delisle be at grade 12. The council also debated how much overtime remained in the auditor’s budget; staff estimated about $22,000 remained after recent payouts and rollovers. A council member called for greater clarity on the county’s overall fiscal position and urged the budget committee to produce a financial status update.

A motion to approve the pay‑grade change passed on roll call. The clerk recorded the motion as passing 4 yes, 2 no. Council members asked staff to report remaining overtime balances and overall general‑fund expenditures to the budget committee for review before further midyear personnel actions.

The record shows the council’s approval will increase the employee’s pay by $6,703.47 for the current pay period as presented in the agenda item.