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Prosecutor asks for staff reallocation, commissioners approve $10,000 add to deputy-prosecutor post
Summary
Porter County's prosecutor outlined a reallocation of budgeted positions and sought an extra $10,000 to raise one deputy-prosecutor salary; the commissioners approved the changes and a separate $80,976 reallocation that moved a federally funded position out of the general fund.
Prosecutor Gary Grama told Porter County commissioners the prosecutor's office is reallocating vacancy and line-item funding to strengthen its criminal-justice capacity and to improve retention and recruitment. The office proposed reducing one general-fund position (an inquiry coordinator that had been vacant) and moving the funded salary lines into prosecutorial positions in the criminal division; the net package included a reduction of $80,976 in one general-fund line and increases across several deputy-prosecutor salary lines.
Grama said the reallocation creates a fuller salary level in the prosecutor's office and gives the office more flexibility across child-support and criminal divisions. "We really need help ... our criminal division is being overrun with cases," Grama said, describing a rise in felony and internet-crime-against-children prosecutions. He told commissioners the pretrial-diversion fund is in a healthy state and could be a source for the $10,000 add to deputy-prosecutor slot number 12; he also said the office could temporarily fund the increase itself if necessary.
Why this matters: the reallocation affects how many sworn and civilian attorneys are available for criminal cases and where federal and county funds may be applied. The prosecutor noted federal restrictions prevent some federally funded prosecutor positions from working in criminal prosecutions, so moving money between federal-funded and county-funded lines changes operational flexibility.
Commission action and next steps: Commissioners approved the $80,976 reallocation and the additional $10,000 for deputy prosecutor #12 in roll-call votes. County staff said the changes will be reflected in Form 144 accounting and that the prosecutor will report on sustainability during the next budget cycle. Grama said if necessary the prosecutor's office could request additional support at the upcoming budget hearings.
No amendments to statutory authority were requested; the board recorded the line-item changes and moved to implement payroll adjustments.
