Council restores juvenile probation salary, transfers funds for duress-system upgrades

Porter County Council on Monday approved a budget transfer to restore a juvenile probation officer’s previous salary and to move funds for one-time upgrades to a duress alarm system at the Juvenile Services Center.

The council approved an additional $2,989 to the probation salary line and the return of about $19,000 previously reallocated last year so the officer can be returned from a detention management post to a probation officer role, county staff said. County staff also said about $15,000 of other equipment funding will be used for duress-system improvements at the juvenile facility.

The transfer was described to council members by Chris Beyer, county staff, who said the officer previously held the probation post, moved into a detention-manager role and requested to return to probation work. “We would like to bring him back over to the probation side,” Beyer said, and asked the council to restore the prior salary level so the county can rehire the same employee in the probation position. Beyer said the supplemental $2,989 matches the salary step and the roughly $19,000 being returned covers the lion’s share of the increase. He also confirmed $15,000 previously moved to equipment will pay for duress alarm upgrades.

Council members asked whether the salary restoration would create a recurring obligation. Beyer answered that the restored amount represents an ongoing salary (not a one-time payment) and would be paid from the probation salary line in future budgets. Council members also discussed how the $19,000 was originally freed when last year’s staffing change reduced the probation line and how the county planned to cover recurring costs in future budget cycles.

The motion to approve the transfer passed on roll call.

Looking ahead, county staff said they will continue to monitor salary lines during the budget cycle and would return to the council if additional ongoing funding is needed.